Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Leavitt to stick around, WBB looking for postseason berth

The only football coach USF has ever known has decided to stick around the Bay area a little while longer. On Monday, Jim Leavitt signed a contract extension that runs through 2014 and increases his annual salary to around $1.5 million per season.

No funding from the state was used in the deal.

During his 11 seasons, Leavitt has led the Bulls to a 79-47 record (63%) and three consecutive Bowl games (1-2).


Now, lets talk women's hoops. The Bulls ended the season needing two wins and help just to get into the Big East Tournament. The Bulls upset both Pittsburgh (at home) and Marquette (on the road) to earn the No. 11 seed in the Tournament.

While in Hartford, USF pulled off another upset, knocking off No. 6 seeded Syracuse 68-67 in overtime to become just the fifth No. 11 seed to advance into the second round.

The Bulls luck, however, ran out on Sunday. The Bulls lost 64-42 to No. 3 seed (and No. 14 ranked in the nation) West Virginia.

Bulls junior guard Shantia Grace was also recently named to the All-Big East Conference second team, after finishing the season fourth in the Big East in points (18.6) and sixth in the Conference in assists (4.1) per game.

All of the upsets that USF ended its season with did a lot for USF, namely giving the team some life at making a postseason tournament for the fifth straight year. The Bulls finished 16-15, 5-11 on the season.

-Joe Rienzi

No comments: