Running off at the typewriter. …
Late, great Florida State football coach/comedian Bill Peterson once joked that he didn’t get “inducted” into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame — he got “indicted” into it.
Well, believe it or not, USF has turned Coach Pete’s quip into a policy manual.
A few days ago, the school has made one of the most gutless decisions of the year: Jim Leavitt, the man who built its football program from scratch, will go into the Bulls’ Athletic Hall of Fame — but won’t be allowed to attend the ceremony. His name won’t even be announced from the stage. Think about that. A Hall of Fame induction where the honoree is treated like Voldemort. “He Who Must Not Be Named” — except on a plaque that will probably be hidden somewhere in the Hall of Fame basement, hanging next to the mop bucket.
Here’s the problem: if USF believes Leavitt has earned the Hall, then stand up and own it. Put him on stage. Hand him the green jacket, or ring, or plaque, or whatever trinket they hand out. Let him wave to the crowd. Let him bask in the awkward applause. Don’t hide him like a dirty secret behind the curtain. And if the school believes he doesn’t belong — for the reasons everyone knows — then do the courageous thing and rescind the honor.
Because everyone does know the reasons. Leavitt was fired in 2010 after USF concluded he grabbed walk-on player Joel Miller by the throat and slapped him during halftime of a game, then tried to cover it up. Miller never escaped the stigma of being “the kid who got his coach fired.” He struggled for years, withdrawing from the game he loved, and died in 2017 at just 29 years old. His family has never stopped speaking out against USF glorifying the man who harmed him.
So what does USF do now? They split the baby. They want the credit for recognizing their founding father, while trying to dodge the backlash for celebrating him. It’s cowardice in its purest form. They’ve turned the Hall of Fame into a hall of half-measures.
“I find it outrageous and very disappointing,” says Kathy Miller, the mother of Joel Miller. “You can’t have it both ways — either he’s worthy of full recognition or he isn’t worthy of the Hall of Fame.”
The school’s explanation that Leavitt’s presence would “overshadow” the other inductees is laughable. That’s the point of a Hall of Fame. The big names always overshadow the lesser names. When Michael Jordan went into Springfield, did they worry about him overshadowing Chris Mullin?
Memo to USF: If you can’t stomach Leavitt’s shadow, then don’t put him on the wall.
Because here’s the truth: USF didn’t solve anything. They just ensured both sides are angry. Leavitt’s supporters see the treatment as insulting. His detractors see the induction as disgraceful. The Miller family has to relive the trauma, while Bulls fans are left scratching their heads at a university incapable of conviction.
Joel Miller (25) of the USF Bulls runs off the field with the trophy after a 31-26 bowl victory over Clemson in 2010. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
A Hall of Fame should be about clarity. You’re either in or you’re out. You’re celebrated or you’re disqualified. What USF created instead is a limbo of shame. They want Leavitt’s wins without his presence, his plaque without his face, his history without his baggage.
You know what Jim Leavitt should do? He should do the right thing and decline the honor himself. Don’t let the university give you the silent treatment at the very moment they’re supposedly honoring you. Pull a Groucho Marx and tell USF’s Hall of Fame: “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” …
Short stuff: A message to members of the UCF football team: Please know that so many of us are thinking of you in love and prayer during the heartbreaking loss of offensive line coach Shawn Clark earlier this week. Coach Clark’s legacy reaches far beyond football. Throughout his career, he poured his wisdom, strength and love into young men, leaving a lasting impact that will never fade. Grief is heavy, but you are not carrying it alone. As you take the field on Saturday, remember that Coach Clark’s spirit goes with you, in every snap, every block, and every step forward. May you honor him with the way you play —and the way you live. Charge on! …
Did you see where the key witness in the murder case against a former Miami Hurricanes football player Rashaun Jones — accused in the 2006 killing of teammate Bryan Pata — has been found? Florida prosecutors have repeatedly told a court that witness Paul Connor was dead, but ESPN reporters knocked on an apartment door in Louisville recently and Connor answered. Turns out he was very much alive and didn’t even know police were looking for him. Doesn’t it make you wonder about our criminal justice system when ESPN does a better job finding witnesses than the state does? …
The kickoff of Saturday’s Clemson-North Carolina game has been moved to 10 a.m. and will be televised on the Cartoon Network. … … The SEC announces it’s going to a nine-game conference schedule, and a month later the ACC does the same thing. In other words, the SEC made the move, and the ACC followed right behind like a kid brother, saying, ‘Yeah, me too! I was totally gonna do that first.” … Mark Twain: “Reports of the Detroit Lions’ death have been greatly exaggerated.” … Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl retired earlier this week and his son, Steven, is taking over the program. Hey, I’m not saying nepotism is involved here, but it seems the best way to climb the coaching ladder at Auburn is to start on daddy’s shoulders. …
Jaguars star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has as many drops as he does catches this year. Coming soon: Jaguars depth chart lists him as first-team juggler. … The Tampa Bay Bucs are 3-0 and have won all three games on the final drive. In other words, they should be playing in the NBA, where nothing meaningful happens until the last two minutes. … Four words I never thought I would say: “Daniel Jones for MVP!” … Questions: Why is it called a building if it’s already been built? Why is the slowest checkout line always the one I’m in? Why is Joe Flacco still starting for the Browns? … Mikey likes: UCF over Kansas State by 7, FSU over Virginia by 14, Open Date over Gators by 1, Eagles over Bucs by 5, Jags over 49ers by 4, Dolphins over Jets by 2, Tylenol over President Trump by 3 fact-checks and 2 migraines. …
Last word: I’m not saying Billy Napier’s offense is bad, but every time the Gators get near the red zone, the officials ask them for a passport.
Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my new radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen
