Ok – so if we hire Clint Eastwood to be our Regents’ “agent” could we let him smack this guy Baldwin. Baldwin?! Oh, no wonder… he must be related to the actor, Michael Baldwin – what an idiot he is!!

Mr Baldwn, lets just say AD Myers and Regent Dueser stated it very professionally when your attempt to circumvent the system showed your lack of respect to our university. Lack of respect – - very sad state of our whole country today if you ask me, but then, sir, I guess you are a product of that. However, your mama did not teach you very good manners. But then again, she probably tried and being the “slick” dude you are you probably chose to just not listen and do it your way anyway. We had a name in the Marine Corps for jerks like you – ONE WAY! What are you feeding coach Leach anyway? Evidently he has bought into it.

You probably watch CNBC as well.

Report this comment

What kinda person wants to be an agent in the first place? That answers your question there “flash lite”

…and who hires an agent? One who is too busy? or wants too much?

Report this comment

What this shows is just how truly sick sports have become. We, as a nation, have become so sports crazy that we pay athletes obscene amounts of money. Yes, they entertain us, but I would hardly equate their contribution to physicians who heal, lawyers who defend society, or any of the other numerous professions that demand years of training and skill.

Coaches now have agents!!! Who are these guys—Hollywood stars? Leach may be friends with Trump, but he is no star. I appreciate Coach Leach for his contribution to Texas Tech. We gave him a break, and he has brought his national attention. HOWEVER, his annual unwillingness to state that he is not interested in other jobs undermines this program and denigrates our university. It is as if he is saying, “yeah, I’m here until the next best thing.” I don’t mind him wanting more money, but I do think the university should demand that he have a hefty buyout clause. Why? Because we are investing in this guy, and it’s apparently the only way to insure a modicum of loyalty.

As for this “agent,” he clearly intended to divide the Board of Regents, to sow discord, and to use any means possible to milk more money and compromises from Texas Tech. Well, Mr. Baldwin, this is West Texas, not Hollywood (Los Angeles). I am proud of the Board for its reaction and its commitment to staying within the proper channels of authority.

Leach needs to decide if he is with us or not. If he is unhappy or wants to go elsewhere, then get the hell out. I want a coach that I KNOW wants to be here—not one who is biding his time until he can grab enough glory to jump ship for the proverbial greener pastures. His recalcitrance in affirming his loyalty to Texas Tech is squandering alumnis’ goodwill.

Report this comment

“What we have here, is failure to communicate!”–Strother Martin

“The worse thing that has happened in my lifetime is the meshing of the corporate mindset into intercollegiate athletics”–Jess Neeley (said this in the 60’s!)

Both sides are way off base, so this is not apt to end well.

1. Gerald Myers is in over his head, always has been as the Tech AD…nice enough guy, but his idea of negotiations is stomping his foot down and screeching in that high voice of his. Plus, now he’s puckering trying to figure out the financing angles of big time college sports. He’s a good ‘ole boy, ex-jock/coach, not a business man. His claim to fame as an AD is Bobby Knight…which saddles us with Pat, which is also not apt to end well.

2. Mike Leach should get rimmed for signing up with IMG and marketing himself around the country every year…spare me the corporate speak, he’s supposed to be a teacher and mentor of students, not a corporate, branding mogul…if he wants to better support his family, use the law degree…think how much better his recruiting might be if one year he was loyal and totally in town…his demands have pretty much extended Tech’s abilities to meet, so if he doesn’t understand this, let him walk. That’s what you get when you sign a lawyer up as your coach! We’ll see if he’s got this kind of leverage after the usual 7-5 campaign.

3. People who believe that “Leach is the single most important employee of Texas Tech. Bar none.”…need to get a life!. This year was tremendous, but so was 1973 and 1976 and no one has done it as well, including Leach, until 2008. Life will go on with or without him…although he interviews every year, I don’t see anyone offering anything…and don’t scoff at a Gary Patterson (I believe he has done more with less at TCU, and kicked our butt) or any of the other candidates mentioned. I loved the month of November as much as anyone…but look at it for what is is….one month…don’t just automatically drink the kool ade. Plus, it probably will get us a higher profile group of coaching candidates one day if we do need a coach…don’t just fall in line with the Briles’ backers or support whoever is coaching at Wolforth.

