Leach’s deadline passes with no new agreement


BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Mike Leach’s deadline to accept Texas Tech’s latest contract offer passed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, leaving the future of the Red Raiders’ head football coach uncertain.

“Coach Leach has declined our $12.7 million contract,” Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers said in a statement released by the athletic department just after 5 p.m. “We will enter the decision-making process and should have some announcements by next week. Our decisions will be based on the best interest of Texas Tech and all of its supporters.”

Though no one has said so publicly, Tech could be preparing to fire the coach who led the Red Raiders to an 11-2 season in 2008. The team’s 10-0 start and unprecedented rise to No. 2 in the national rankings ultimately led to Leach winning three national coach of the year awards.

However, irritation with Leach and the way his agents have handled contract negotations have become apparent lately in comments made by Tech Chancellor Kent Hance and Myers.

Tech’s Board of Regents has called a special teleconference Friday afternoon. Hance said the regents will be briefed on the situation with the football coach, but added there are other issues to discuss.

Hance was at the state Capitol on Tuesday for Texas Tech Day in Austin, an event in which Tech System alumni visited legislators to promote adequate funding for the university and higher education in general.

“I can’t comment right now,” Hance said about the Leach contract situation. “My number one priority is the budget process. I will deal with that (Leach’s situation) later.”

Though Leach still has two years left on his current agreement, if the two sides go forward with the status quo, the length of his contract could compromise his assistants’ ability to sell high-school recruits on coming to Tech. The team also could face a steady stream of distracting questions about the coach’s future.

On the eve of the deadline, Leach said he didn’t anticipate being fired, nor did he worry that 2009 could be his last season at Tech. He said he was excited about the program and prepared to keep coaching on his current contract, a five-year, $10-million deal he signed in August 2006 that extends through 2010.

Late Tuesday, Leach said he “can’t fathom why” he would be fired.

“We already have a deal,” he said, referring to his current contract. “Both parties signed it, so I suspect (firing) is just a rumor. I mean, if you’ve got a guy that’s contracted for two more years, that seems like an odd approach.”

Leach then listed several achievements in which he takes pride: His program’s high graduation rate. Its nine bowl appearances in his nine seasons. His school-record five bowl victories. The 11-win season that matched a school best.

“I do think they’ll honor the contract,” Leach continued. “I also think it’s clear to most Tech fans that we’re going to have a great season, and this is a byproduct of the hard work of a great staff, great coaches, great players and support from our fans. It would shock me if anybody is inclined to disrupt that.”

Leach’s agents, Matt Baldwin and Gary O’Hagan, approached Tech almost a year ago, asking to renegotiate his contract. They were rebuffed until after the 2008 season.

It was clear again Tuesday that Leach felt slighted when no offer was extended after the team’s Gator Bowl victory ending the 2007 season.

When asked whether having only two years left on his contract would work against him in recruiting, Leach said: “I think to a point. That’s why I was very concerned about it a year ago, and nothing was done then. But despite that, our staff rallied together and we had the best recruiting class in the history of Texas Tech. We’re very proud of the guys we recruited, and we’re excited about the chance to coach them this season.”

The two sides have agreed to terms of $12.7 million over five years, but negotiations hit a roadblock five weeks ago when the university inserted four new clauses into a counterproposal. It was presented on Jan. 9, a Friday, and rejected the following Monday.

A major sticking point seems to be Tech’s proposal for mutual-dollar-amount buyouts: for each side, $300,000 a year for each year left on the contract.

The last counter by Leach’s agents, dated Feb. 10, proposes keeping the buyout at a flat $500,000 if Leach chooses to leave and having Tech guarantee 40 percent of Leach’s remaining base salary and outside income if he’s fired.

The principals were mostly silent before and after the Tuesday deadline.
Matt Baldwin, one of Leach’s agents, did not respond to a telephone message on Monday, nor to a set of e-mailed questions on Tuesday. Myers did not return phone messages left before and after the deadline.

Throughout the negotiation process, Leach has largely deferred to his agents in presenting his side. He spent last weekend on a promotional trip sponsored by Under Armour, Tech’s jersey and equipment supplier. The four-person contingent was in Wales on Saturday for a Wales-England rugby match and back stateside on Sunday to attend the Daytona 500.

