The University of South Florida rejected Jim Leavitt's argument that before firing him as head football coach, the university should have met with him and given him access to witnesses who said he grabbed a player by the throat and slapped him.
USF Provost Ralph Wilcox, who met with Leavitt and his attorneys Wednesday, said the circumstances of Leavitt's case justified USF's decision to forego a "pre-termination" meeting.
"I base this first on the best interests of the university as represented by our obligation to ensure the personal safety and welfare of students, and second on the pressing need to maintain the integrity of football operations," Wilcox wrote in a letter Thursday to USF President Judy Genshaft.
Genshaft accepted Wilcox's recommendation that the school uphold Leavitt's firing and wrote him a letter saying his termination was "final and binding."
Leavitt was fired Jan. 8 in the aftermath of a Nov. 21 incident at halftime of the Louisville game. A university investigation concluded Leavitt grabbed Joel Miller by the throat and struck him twice, then lied to investigators to cover it up.
At a "post-termination" meeting Wednesday, Leavitt repeated his denials that he hit or choked anyone, lied, or interfered with USF's investigation. He added that before firing him, USF should have given him all evidence against him.
His attorneys said USF had violated Leavitt's contractual and constitutional rights.
Wilcox disagreed, saying in his letter that Leavitt presented no new information to justify his reinstatement.
"Based upon USF's past actions in this matter, the decision was not unexpected. Coach Leavitt is disappointed in the decision and the refusal of his reinstatement," Leavitt's attorneys, Florin Roebig, said in a statement.
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