Former South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt wants his job with the Bulls back as he insists his dismissal for allegedly striking one of his players and then lying about the incident was unwarranted.

Leavitt was fired last week after an investigation by university officials found that he grabbed one his athletes by the throat, slapped the player in the face and then lied about what occurred at intermission of the Bulls game against the Louisville Cardinals on November 21st.

"The allegations were misreported," said Leavitt. "I want to coach this football team, this is the greatest job in the country, this is the greatest place to live, these guys are special, and I love my players, and I'm going to battle for my players in every way I can."

The law firm of Florin Roebig is now working for Leavitt.

They released a statement saying that the firing was not consistent with the terms of Leavitt's contract. They also contend that based on the facts, the coach's termination was not warranted.

According to Leavitt and his attorneys, the coach has never struck a player. He said was trying to lift the spirits of a player who was "down" when he grabbed the player's shoulder pads during halftime of the Louisville game.

Even the player's father told reporters that Leavitt did not strike his son but rather grabbed him by the shoulder pads while trying to motivate his boy.

Leavitt said his relationship with his players is the most important thing to him, adding he has remained at USF for so long because he loves his job, even though he has been offered other coaching jobs paying more money.