4. Although Leach has a slightly better record than Spike, there’s been a serious upgrade in money and facilities, and a downgrade in scheduling…Dykes did have a conference championship, so right now it’s about a push.

5. For their investment, Myers and Hance are totally justified in asking to be notified if Leach is looking…especially before the media knows it. At most jobs that I know of you’re fired if this happens. Then again in the real world, unlike sports, if you’re caught using drugs, alcohol or being incompentent you don’t get paid to go away, you’re just canned.

What needs to happen is to get a grip and make sure this ends soon, one way or another. If Myers needs to go, do it…if Leach won’t sign, fire his *** and get someone who wants to be here. Don’t let it fester and become a national joke…I sort of like the way the Boston College AD handled his head case.

Whatever happens, I’ll be in my seat supporting Texas Tech, not blindly following the latest coaching staff and agents with their bunker mentality and loud-mouth booster wanna-be’s, most of whom didn’t even go to Tech and think it’s the closest thing to the Cowboys.

BTW–Atta Boy, Scott Dueser…tell it like it is!

Report this comment

Ditto LMII, very well said

Report this comment

Leach wants to be “AD in charge of football……..full control………for managing the Football Program and report directly to the Chancellor” Are you kidding? As long as he’s the dictator, er. coach, this program will remain 2nd tier. He has won the 3rd most number of Big 12 games but duh, he’s been here for 9 years! He couldn’t carry Mack Brown or Bob Stoops’ whistle.

Report this comment

Funny, Crabtree got nothing but atta-boys when he left the team, same for Williams (lineman).

Can’t blame Leach (or Hance, or Myers, or the Board) for bleeding green instead of red/black.

College football has been the slave of money for a long time now, and money doesn’t talk , it screams. All you conservative republicans should appreciate that fact – it is your main idea.

Let professional football start after junior high. Let the NFL have the college teams as a minor league farm system. Money is the elephant in the middle of the room. That’s good old corporate capitalism! See a chance for money & grab it!! Ain’t America great??

Glorify and honor MONEY (or the power over money). There is no more college football as we remember it.

Report this comment

Circus Freak – your point #3 above mentions 1973 & 1976.
I’m 65 years old & can’t wait another 30-plus years.

I don’t see why the AD & Leach are arguing over a mythical big 12 or national championship bonus. With Tech’s history that is a moot question.

Why can’t Myers put something outragious in Knight & Curry’s contracts & run them off instead??

Report this comment

Sign the contract or just wait 2 years and get out.
We do not need a coach that goes shopping every year.
Think you can make more $$ somewhere else .. GO..!!
But just remember sometimes moving for more $$ just does not always work out.
We were pittiful in the Cotton Bowl and to think I was gonna drive to the game from Athens Ga…. thank goodness I saved the $$$
we were out hustled and looked like we were not ready…

Report this comment

We may hopefully have two more years with Coach Leach, and when he leaves, let us examine what may or may not happen:

1. Gone is the Coach that dominated A&M and made it disappointing to not at least finish in the top 3 in the Big 12 South, arguably the toughest division in college football.

2. Gone is the Coach that brought so much excitement to Jones AT&T Stadium that not only did Tech set attendance records, but it also is increasing the ticket prices and the size of the stadium.

3. Gone is the Coach who made Texas Tech a regular stop, and endeared sportswriters and sportscasters across the country to the point where, Lubbock became a regular stop for them.

4. Gone is the Coach who several publications named national coach of the year, and who has been called by many the greatest offensive mind in college football.

5. Gone is the Coach who has by a wide margin won more games in his nine seasons at Tech than any other coach at Tech in the same span.

6. Gone is the coach who won more bowl games than any other football coach at Tech, and took us to two cotton bowls in less than a five year span, a bowl game that Tech had only been to two Cotton Bowls prior to that, in its history, losing both those games, also.

Let us also remember what happened to A&M, remember, that team from College Station that used to be sitting right where Tech is nationally, and spent this past season in the cellar.