(Enrique Rangel of The A-J Austin Bureau contributed to this report.)
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8734
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735

Bookmark and Share

Comments

  • James said:

    Hopefully Myers will decided that the supporters dont want HIM around and he should fire himself

    Report this comment

  • raiderfan said:

    Their decisions are based on personal biases. The best interest of the University have nothing to do with anything Myers does

    Report this comment

  • jimmy said:

    heard coach leach house is for sale ?

    Report this comment

  • Tom said:

    Myers is such a joke!!! The best interest of Myers’ ego is the real decision. Myers ought to be fired!!!

    Report this comment

  • EXRedRaiderBaller said:

    Got to lubbockonline.com at the top of the page a Tech alumn has written a memo to Myers and Hance via a paid advertisement…

    http://www.lubbockonline.com/

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Only an idiot would turn down 12.7 million over 5 years. Someone like this should not be retained as our coach. Good luck Coach Leach at finding a contract like this somewhere else. You are called “The Strange One” for a reason. Don’t let the door hit you in the A$* on the way out.

    Report this comment

  • Pirate of the South Plains said:

    The signal Myers is sending us is that he runs the show and the next coach hired will be a lower profile figure that will not overshadow the Napoleonic Gerald.

    Report this comment

  • Eric said:

    How do you persuade a recruit to come to Tech not knowing what the coach’s future is? Nice work Tech!

    Baylor game is moving to Dallas, season ticket prices are up, and now Coach Leach is a lame duck coach. Awesome job Myers!

    Report this comment

  • ExRedRaiderFanatic said:

    I’ve got 2 flags, a tailgate tent, 5 jackets, 12 shirts, a shower curtain, bath towels and washcloth, 2 panchos, a trash can, a Raider Red bobble head, a snow globe and two mini helmets all with the Tech logo on them. Make me an offer. I’m going to see how I look wearing burnt orange.

    Report this comment

  • Eric said:

    Hey Brian – where do you work? How would you feel if your employer had a clause that said any outside income that you make on your own belongs to your employer? Or all rights to your name belongs to your employer? Totally ridiculous by Tech and I’m not sure of any other BCS head coach with this in their contract.

    Report this comment

  • Mac said:

    I hear more alumni stating that Myers should go and Leach should stay. Maybe Myers has over stayed his welcome in West Texas.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    All of you who are blaming Myers – Do you really believe that this was a Gerald decision? You should get out in the real world more often if you do. When you make an offer of MILLIONS of dollars over multiple years to an individual, the decision goes a lot higher than the Athletic Director. Gerald is not calling the shots on this, and it is and has been at the BOR/Chancellor level from the start. Just because the BOR is not negotiating with the idiot agents doesn’t mean they aren’t involved with this decision.

    Report this comment

  • ExRedRaiderFanatic said:

    So the Board of Regents are morons too. So what?

    Report this comment

  • Dunka said:

    One way or another, every alum that has the time to post on this blog, has the time to send an e-mail to each of the players in this drama and make their feeling clear. Nothing scares me more than the thought that our administration makes these decisions without a clear idea of whether or not they are representing us. I don’t know how closely they watch their official mailboxes, but it seems likely that they will be aware of the general numbers. Believe me, they are all basically politicians and what we think matters to them.

    It’s easy to come on here and rant and rave and make bold statements while hiding behind false names (like Dunka!), but it’s more important to show some big ol’ round dangleys and stick your name on an e-mail to the folks that really matter. The addresses can be easily found on the University Website.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Hey Eric,
    If my employer were working with me, and if I was not marketing myself I would probably work a deal with them for a portion of the proceeds. I don’t recall that he is actively marketing himself is he? Do you really think this was the dealbreaker? I doubt it. I can gurandamntee you that I would not let something like this get in the way of a 12.7 million contract for 5 years, and anyone who says they would are lying.

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    Brian,
    He agreed to the money. Then Tech got cold feet and stuck in clauses that were worse than his present contract knowing that he wouldn’t sign. Its politics at its best. They want to run him off but make it look like he is the problem.

    Report this comment

  • Ron said:

    Send Leach packing. The Pirate thing was kinda cool, but where’s the loyalty, Mike?

    Report this comment

  • Keith said:

    ‘The Strange One’ is now ‘The Gone One’. #3 salary in the Big 12 and Top 20 in the nation and he walks away from it in return for some reasonable clauses. He will never get that kind of an offer anywhere.

