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After much speculation, former Ducks defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, who resigned from his position earlier in 2019 has a new job. He has been hired as an defensive analyst for Florida State University.
SOURCE: #FSU is hiring Jim Leavitt as an analyst. He is expected to help DC Harlon Barnett by bringing another experienced voice in the def. staff room to aid w/ game-planning. Leavitt was Willie Taggart’s DC when he took an Oregon D that ranked No. 115 and improved it to No. 32.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 11, 2019
While the Seminoles' offense has tangibly improved under offensive coordinator Kendall Briles, the defense has languished under DC Harlon Barnett. Coach Barnett's stop unit was heavily criticized by head coach Willie Taggart at this week's press conference.
FSU had an opening for an analyst position earlier this week and it appears that Leavitt filled it.
One can speculate about Harlon Barnett's future in Tallahassee with this hiring should the defense not improve.
Coach Leavitt was hired by Willie Taggart during the latter's brief tenure at Oregon. He stayed for the first year under Coach Mario Cristobal but ultimately resigned for undisclosed reasons.
He built the foundation of this Ducks defense for his successor Andy Avalos. Under Leavitt's watch, the Ducks defense improved by leaps and bounds on nearly every defensive metric out there.
Given the animosity of Ducks fans towards Florida State and one Willie Taggart, we will refrain further comment about that shortlived era.