Therefore, if you get a chance, thank Kent Hance and Gerald Myers, what they are doing now, probably assures Tech fans of better seats at lower prices in a few years.

and by the way, if they think they are getting Briles, two problems with that, one, Baylor has made him a king there, they treat him well and love him for what he has done so far, and he hasnt even been to a bowl game yet, why would he come to a school like Tech that treats a Coach of Mike Leach’s stature the way they have. Also, keep in mind, any respectable coach, who reads the paper or watches the news is going to be reluctant to come to a University that makes it very clear they are broke, and also makes it very clear that they do not appreciate the achievements of its star coaches. One last thing, Leach should not sign under the current conditions, all seem to be put in as a slap-in-the-face, and i assure you, neither Hance nor Myers expected Leach to sign them, as for Leach’s agents contacting the Board of Regents, how can one blame them, obviously they are not dealing with rational people at the bargaining table.

Report this comment

When I step back and look at the whole situation, I realize that this isn’t about Mike Leach, his agents, Gerald Myers, Kent Hance, contracts or even money. It’s about the Old Guard, wanting to do things the way they have always done them, even as people and institutions all around them are changing and evolving. I mean, these people are still stuck on rotary dial telephones! Hey Tech, come on in to the 21st century! It’s really not as bad as you may think, and you might even find some things that you like about it. GO RAIDERS!

Report this comment

well said Eric, well said

Report this comment

I really like ML’s style of play, and his staff, and what he has done for Tech football, but this is long past getting old. If he wants to stay at Tech, sign the contract. If not, don’t, and don’t let the screen door hit him on the way out. Tech was looking for a coach when they found Mike, and there are other coaches out there who could come here and do a great job, and (who knows?) maybe even better. The graveyard is full of “indispensable coaches.” How many other schools, other than Texas Tech would let a coach stay 10 years and never come close to winning even the South Division championship, much less the the Big 12 conference championship. Can anyone out there name one other school in a BCS conference who seriously wanted or is wanting to throw $2 million dollars a year at Mike? [PAUSE} I did not think so.

Forget the trophy the team got this year for division tri-champions. Who cares? Which BCS bowl game did we get to play in as a reward? When you have had two opportunities to win the division and the team loses 65-14 and 65-21, you are not yet close to winning the division. The Raiders are potentially getting closer, but potential just means you have not done it yet.

I don’t know if Gary Patterson could be talked out of Fort Worth, but considering TCU ended up at No. 7 in the country ahead of Tech, and considering he has had about five 10-win seasons in the past seven years, I think he knows how to coach. Afterall, the last time Tech failed to score a TD was at that trainwreck at Amon Carter stadium a few years ago. TCU lost to Utah in the last minute of the game at Utah, otherwise their only loss would have been to Zero U. It is time to move on one way or the other. If ML wants to stay as coach, great, but all coaches should report to the AD. Gerald is not perfect, but he has done a good job at Tech, and he is the AD at the present time. I apologize for taking up so much space, but I am really tired of this old song. Are not there other things that require some attention, like men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball where Tech is not competitive at all in the Big 12. Stay in, or move on, but quit dancing!!!! The tail is wagging the dog.

Report this comment

This whole situation is an embarrassment to the University. In fact the whole athletic department seems to be going downhill. It makes we consider removing the double T’s from my vehicle as Tech is becoming a joke to other schools in Texas as well as the Big 12.

Report this comment

I just do not get it with the agents for Leach, WHO is controlling who and when is Leach going to get it that he is lucky that TECH has put up with this kind of treatment and he suceess is too edge sword. He has brought the program to a new and better level but just that fact means that there are now a lot more coaches who would die to have the TECH job right now and no one is really keen on Leach and his ways of not only dealing with the media but also this University, which was quite evident is how fast his name was mentioned and then dropped. A close source at TENN said that they would have never put up with him and his agents and attitude.
He has everything going for him at Tech and should and I repeat should not need agents to get a contract done at all

Report this comment

Patterson…Briles…some of these names everyone keeps throwing out are a total joke! Look, the situation blows and its come down to this Leach can use us for the next season and go out and light it up..ie repeat what we just did and either get the tired arse GOB’s to pony up or he will leave….no coach can recruit w/1yr on a contract. If we don’t think we can or will give Leach enough to satisfy, they should very quietly start looking for some possiblities….and no TCU/Baylor/etc coaches….they WOULD BE A DOWNGRADE! But if we do submarine coach after next season and go get a new coach…..unless that coach wins right off the bat, the entire GOB network there is done…cuz when you torpedo a coach, that will stay w/ya in terms of future hires.