    Good riddance……it was fun while it latest.

    Report this comment

  • EXRedRaiderBaller said:

    Why did there have to be a deadline?????? That only proves Myers wanted to push him out….. Texas Tech is the biggest joke of a school, I’m emabarrassed to be associated with it

    Report this comment

  • Mac said:

    Try and find the email address you want, i.e. Gerald Myers. I can’t find it, but I can find Mike Leach!

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Wonder if the IRS will be flagging Leach for an audit? Those little trips count as income…

    Report this comment

  • ExRedRaiderFanatic said:

    Just type the name with the 1st and second name separated by a period and finish it with @ttu.edu. No spaces. It works for all the principals.

    Report this comment

  • alsoraiderfan said:

    Tech is a business. All employees need to be team players. Leach gets very high marks from me for the performance of his team but a “team player’ he is not. He is every managers worst nightmare…a great individual producer but if he can’t make the rules he does not want to play. I had a VP of Sales a few years ago and we parted way for much the same attitude and 95% of my employee hassles went with him. I repeat he has done a good job but he is being paid very well. At the end of his contract he should have to work again if does not want t. No one else in Lubbock can match that deal. I hope Leach stays but he needs to join the Tech team.

    Report this comment

  • raiderfan said:

    I am disappointed in the ridiculously bad faith that Myers and Hance have shown during this entire process. I agree with everything that the ad states in context and am disgusted that Myers and Hance think we are stupid enough to believe that because the amount was $12.7 milion deal, that they wanted Leach to sign. They had no intention of having him sign, in fact they knew he was not stupid enough to sign it. In any event, this show of power by the Myers and Hance has done nothing less than divide a city that loved the Raiders against each other and the University and or its coach. Nothing about this entire process was done in good faith… in fact, its a slap in the face to the integrity of the University and to the fans who hoped to build upon the greatest season in school history. What are we going to do for an encore Myers, I know, lets fire Leach, hire Briles, and watch Baylor hire Leach and beat us in the only team sport they don’t beat us in yet. Go ahead Myers, turn us into the Texas A&M of the next ten years. And quit saying its in the best interest of the University, this whole process is Myers and Hance flexing their stupid pride and kicking sand in the faces of the fans of Tech football.

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    Texas Tech sure made MacK Brown and Bob Stoops happy today. Soon there will be another chump on the schedule like it use to be. Ron and Keith helped it happen. Which school do you guys support?

    Report this comment

  • Ted said:

    Maybe the University should think about replacing coach Myers and Mr. Hance. It appears every time Coach Leach’s agents presented a counter proposal, Myers and Hance refused to consider it. A contract proposal consists both sides putting stuff on the table they do not expect to get. The compromises and counter proposals is the only way to settle a contract.
    Maybe coach Myers and Mr. Hance can pull a Jerry Jones and try and coach the team themselves. Then Tech can be setting on the couch watching the playoffs like the Cowboys do.

    Guess if we go back to 7 – 5 being a great season all will be happy. Instead of fighting for the big 12 championship on the last weekend of the season, we can be fighting to stay out of the big 12 south cellar on the last weekend of the season.
    I guess we could join conference USA to try and compete. No that might be tough with Houston and Tulsa.

    Report this comment

  • Joe said:

    Leach overplayed his hand. This is not Myers guys, it is Myers, Hance and the Board of Regents!

    You cannot retain a coach that is this out-of-control. You will be subject to negative recruiting that cannot be overcome.

    Understand the business side. Other coaches produce outside income that offsets a large part of their salaries. Leach would not so that his salary was effectively higher than it should have been.

    Other coaches work the “bar-b-que circuit” promoting the the school and raising funds. Leach did almost nothing!

    Other coaches keep there egos in check and work within their budgets. Leach did not.

    No boss or institution could put up with this. And all of you students who will miss getting to dress up as pirates will have to get over it and realize that as an employee you could never get away with doing what Leach has tried to do.

    What is he thinking? He wasn’t marketable when it was thought he was quirky but sane. What athletic director of a big program with other good alternatives is going to hire a known problem?

    Report this comment

  • Ted said:

    Lets Fire Meyers and put Coach Leach in as AD. Maybe then Tech will be competitive in the other major sports like they are in football!

    Report this comment

  • Downdastreet said:

    Shameful! Down right shameful how Myers, Hance, and Tech BOR have handled this situation. They’ve ruined our beloved University!! That’s what they’ve done!!!!! They’ve ruined a University today!!!!

