Skip Holtz to South Florida

East Carolina's Skip Holtz has taken the job at South Florida, CBSSports.com has learned.

One of the most respected coaches in the game, Holtz went to the Bulls after his name had been mentioned for several openings in the last few years. Holtz was contacted Saturday night by the school after Jim Leavitt was fired on Friday. Leavitt was accused of grabbing a player by the throat and slapping him twice.

A school investigation contended that not only was the accusation true but also that Leavitt had impeded the investigation.

The hiring of Holtz perhaps begins the healing process at South Florida. Holtz, son of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, is known as an overachiever having led both Connecticut and East Carolina to first-place finishes in their conferences.

In his last season at UConn, Holtz led the Huskies to their first-ever I-AA postseason. His past two East Carolina teams have won Conference USA titles. In 2007 and 2008 he led the Pirates to three consecutive victories over ranked teams (Boise State in the bowl; Virginia Tech and West Virginia to begin the 2008 season). At South Florida, he will have access to better players with better facilities and be playing for a BCS bowl each year.

Bobby Bowden gave Holtz his first job in 1987 as a grad assistant at Florida State. Holtz coached with his father at Notre Dame and South Carolina. He was offensive coordinator at both schools.

Other names associated with the job include Michigan assistant Calvin Magee, Florida assistant Dan McCarney and Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. Canesport.com reported Wednesday that Whipple had become the leading candidate.

"There's a lot of positives to it," Holtz said Tuesday of South Florida. "It's definitely an up and coming program."

Holtz was 38-27 in five years at East Carolina and is 76-49 overall.

Scapegoats, I completely agree. I think there's a huge opportunity for USF to elevate themselves above Florida State and Miami in terms of prestige. Look how far they've come in such a short period of time as a D-1 program. I also have no doubt that Skip Holtz will excel even further than he already has as a HC at USF.

Skip Holtz to South Florida

What would give you the indication that USF could win the National Title??....USF plays in the Big East which works for and against them. Since the schedule is not too tough (since USF plays in Big East) and other teams from Big 12, SEC or Big Ten have same records that USF has then there would be no chance at title...SORRY. That is the crap known as the current college football setup(See Cincy last yr). No playoffs equals very little chance USF ever gets to a title game. Plus they will still get leftovers from FLORIDA (Top program) , Miami (on way back up), Florida State (rebuilding finally and has good QB coming back) and whatever SEC teams wants to swoop in a grab some top recruits. No doubt USF will grab some good high school players here and there but they will be second or third level guys.

Skip is a good coach but not sure if he has been annointed "Great" yet.

Scapegoats Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 18, 2008	Posted on: January 14, 2010 12:51 pm Score: 84 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida The South Florida job is going to be a really good job in the years to come. This is a program that could win a national title in the next decade. [ Reply to Comment ]
The Bluths Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 5, 2008	Posted on: January 14, 2010 12:57 pm Score: 60 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida Leach to ECU - he's always wanted to be a Pirate. [ Reply to Comment ]
Bagel90 Reputation: 49 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 23, 2008	Posted on: January 14, 2010 12:57 pm Score: 26 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida lol good one bluths [ Reply to Comment ]
9inchHammer Reputation: 41 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 10, 2009	Posted on: January 14, 2010 12:58 pm Score: 13 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida Great move. UF, UM, FSU will take a back seat to USF within the next 5 years. [ Reply to Comment ]
dcdrew19 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jan 14, 2010	Posted on: January 14, 2010 1:00 pm Score: 73 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida Scapegoats, I completely agree. I think there's a huge opportunity for USF to elevate themselves above Florida State and Miami in terms of prestige. Look how far they've come in such a short period of time as a D-1 program. I also have no doubt that Skip Holtz will excel even further than he already has as a HC at USF. [ Reply to Comment ]
Pawn No Longer Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 26, 2006	Posted on: January 14, 2010 1:01 pm Score: 89 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida South Florida may have been the best open job in the country. Low Pressure but in a hotbed recruiting area with a school that's not affraid to take chances on discipline cases in a conference where every team is at least competative, save two. [ Reply to Comment ]
ReverendPigskin Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 4, 2008	Posted on: January 14, 2010 1:02 pm Score: 66 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida Bluths, That is, quite frankly, a five-star comment. Hysterical. I laughed, I cried, I squinted my eyes and said, "Arrrghhh!" - The Rev [ Reply to Comment ]
Orlando Cowboy Reputation: 27 Level: Rookie Since: Feb 3, 2009	Posted on: January 14, 2010 1:03 pm Score: 85 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida What would give you the indication that USF could win the National Title??....USF plays in the Big East which works for and against them. Since the schedule is not too tough (since USF plays in Big East) and other teams from Big 12, SEC or Big Ten have same records that USF has then there would be no chance at title...SORRY. That is the crap known as the current college football setup(See Cincy last yr). No playoffs equals very little chance USF ever gets to a title game. Plus they will still get leftovers from FLORIDA (Top program) , Miami (on way back up), Florida State (rebuilding finally and has good QB coming back) and whatever SEC teams wants to swoop in a grab some top recruits. No doubt USF will grab some good high school players here and there but they will be second or third level guys. Skip is a good coach but not sure if he has been annointed "Great" yet. [ Reply to Comment ]
Astutefl Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jan 14, 2010	Posted on: January 14, 2010 1:04 pm Score: -10 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida I rahter have Fulmer, but Holtz is better than the Off. Coor. & Def. Coor. names that were out there. [ Reply to Comment ]
tstought Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 22, 2009	Posted on: January 14, 2010 1:08 pm Score: 85 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Skip Holtz to South Florida I hate to see this. I am a Carolina fan, but live in Greenville. Skip is a great coach and has done so much for the ECU program and Greenville. I hate to see him go, but congrats to him. Great hire for South Florida [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

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