So everyone please STFU and get back to complaining about something that matters..this issue doesn’t matter until the end of next season. We have a coach for the 2009 season and his name is Mike Leach…and in case any have forgotten to notice somewhere around the middle of the season Leach will break Spike’s school record for coaching victories.

Report this comment

I’m very disappointed in the self-centeredness and greed demonstrated in this public contract negotiation. I love college football, but I hate what it’s becoming — a direct reflection of the bankrupt values pervasive in our current society.

Our teachers are getting paid $40k/year to perform a truly selfless and immeasurable service for the benefit of our children and our nation’s future. Yet, we somehow choose to compensate attorneys, entertainers, athletes, and now college football coaches more than 75 times that of our teachers.

Shame on all of us!

Report this comment

When I was a teenager in Lubbock, I used to leave the house, walk a couple of miles along Ave. A, cross the RR tracks, and watch the Black kids playing basketball. A few times they even invited me over to shoot baskets. But, word got out and one day, when my father got home, he gave me the worst beating I’ve ever had. I couldn’t understand what I had done wrong. It wasn’t until years later, when I was in the Navy, that I realized my actions could have cost him his job and endangered my family. That was the kind of good ol’ boy white man control that existed then. Unfortunately, there is still an element of that in Lubbock and at Tech. Many of the Tech people resent coaches like Bob Knight and Mike Leach getting nationwide attention. They feel they don’t have total control of things. Otherwise, why would Tech delay negotiations until the end of the season? To see how it went and give them more bargaining power? I’m sure they didn’t expect an 11-2 season. And, why slip (sneak) in extra provisions at the 11th hour? This isn’t about money or terms. It’s about wanting to be in total control of the situation. In 50 plus years there has been progress in both Lubbock and at Tech, but there is still that good ol’ boy attitude of wanting to do things the way they’ve always been done. These people probably think the word progress is a Communist expression. GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!

Report this comment

Techs BOR’s is all about constructing huge buildings and monuments to themselves and nothing else. Huge egos building huge buildings. Who do you think you are emailing ME!!!! The all wonderful OZ! Dueser is a Dueserbag!!!! Myers is an a hole. Baily and Hance are the two stooges! Leach why would you want to stay at Tech? Lubbock is a HELL HOLE!!!!!

Report this comment

Eric who’s been there when your “progress” has happened at Tech?
11th hour additions were due to Leach’s actions in WA etc.
Sorry I have been back and forth with GM, but on this I am with Tech! Except for ML’s likeness clause.

Report this comment

When I said progress, I was talking about attitudes (especially attitudes about Blacks and Hispanics) that had improved in Lubbock and at Tech. And, wow! It only took 50 years to improve!

Report this comment

One more thing. Four years ago I was in Lubbock getting repair work on my car. At the dealership, I saw an elderly Black employee being treated like dirt by the White Service Manager (a guy in his late 20s or early 30s). So, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Report this comment

We have too many fans who think they know everything about what is going on. And what we are getting from the media, at times, is one-sided stories meant to divide the fan base.
Leach has come out and said this is not about money. So please stop saying that it is. Leach is in a tough conference…crap, he’s in a tough division. Anyone going up against UT, OU and A&M every year in recruiting, and add OSU now that they have all of Picken’s money, it would be very hard on a new coach to adjust the talent we have now to what ever system he would want to run. And I agree, give the Patterson and Briles talk a much needed end.
Leach is the best coach Tech has had period. Nobody else has had Tech in the spotlight and winning as consistently and against better conference talent EVER.
All this playground flame throwing that the regents and the agent apparently have going on is ridiculous. I agree, the agent will never be insubordinate to Tech. EVER. But he should have conducted his business with and thru the proper channels. Maybe this is an indication that they are NOT working cohesively together. Who knows? It didn’t hurt us in recruiting, so please…everyone, go back to your normal 8 to 5, or whichever it is and let this thing pass on.