    Report this comment

  • Ted said:

    Joe, what do you think is going to happen to our recruiting now?

    Tech will be cellar dwellars in 3 years without top recruits and a major Coach.

    It was not Money it was Principal.

    Leach promoted Tech with victories, How many other schools were on National television (prime time) as much as Tech?

    Report this comment

  • Ted said:

    What do you think is going to happen to our recruiting now?

    Tech will be cellar dwellars in 3 years without top recruits and a major Coach.

    It was not Money it was Principal.

    Leach promoted Tech with victories, How many other schools were on National television (prime time) as much as Tech?

    Report this comment

  • curious said:

    I wonder what this years recruits are thinking now? If the Regents decide to fire Leach, or not continue negotiations, then they will be facing the possibility of not playing for the coach and/or staff that brought them here. The fans, recruits, students and alumni need closure. If Tech fires Leach, they need to be very clear on why they are doing this, and they need to be prepared to allow some of the newly signed recruits out of their commitment if they request it.

    Leach, i really wish you had taken a more proactive approach in the negotiations, and not taken all those visits for other jobs. I think perhaps your best course of action is to find new agents and try again, because it doesnt seem as if the Tech powers to be are too impressed with the ones you have now. There needs to be a bartering ground on the additional clauses, They seem to be a sticking point on both sides, not sure why Tech added them, but the fact that they are there tells me loyalty was a concern.

    I am not really sure what role Myers really plays in this, except as a consultant, because of the importance of this particular sport in financing all the others, It would seem as if the President and the Chancellor are the true braintrusts in the negotiations. Myers is probably just a front man, and although he does seem to have issues with Leach, which obviously based on the fan reactions have made him a target for much fodder, deserved or not, he is not the trigger man in this deal.

    Tech will need to budget for some PR for the football program whether they keep Leach or not, and sans a new contract, recruiting next season will be near impossible for Leach, every coach that competes for a recruit against Tech will point to this dilemma and tell the kid that there is no certainty that Leach will still be here the following year.

    Good luck Leach, good luck Tech administration and good luck Regents, you have your hands full on this one. But all parties please remember that we are sitting on the sidelines, with our fingers crossed, hoping that all sides will at least talk for the sake of those of us who buy tickets and cheer for the scarlet and black. So please, i implore you, don’t forget about us.

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    If this was in Austin, there would be a phone call from a big time supporter and the contract would be a done deal. The public would never know there was a negotiation process. Headlines would simply say “Texas extends Brown’s Contract”. Everyone is happy.

    Report this comment

  • alsoraiderfan said:

    Would Leach up with a player with an attitude like his. I dont think so. Surely his players are getting disgusted with all of this, not to mention the balance of the coaching staff. We will miss him for many reasons but he has crossed the line with his demands. Maybe it is due to his “handlers” and if so it is time for him to terminate his deal with them and become his own manager. He is a lawyer, right. Opps, better not go there.

    Report this comment

  • alsoraiderfan said:

    This isn’t Austin and may it never become one.

    Report this comment

  • Clay said:

    ExRedRaiderFanatic,

    A coach refuses to sign a contract extension & you’re ready to become a LONGHORN fan?

    You are not, nor have you EVER been, a fanatic.

    I’ve been a fan my whole life, and a bit of turbulence won’t change that for me. Have some faith, dude. Don’t fly off in a panic. Our chancellor is smart, and he definitely wants what’s best for TECH.

    I’ll buy your Red Raider crap. I could use more.

    –a real fan

    Report this comment

  • XX said:

    Rivals.com says Ruffin McNeal to be head coach if not Briles.

    Report this comment

  • ExRedRaiderFanatic said:

    A real fan doesn’t reward a deliberate return to mediocrity. A real fan demands excellence & punishes failure. Good enough isn’t good enough for me. We were getting close to great and the Board of Regents are about to throw that away.

    This is no different than the time Jerry Jones fired Jimmy Johnson after Johnson handed him two straight Super Bowls. I was a real fan of the Cowboys until that day. A season ticket holder. I travelled to both those Super Bowls. I haven’t given a dime to Jerry Jones since then & barely follow the Cowboys anymore. Which is hard to do when you live in Dallas and love football.

    Texas Tech will live to regret this.

