BREAKING: Jim Leavitt set to become new FAU defensive coordinator

During the 2019 season under Glenn Spencer, the defense led the nation in turnover margin and interceptions.

Jim Leavitt worked with new FAU head coach Willie Taggart when he was the defensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks in 2017. Photo courtesy of the University of Oregon Athletics.

Zachary Weinberger, Sports Editor
December 21, 2019

Jim Leavitt is set to become the new defensive coordinator for FAU starting next season, replacing Glenn Spencer, Bruce Feldman from The Athletic first reported.

 

 

Leavitt has worked with new FAU head coach Willie Taggart as a defensive coordinator in the past. In 2017, Leavitt was the defensive coordinator for Taggart at the University of Oregon. The Ducks went 7-6 that season.

 

This move comes after Spencer and the defense led the country in turnover margin (+20) and interceptions (21). 

 

FAU’s defense also ranked third in Conference USA in points allowed per game with 22.3.

 

Leavitt’s most recent job was being a defensive analyst for the Florida State University Seminoles in the 2019 season. Taggart coached most of the season for the Seminoles but was fired with three games left to go. 

 

Leavitt was the head coach at USF from 1997-2009 where he totaled a 95-57 record during his time with the Bulls.  

 

When it’s official, this will be the first major hire under Taggart.

 

Spencer will coach his final game for FAU at the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl Saturday as he’s filling in as the interim head coach after Lane Kiffin departed to Ole Miss. 

 

Zachary Weinberger is the sports editor of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @ZachWeinberger.