Report this comment

Tech…meaning Meyers, the Chancelor, the President and board of Regents are all just trying to protect the University. You don’t want to offer a coach 2.5 million just to watch a large portion of it walk out the door.

Leach breaks rules. Rules designed to protect the University. When he went to Washington without permission…that led to the provision that is now in the contract. I do have to admit going over Meyers and Hances head and trying to win over the Regents was an all time low.

I agree with a lot of people on here…Mike Leach has shown that his heart is not in Lubbock with the year after year interviewing. I think Tech needs to cut the umbilical cord and let the child go. It is a shame Leach is not as sneaky on the field.

Jim Merket is right. Tech has moved up to the next level and there are a lot of coaches who now would love to come to Lubbock. There are a lot of great innovative coaches out there. Like someone pointed out…the TCU coach who has a record that would put Leach to shame.

Report this comment

I’ve been stewing on this all weekend. And I’ve read everything that is available about the situation. As an alum, I both love Tech and get what the school is trying to accomplish and at the same time really think that having Leach stay is truly the best possible scenario. What I see is the university basically saying “We already gave you a really damn good offer. But you want more. Alright fine! But now that the offer is beyond good – we want something back in exchange.” And for the most part, what they are asking for, in theory, should benefit everyone involved. (for the reasons already stated by many) After absorbing everything – and really stepping back for a second to consider it – I think Leach would be a fool not to jump on this offer exactly as it is presented. It’s an incredible offer by any standard. In direct comparison to what he’s accomplished in all facets for the university – it’s more than fair. In direct comparison to not only other coaches in the Big 12, but all college coaches – it’s just a great offer and one that should be embraced. Does anyone on this blog think that Mike is getting ripped off? Seriously? Somebody please write a well thought out essay on the what Mike sacrifices as compared to what he gains, and then give a reasonable argument as to why Tech is not reasonable at this point. Honestly, what the hell is he really giving up? Small price to pay for the benefits received if you ask me. Tech would surely benefit by keeping him on board, but at the same time, surely Mike understands that the deal being offered is fairly exceptional even with the clauses left intact. So, while I am a Leach supporter and want him to be happy and stay put – it’s time for him to get a friggen’ grip and put this puppy to bed. If he doesn’t end up understanding how fortunate he is to have a chance to sign such a great deal – my lasting impression will be that maybe he isn’t as smart as I’ve always thought he is.

Report this comment

I am also a Mike Leach supporter, but his actions as stated earlier have helped lead to some of the provisions in contract such as asking for permission to speak to other coaches. His own fault. But to say that all aspects of the current offer are fair is absurb. His personal speaking engagements,etc should be his own because TT is not able to pay what top BIG 12 schools are paying. Secondly the reduced amount the school would pay for conferance or national championships being reduced is not right. They must think that he is going to definitely win one in the near future, and if they do beleive that then they need to realize that they need to treat him as a championship coach, if that is what they believe he is. Bottom line in reference to comments above, this would be a great contract offer for someone making much less money, but if you compare this to other current contracts (even in BIG 12), which is what you have to do if you want to make comments about fair, then you realize that TT is trying to not make Leach a top paid Coach for his accomplishments, while hogtying him for his past decisions. As has already been stated by his agents, its not the money, they would settle for the lesser amount, its the all the chains and bondage that is causing this to be an unacceptable contract. Now for me I would jump on this contract even for a few years and I could retire on this income, but Sorry, I doubt we would win many, if any games.

Report this comment

I am also a Mike Leach supporter, but his actions as stated earlier have helped lead to some of the provisions in contract such as asking for permission to speak to other coaches. His own fault. But to say that all aspects of the current offer are fair is absurb. His personal speaking engagements,etc should be his own because TT is not able to pay what top BIG 12 schools are paying. Secondly the reduced amount the school would pay for conferance or national championships being reduced is not right. They must think that he is going to definitely win one in the near future, and if they do beleive that then they need to realize that they need to treat him as a championship coach, if that is what they believe he is. Bottom line in reference to comments above, this would be a great contract offer for someone making much less money, but if you compare this to other current contracts (even in BIG 12), which is what you have to do if you want to make comments about fair, then you realize that TT is trying to not make Leach a top paid Coach for his accomplishments, while hogtying him for his past decisions. As has already been stated by his agents, its not the money, they would settle for the lesser amount, its the all the chains and bondage that is causing this to be an unacceptable contract. Now for me I would jump on this contract even for a few years and I could retire on this income, but Sorry, I doubt we would win many, if any games. *****

Report this comment

Sorry about the duplicate post, computer slowed down.