    Report this comment

  • Rob said:

    If Myers fires Leach, I’ll never be at another Tech function. It is the stupidest thing I ever heard. It will make Tech and Lubbock a National laughing stock. If Myers was gone, as he should be, I don’t believe Coach Leach would be going through attorneys to talk to anyone. If this goes down, Tech doesn’t deserve to be anything more than a second tier program and they will be lucky if they can get a coach that can accomplish that under Myers. This sounds real similar to the problems that exist at the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders; bad Management that won’t let a good coach do his job.

    Report this comment

  • TECHsan said:

    I go along with Joe on February 17th, 2009 7:26 pm

    Leach’s only problem is being passive towards his agents’ handling of his contract. THEY shopped him around. THEY advised him to reject the new offer. THEY don’t (didn’t) want him to sign because THEY wanted to keep his business. THEY obviously don’t care that his stock is obviously hurt after this little carnival. THEY don’t care about recruiting. THEY don’t care about his record for anything but their personal gain. IMG is to blame for the circus.

    I have my praises and I have my rants about both Leach and the administration, but the party I have nothing but bitterness towards is IMG. I believe that the offer from Tech was purely to drive IMG out of the situation. We like Mike. I wanted him to sign today, honestly. But, at the same time, I’m okay that he didn’t. It’s time we stopped wondering, and recruits stop wondering, and players, and coaches, and boosters, and FANS stop wondering, where Baldwin and O’Hagan think Leach will be more profittable for them.

    All we want is a little loyalty, who cares about outside interests. I attend Texas Tech University, not Mike Leach care of IMG University

    Report this comment

  • NANA said:

    I would like to know when Myers was appointed God over the football program at TTU? If you listen to his hogwash he is the only one capable of making a decision at Tech and his word is law. I think someone needs to remind him that he also a paid employee of Tech and can be removed at any time. That is, of course, if Hance and the Board have the guts to stand up for whats really best for Tech.

    No Leach didn’t get us to the national chanmpionship but ranked no. 2 was a lot closer than anyone else has ever gotten us.

    Report this comment

  • Charlie said:
  • EXRedRaiderBaller said:

    Why did Myers have to put a deadline on things? I think it just proves they are trying to run Mike off….

    Report this comment

  • NANA said:

    Do you think Myers ever gets tired of being an embarrasement? Do you think Hance ever tiredsof having to apologize? We are tired of their views being shoved down the throats of those of us have to pay for our tickets.

    Lets put it to a formal vote. Everybody who wants Myers to go vote for number 1. Everybody who wants Leach gone vote for number 2. We’ll count the votes at 10 and send it in. No hanging chads on this one.

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    We made the headlines on ESPN.com. Shameful!

    Report this comment

  • EXRedRaiderBaller said:

    Im curious what people think of the memo written by former Tech alumn and placed in the AJ via paid advertisement…..

    Link is at the top of the page of lubbockonline.com

    http://www.lubbockonline.com/

    Report this comment

  • ttalum96 said:

    Myers needs to go!

    Report this comment

  • Tech Waco Watcher said:

    All of you who think it will be Art Briles, here are the reasons that it won’t happen. 1) contract stipulations he has with Baylor. He cannot leave for another Big12 South school without a LARGE buy-out. 2) If you know anything about him, he would never leave Baylor and slap the face of the school that gave him a chance.
    As for Coach McNeil. I cannot imagine under any circumstances he would take this job. He is too classy of a man to do that to Coach Leach.
    As for Gary Patterson. He has just signed a 5 year contract at 2M per year. He loves Fort Worth and has a supportive admin. at TCU who has given him everything he has asked for. He has a good thing that is only getting better. And NO PRESSURE.
    That leaves Tech with Myers first choice. Welcome Back to Lubbock, Sonny Dikes. We will get to see how well his version of the Air Raid offense does over the next 3 or 4 years.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Ruffin McNeal to be head coach, that’s a half promotion since he’s already co-head coach! That’s something people are forgetting that Leach who doesn’t like the day to day duties of a head coach (and has pawned that off) still wants to be paid like one!

    I think Myers will take one for the school and resigned though all this is not his fault, (it’s the BOR); but he loves TTU. Would Leach do this, I doubt it.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    It’s really Leach’s agents fault, but it takes two to tango and Tech’s strings are being pulled by BOR.

