And we are screwed . . . . NOW (Kravitz)

[Guest PariahII]

Aka: Well there goes the good part of the team . . .

USF Loses Defensive Coordinator, Former Top Recruit

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By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: Feb 7, 2006

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TAMPA - University of South Florida co-defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz, the first assistant hired by Coach Jim Leavitt, accepted a job as safeties coach at N.C. State on Monday.

Kravitz, 51, was one of only three assistants who had been a part of USF's program since it began in 1996.

Kravitz replaces Manny Diaz, who was named defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State last month.

Kravitz and Leavitt could not be reached for comment.

Kravitz was defensive coordinator at West Alabama (1994-95) and Florida A&M (1986-93) before coming to USF. At USF, Kravitz was promoted to assistant head coach in 2001 and switched from coaching linebackers to defensive backs.

Besides losing Kravitz, USF dismissed sophomore wide receiver Johnny Peyton for violation of team rules Monday, and sophomore linebackers Josh Balloon, of Jefferson, and Ronnie McCullough, of Hillsborough, and freshman running back Chad Simpson said they are transferring to other schools.

Peyton, out of Pasco High, was one of USF's highest-rated recruits in 2004. He was the Bulls' leading receiver as a freshman and had a team-high three TDs as a sophomore. Peyton was not allowed to attend the Meineke Car Care Bowl against N.C. State because he was tardy or missed various team functions throughout the year.

Peyton would not comment Monday but said he wants to remain at the Division I-A level. Big East rules prohibit him from transferring to another league school.

Simpson, from Miami's Edison High, was USF's leading kick returner (25.4 average, including a 94-yard touchdown against Louisville) and also led USF running backs in yards per carry (5.6 on 16 carries).

"I showed big-play ability, and they wouldn't let me play," Simpson said. "That's crazy. They weren't being truthful. I don't feel like they gave me a chance.

"I didn't need to start, I just wanted to play. I want to go somewhere I can get a fair shot. They won't let me play here, so why should I stay and let them mess me over again?"

Simpson, who told teammates in November he was leaving, said he's considering Michigan or Kansas State.

Balloon and McCullough, who were stuck in backup roles, had a combined three career starts.

Bethune-Cookman is a possible destination where the former local standouts may transfer. By transferring to a Division I-AA school, they would each have two years of eligibility remaining.

Both Balloon and McCullough's fathers said Monday they were unaware of their son's decisions to leave USF.

•USF will play five of its first six games of 2006 without leaving the state as part of the school's first 12-game regular-season schedule.

USF's home schedule consists of only one Division I-A team that had a winning record last season (Rutgers, Sept. 30). The Bulls play four of their final six games on the road, including consecutive games at Louisville (Nov. 18) and West Virginia (Nov. 25) to end the season.

Four of USF's six road opponents went to bowl games last season.

Spring practice begins March 21. The spring game is April 15 at Raymond James Stadium.

MIAMI: Longtime Wisconsin assistant head football coach John Palermo has accepted a job as defensive line coach.

Clint Hurtt, a former Miami player, was hired as assistant defensive line coach. Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon will coach linebackers, Coach Larry Coker said.

The staff changes come after Coker fired four assistants a month ago.

Palermo was Wisconsin's assistant head coach for 15 years under Barry Alvarez, who stepped down after the 2005 season.

Palermo was outside linebackers coach for the Badgers from 1991 to 1995 and defensive line coach the past 10 seasons.

Hurtt was defensive line coach at Florida International in 2005 and a graduate assistant at Miami in 2003-04. He was a three-year letterman for the Hurricanes as a defensive lineman before an injury ended his career in 2001.

http://bulls.tbo.com/bulls/MGB2FFTQDJE.html

[Feld44]

Its a sad day to be a Bull with the loss of Kravitz. He was a good coach and an even better person. He will be missed. On the other side, not much of a loss with Peyton being dismissed. A distraction on and off the field with his attitude and poor work ethic. We'll be fine without him.

[Bulls 1]

Something is not right.  He goes from a defensive coordinator to a safeties coach!!!  Is it the Money?

[ChiTownBull]

sad that he goes from co-defensive coordinator to safeties coach....shows that even though we played nc st in a bowl game we are way behind them as a program.

[BullDoug]

Kinda interesting 'cuz I had a big time USF fan and personal acquaintance of Kravitz guarantee me he wouldn't go anyplace for a better job.  Mutt, you know who I'm talking about.  What's up?  What's Coach/Art think or know?

[Kyle]

Did Chad Simpson really think he was going to see time behind Andre Hall and Ricky Ponton? Those comments were kind of silly...he made one play all year.

[___ Eats It]

Did Chad Simpson really think he was going to see time behind Andre Hall and Ricky Ponton? Those comments were kind of silly...he made one play all year.

Didn't Chad have like 75 yards against UCF?  Of course, Christopher Reeve (in his wheelchair) could have gotten at least 50 against that run defense, but still...

[smazza]

i have said this many times

our offense doesn't include enough players

we can have half the roster because leavitt doesnt play alot of kids

kravitz must hate leavitt

king leavitt has problems it seems

the good news is

i dont buy kravitz was such agood recruiter

we can do better than him but leavitt makes such bad decisions

[Guest BullsFans]

It's sad when  an Assistant Head Coach/ Co-Defensive Coordinator/DB's  leaves to take a job as a Safeties Coach

Rick Kravitz

Coaching Experience

Year School/Team Assignment

1979 Lakewood HS Defensive Coordinator

1980 Countryside HS Assistant

1981 Countryside HS Assistant

1982 Countryside HS Assistant

1983 Countryside HS Assistant

1984 Countryside HS Assistant

1985 Florida A&M Graduate Assistant

1986 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1987 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1988 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1989 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1990 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1991 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1992 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1993 Florida A&M Defensive Coordinator

1994 West Alabama Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

1995 West Alabama Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

1996* USF Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

1997 USF Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

1998 USF Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

1999 USF Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2000 USF Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2001 USF  Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator

2002 USF Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator

2003 USF Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator

2004 USF Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/DB's

*USF did not play games in 1996

[BULLheaded]

what a depressing morning  

I'm trying to imagine the season with the same offense and a potentially worse defense. Wow, what an awfull day.