Report this comment

Joseph – have you had a chance to read The Tortilla Retorts response? I recommend, as it does a better job than most of us in terms of addressing each point fully. In my opinion, he adequately voices why Leach can’t do better and why the demands aren’t as unreasonable as they at 1st seem. At the very least it’s a good read. http://www.tortillaretort.com/dedfischer/playing-hard-ball/

Report this comment

Eric, maybe grumpy was that way with ALL the people not just the black guy you saw. Anyway one would hope that’s the case.

Report this comment

Bender,
just read the article, while he has some good points and I definetly agree with some of his comments, we have to realize that so often the ones making these deals don’t operate on good old common sense. They operate in a different world, that saves pennies and throws away dollars for their cause. Mike Leach needs to be signed, the loss of a better contract would not just be in lost pay to Leach, but in the decreased amount of tickets sold( which would happen, regardless of the smarter than the average bear thinking). This is proven by the record breaking crowds that have filled the stadium lately, it wasnt because they were there before and just couldnt get in. I dislike the actions of Leach often that cause recruits and fans to be left in limbo, but he has still brought this program to national attention level.

Report this comment

Don’t forget the cost of hiring a search firm, oh wait they already have… ;-)

Sign Leach SIGN!

Report this comment

Along with the other viewpoints, I see this as a very risky strategy by TTU administrators. Home game attendance, television appearances and such have been much better the last few years as compared to longer-term averages. A coaching change, and the system change that might go with it, could easily bring a couple of poor record seasons. Can the TTU athletic budget afford the revenue hit that could easily go with such poor record seasons? Ticket revenues from home football games are arguably the most important part of a Division I atheltic department’s revenue stream. I hope that TTU administrators have carefully considered all the scenarios that could play out if Coach Leach departs and that they have contingency plans for those scenarios.

Report this comment

Wouldn’t be doing their jobs if they don’t!
That said, I hope they ARE doing their jobs!

Report this comment

The absolute ignorance coming from some of you amazes me, especially from men, who should know alot about spots and sprots management. EVERY coach has an agent. It may not be publicized but they have them. I have a basketball coach in my famliy who not only played at Tech but coached in the NCAA and they all have them, even as assistants. From the time a player goes pro, they have agents. It isn’t always to gain money it is also to weed out the bad offers and those trying to take advantage of people. Tech had lawyers that advise them./ Do you actually think a nimwhit like Myers came up with a contract on his own without advisement? That ois all Leach is doing too. I have problems with boths sides of this situtaion but fuly back Leach in not wanting to sign his rights to his name and personal likeness over to a school. Who would want their lives dicated by a 25-30 year old marketing department soley out for money. You say Leach only wants money…look at Tech. What other reason would they ask this of Leach than to capitalize on his name? No other coach at Tech has the same provisions and trust me, they seek out other positions and they also have losing streaks. The basketball program is more of a disappoijntment thatn football at this stage and noone is conmplaining about that ambarressment. Nice arena, no fanes, and losing teams! Bring in some concerts so we can enjoy that builidng. Don’t feeel sorry for Crabtree…he is guuaranteed his millions even if he gets hurt. It was a great recruiting year and Tech has gone further under Leach than any other Coach. Tech has a problem of two steps forward, five steps back. How bout Myers take a paycut, too?

Report this comment

unless both parties swallow some pride and take a step back…this is gonna end ugly….i support both sides, but not on everything…..if this goes down bad…ie; leach getting shown the door….even if they have someone out there to come right in….sorta feel that myers needs to go to…then let the new AD decide on mens/womens b-ball…cuz as much as i like pat, not sure if he is ready and kristy…no excuses for record…she is in the middle of hs girls b-ball…talent all around…..hopefully the whose is bigger contest is a draw cuz if not….its gonna get messy for all!

