It's great to see Jim Leavitt and the University of South Florida Bulls rise to the #2 spot in the most recent college football polls. Leavitt started the program ten years ago, overseeing the operations from a trailer office.
Well, now it seems like that trailer can go back to some deserving local middle school where it will fit in better, because USF football has hit the big time. It started with the win on the road over Auburn, but they really caught the pollsters attention with wins over West Virginia and Louisville.
Leavitt has had to overcome the competitive disadvantage of recruiting against the Florida State universities such as Miami, Florida State and Florida as well as other fledgling football programs looking to muscle in on the action like Central Florida and Florida Atlantic. Both of those schools have hired storied football coaches like George O'Leary and Howard Schnellenberger to lift them.
Another significant hurdle that USF has overcome is what Maslow described as the "Jonah Complex" which simply stated is "a fear of success which keeps people from becoming self-actualized". Maslow believed that the Jonah Complex arose due to 1) a need for humility and 2)the emotional surge that fulfillment brings with us is too draining to experience on a constant basis. It becomes almost a fear of success or a thought that perhaps we aren't worthy of the success. In some instances it revolves around fear of the responsibility that comes with achieving greatness or potential. Greatness often seems dangerous and overwhelming (like looking into the sun).
“Those who would shine must learn to endure burning.”
-- Viktor Frankl
The Bulls won't have too much time to enjoy the lofty ranking. They will get to look look straight into the mirror Thursday night when they face Rutgers, a team that has travelled on this road that USF currently finds itself on. Hopefully, Coach Leavitt is able to continue to pilot them around the tailwinds and turbulence that flying at this altitude can bring.
GO BULLS!!!
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