Leavitt: Expectations Will Be High

[TyBull]

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070616&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=706160480&SectionCat=SPORTS14&Template=printart

Published Saturday, June 16, 2007

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Leavitt: Expectations Will Be High

By Rick Brown

The Ledger

LAKELAND - Jim Leavitt said he is just as comfortable, if not more comfortable swinging a golf club as he is pacing up the sidelines coaching the South Florida Bulls football team.

"I'm out there having a good time,'' he said. "I don't put any expectations on that swing of mine. I'm not very good.''

That is not the case when he is roaming the sidelines. The head coach of the Bulls expects - no demands - things done the right way.

So far, things have gone that way.

Leavitt was part of USF's Around the Horns tour Friday at the Eaglebrooke Golf Club in South Lakeland. He took in a round of golf, then spoke briefly to USF boosters, fans and supporters about the upcoming season, where expectations surrounding the program are high.

The Bulls, coming off of a 9-4 season and their first bowl victory (Papajohns.com Bowl) are ranked 21st in The Sporting News preseason rankings.

"We have a lot of talent,'' Leavitt said of the squad. "The question is do we have the leadership. We lost Stephen Nicholas and Pat St. Louis. It's going to be tough replacing those guys.

"There is going to be adversity,'' he said. "It's going to hit. So, you need leaders to get you through.''

One of the guys Leavitt is depending on is sophomore quarterback and Lake Gibson graduate Matt Grothe.

Grothe, the 2006 Big East Rookie of the Year, set all of USF's freshman quarterback records after accumulating 3,198 total yards (2,576 passing, 622 rushing) and nine rushing touchdowns - all freshmen records. Plus his 63.7 completion percentage was also a school record regardless of class.

Grothe suffered a broken leg in the bowl game but was ready by spring practice. Leavitt said he is ready to go.

"Matt is tough,'' Leavitt said. "He's going to have to be on guard this year. He can not allow himself to slack off. Plus, he's going to have to avoid all those expectations that are sometimes surreal. Some think he's bigger than life and he's not.

"Matt is going to have to be more consistent and take care of the ball better,'' Leavitt said. "And he has to continue to get command of the offense. But I expect him to be better.''

The schedule is tough, with road games against Auburn, Rutgers and Pittsburgh with West Virginia, Cincinnati and Louisville all coming to Raymond James Stadium.

"But I think the Big East is wide open,'' he said. "There's a lot of parity. I don't know if the winner of the Big East is going to be undefeated.

"Everyone says we had a good year last year,'' he said. "We didn't win the Big East, so I don't know how good it was. Our first goal is to win the Big East. Anything after that would be great.''

[BULLfreak]

great read

[Rizman]

I like to hear what Leavitt has to say, makes me feel good.  He is realistic.  We will have some challenges, some success and probablly some setbacks.  Season will tell.

Thanks for the link TyBull

[crambone]

GO LAKELAND!

[SRQ]

Good opportunity for Polk county Bulls to call/email Ledger sports editor and thank him for the coverage.

[E.T.]

Good opportunity for Polk county Bulls to call/email Ledger sports editor and thank him for the coverage.

And will be doing it . . . Go BULLS !!!

[USF-PMR]

Bravo Jim - give em he double tooth picks this year!  We will be watching from the sidelines.

[LakeBull]

My hopes are high.  All the youth, some unproven, in key positions is helping keep my expectations in check. 

[bulls96go]

just win jim

git 'er don'!