FAU will need to look for a new defensive coordinator, as sources can confirm that Jim Leavitt has been hired by Southern Methodist University. The Mustangs hired Leavitt to replace Kevin Kane, who left for Illinois.
SMU is the sixth college team that Leavitt will be a member of the coaching staff for. He worked as a head coach at South Florida, a defensive coordinator with Colorado and Oregon, and a defensive analyst at Florida State before coming to FAU.
Leavitt coached USF from 1997 to 2009. During his time there, he led the team to 10 winning seasons and five straight bowl games.