Report this comment

Hey AJ what’s the status? Has Leach fired his agents yet?
Inquiring minds what to know.

When’s the deadline again? This is worse than waiting for the NCAA signing day in February after the bowl games. :-(

Report this comment

I agree that the downside of not keeping him is huge. There in lies the problem. Otherwise this wouldn’t even be worth discussing. But that said, it’s not as though the contract being offered is that bad. It is still one of the best in the country even including the stipulations. Our season ending ranking, when averaged out over his 9 years is not even top 25 and even so I have no problem paying him 12.7 – because of everything else he’s done. It just seems reasonable that we get some guarantees that he is committed to the contract. As far as I can tell – that is the only sticking point, really. And until recruits see that kind of commitment from coach – we’ll continue to have to feel grateful for 30th ranked recruiting classes. I, for one, believe strongly that this most recent recruiting class would have been much better had Leach been locked in and looking happy. It is easy to dump on Meyers, because Meyers makes it easy at times, but it is very difficult for me to look at this contract, consider the negative impact of Leach’s ongoing dance with other universities, and then feel that the university is unreasonable. At some point Leach needs to be reasonable. Was his starting point (15+ million for 5 years) an honest number to begin negotiations? The fact that he gave ground is not representative of graciousness on his part. 12.7 is huge and calls for Leach to (at the very least) be committed to the contract.

Report this comment

Hey Watchdog113! You may be right about the “grumpy” part. I really hadn’t considered that. Thanks!

Report this comment

Gerald Caldwell, please elaborate on exactly which rules Leach has broken.

Report this comment

Gerald Caldwell, please elaborate on exactly which rules Leach has broken. He’s broken several records…he and that offense and team, for that matter. But rules? This isn’t Jerry Tarkanian or Mark Cuban.

Report this comment

Guys… put it this way. Leach coaching beyond the next yr in Lbk has about as much chance as a snowball in hell!!!!! Sometimes a fella just gets too big for his britches. Maybe it wasn’t his fault as it was probably his agents selfish attitudes and just convincing him maybe their team was a little smarter and more sophisticated than us west Texas bumpkins. But, ya know, right over wrong usually prevails especially with good conservative GOB leadership. The two sides will persevere thru next season and just be polite and try to avoid each other saying it’ll all work out at the end of the season. Hopefully then Leach has a good season and gets another job because if he doesn’t I really feel that either he just gets fired immediately after the last game or we announce all the Tech ex oil-men will easily just buy him out. And, believe me young ,ambitious ,and ingenious coaches will fight for the chance to wear the red and black!!

Oh, yeah, just you wait! There will be blood…..

Report this comment

I can go for that idea!!! You said a barrel full!!!

Report this comment

Let’s be perfectly clear that the agent, Mr. Matt Baldwin, should be dismissed from negotiating table and from IMG, immediately, for such unprofessional behavior.

On the other hand, Mr. Hance and Mr. Myers are responsible for this negotiation and if no agreement is reached by Mr. Myers’ Feb 17th deadline, then Mr. Hance needs to step-in and complete the contract and if the means that the four items are removed, fine. All four of these items are petty anyway.

• Coach should be guaranteed more income, not less, with this contract. That’s respectable.
• TTU should drop the buyout clause, since it’s not competitive with the other Big 12 schools. Competitive is respectable and anti-competitive is disrespectful.
• Let the Coach interview for other positions. So what, he’s under contract. Besides its free publicity for TTU. We need all of the free publicity we can get.
• Let the Coach keep his identity. This is such a stupid suggestion that it undermines the credibility of the university and certainly doesn’t earn any respect.

Most importantly, Mr. Myers must go. Under all circumstances Mr. Myers must go. He, and only he, is responsible for this contract negotiation becoming the fiasco that it is. As sad as it is and no matter how much respect that we as alumni may have for him and his many accomplishment at TTU, he has made too many blunders to be taken seriously.

Likewise, if Mr. Hance wants loyalty, then he needs to earn it. Asking your A.D. to add four petty items to a serious contract proposal, in the late stages of negotiation, does not enhance anyone’s negotiation position and certainly doesn’t command respect.

If Coach Leach goes unsigned, then both Mr. Myers and Mr. Hance must go and say goodbye to TTU athletics.

