USF Leavitt Strikes Player or Media Strikes Leavitt???

In an interesting article written today over at FanHouse.com... Tampa Tribune writer, Brett McMurphy claims that the University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt "struck" a player during the half-time session of a regular season game (2009).

See Article here: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/12/14/sources-south-floridas-leavitt-struck-player/1#comments

According to McMurphy the player, sophomore walk-on Joel Miller of Special Teams was approached by Leavitt during a home game against Louisville, during which time the coach "grabbed Miller by the throat and struck him twice."  McMurphy continues to cite various "anonymous sources" who back up Miller's claim and McMurphy's story.

At this point in time, though the subject matter of the "abuse of a student" is no-doubt a serious matter that should be bringing credible witnesses out of the woodwork... no such credible sources have come forward to acknowledge the validity of these claims. 

Further digging revealed that no such evidence of improper conduct from the part of Coach Leavitt has ever occured during his 13 year tenure at the University of South Florida or prior.  However, it did reveal Leavitt's demasculating post-game comments toward... YOU GUESSED IT... Brett McMurphy.

See Video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbaWrkBhHIY

Following the Louisville game that said events had allegedly occurred, Joel Miller has stated to the press that he wishes to "stay with the USF football" team and continue to play for Coach Leavitt.  Miller's father and former Tampa police officer, Paul Miller, though disgruntled, has no problem with his son's decision. 

Now I'm not a crisis counselor, but that seems like a pretty odd reaction for a family after a child has been choked and beaten.

Being the naive believer that I am... I am sure that Brett McMurphy's spite toward Jim Leavitt has nothing to do with McMurphy's claims and lack of evidence in this article. I am also sure that the fact that this story arising just days after Kansas head coach Mark Mangino resigned due to similar allegations of ill treatment toward players making it a hot topic... is pure coincidence. 

Oh and I am also very sure that I got a really good deal on a really nice bridge that someone sold me.  You know... the one that let's you see both sides.