Report this comment

G Doran, I completely agree with everything you said. Remember, Myers is basketball first, and where his feelings stand on football, who knows? He may actually hate the sport, I don’t really know. Some will say he hired Leach. Yeah, but deep down, I don’t think he ever believed Mike Leach would be as successful as he has been at Tech. For instance, why didn’t he try to hire someone with a proven track record as a head coach (coaching in Finland doesn’t count; The Finns are famous for middle distance running (Nurmi and the other Flying Finns, etc.)., not football). I just don’t agree with posts saying Leach has been disloyal. This is business, not the military. I think it is smart to keep your options open, in case your current job doesn’t work. Who hasn’t done that? But some people want to put the football coach in chains, to make sure he never goes elsewhere. What nonsense! And why is going over someone’s head to connect so bad. Especially when games are being played by the administration. I also think people in the administration and others are being too stuffy about this. “How dare his agent do something like that”. It’s not like he killed or cheated someone. C’mon, Tech, stop the pettiness. If Leach goes, say goodbye to a lot of revenue, packed stadium, and national attention. If you think some other coach will step in and keep the program at the level it is, think about this. Despite what some have said, there aren’t a lot of coaches out there (with proven track records) that want to come to Tech. Not if they know anything about Lubbock (a very hard sell) and all the coaching disasters that have taken place there. GO RAIDERS!

Report this comment

Mr Duran-
You don’t get it yet do you, dude? Chance Hance and AD Meyers have had it with the Pirate and they wouldn’t back off these stupid 4 pts if the western free world depended on it!!! Like I said before, they wouldn’t DREAM of putting the 4 pts in the next coaches contract. Everything will just seem peachy-keen between the two sides until right after our last game in ‘09 (before Xmas!!) Then, I predict, Chance Hance will give him the Red Raider boot! Too bad, but as my wife likes to say, “works for me!”.

Report this comment

Eric-
Can’t argue with you on the Lbk landscape, etc. However, I’d rather my kid go to a Lubbock than an Austin or Dallas or Miami anyday! Million and a half dollar coaching jobs are not exactly cramming the want ads. There would be a great number of wanna bees come out for the job, However, the committee probably would already be aware of the two or three they’d have the most interest in. Man, have you ever really been to College Station, or Tuscaloosa or even Auburn or Stillwater or Norman or especially Waco? I’ll take Lubbock anyday.

Report this comment

Pretty Woman (I like that name you use): When I talked about Lubbock, I meant that it is hard to recruit athletes to go there, because it is somewhat remote and Tech doesn’t have a history of a lot of success. I love Lubbock, warts and all. After all, I grew up there and still have friends there. And Lubbock has some of the nicest people anywhere. I’ve lived in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, as well as Phoenix, Seattle, and four years in Italy, and you can’t beat the people of Lubbock (although the Italians are wonderful too). But, as I’ve mentioned before, there is still some of that good ol’ boy attitude there about wanting to do things as they’ve always been done, even as people in other places are changing. With some, there seems to be resistance to anything new or better or different, and that’s the problem that I see. And, it is that attitude (in my opinion) that is throwing up roadblocks to the contract negotiations between Mike Leach and Tech. Ciao!

Report this comment

flash lite is an aggie

Report this comment

Get ready Tech fans……….. we’re going to be back at 25-35 thousand fans in the stadium watching a mediocre team in the future.

Don’t ever think it isn’t about money……. I said it before in another blog and I’ll say it again…… not hearsay, not opinion…… fact…… if it were not for the money our football team …. ( of which Mike Leach has happened to be the coach)…. we would not have embarked on the facilities expansions, brought in lots of money to the economy of Lubbock, raised the season ticket prices and FILLED THE STADIUM FOR TEAMS LIKE SE LA, NW LA, UTAH ST. SMU and UTEP…. that’s right 51 thousand fans for those games instead of the 25 -35k in the 80’s and 90’s.

Let’s all remember it is not Myers money, it is not Hance’s money and heck it isn’t even Tech’s money…. it is our money the FANS and supporters of the program that generates the dollars!

It IS about money….. pure economics and don’t be foolish enough to think it isn’t.

Period!

Report this comment