    Report this comment

  • Tech Waco Watcher said:
  • Louis Thomas said:

    Tech and Kent Hance talk about loyalty, but they ignore the fact that Mike Leach reached out in the Spring of ‘08 and asked for a longer committment in the quiet days of April and was told “let’s see how it goes this year!” No one can disguise that response in any terms other than ” Screw you. Stern letter to follow” Even with this insult, Mike Leach, his staff, and the Tech athletes exceeded preseason expectations and produced a season to remember for a long time to come. Even now, Mike Leach has taken and kept the high ground in this mess, and the damage to Tech’s credibiity can only be restored by replacing the people who believe they are representing Tech’s best interests by getting rid of them instead. Tough times require tough decisions. Who is going to stand up?

    Report this comment

  • MyersHater said:

    I will let you in on a little secret. They are trying to get rid of leach to bring in tommy tubberville. It’s in the works. Bob knight had a job before he even fired coach dickey. All because osama bin red raider… I mean myers. It makes sense that he wants leach gone before spring practice which starts in 3 weeks. And not to sounnd

    I love tech and will always support them but if leach gets fired I may give up my season tickets which is the only way you get the board of regents to listen. Just don’t be surprised if we have a new coach by next week. Myers won’t fire leach without already having soebody in the works.

    Report this comment

  • johnny said:

    If not Leach?
    Fulmer!, Fulmer!, Fulmer!
    Gruden! Gruden!, Gruden!

    Report this comment

  • Pirate of the South Plains said:

    Louis I couldn’t agree with you more. After I graduated in 80 I would follow the football program half heartedly after relocating to the DFW area. An occasional win against UT and a & m. Maybe a how hum bowl in which we would lose.

    Leach arrives and all of a sudden I am going on roadtrips back to Lubbock and the yearly trouncing of the aggies. With some perks the Gator Bowl was possible and was awesome.

    This was the year Tech made a splash on the national level. Unfortunately, looks like we are going to make news again with the way our administrators treat the “coach of the year”.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Louis Thomas, wrong Leach was under contract and wanted more money. Plain and simple. Sure, he wanted extention, but it would also undo terms of the existing contract. That should be Tech stance to finish existing and additional years would be under new terms and more salary.

    Report this comment

  • derek said:

    FIRE MYERS!!!

    Report this comment

  • Trooper Keeton (Author) said:

    1. Trooper Keeton class of 69 on Your comment is awaiting moderation. February 16th, 2009 6:10 pm

    Mike or the higher ups moved the game for the money or they decided to roll the dice and not wait for 2010. Last year we ruined the Longhorns season just like 1967. But this time with all the big BCS money it hurt even worse. So if we can get back to business, get Taylor ready, get the linebackers making there drops when McCoy makes his and have them stay on their toes so they can come up and get him if he takes off. Here are the stakes and they are alot higher for Ut. The country sees us at a level near the mighty Longhorns. If we go in there with a rookie Qb and beat them with their Pistola McCoy we will surpass them for the first time like Virgina Tech has surpassed Virgina. If we don’t then there will be 2010. If we beat them and OU in 2010 we will be the top college football team in Texas. So please Mike without showing it, take the negotiations into your own hands and go with your gut. For more go to the football player section at http://www.trooperkeeton.com

    Report this comment

  • brad said:

    Not surprising, but still frustrating. Tech is approaching the deal as though they have some leverage and can’t admit to themselves that they really don’t. The team just had their best season in over 30 years and have been to 9 straight bowl games. I can’t disagree with some of the points Tech is making in regards to the provisions of the contract (buyout, permission to interview), but the bottom line is that the team is enjoying their best run in history, getting good PR (outside of this contract issue) and just had one of their best recruiting classes.

    I feel a lot of momentum built over the last few years will come crashing down if a deal doesn’t get done soon. Having this dark cloud over the team this summer going into the 09 season will be a HUGE distraction.

    Maybe if Meyers fostered a more positive working relationship with Leach, the whole ‘asking for permission’ wouldn’t have been an issue?

    Report this comment

  • Trooper Keeton (Author) said:

    1. Trooper Keeton class of 69 on Your comment is awaiting moderation. February 16th, 2009 5:45 pm

    Well I actually checked in to talk about the moving of the Tech /Texas 09 football game.So first let me answer all this misdirection. We are experiencing the Peter Principle (it’s where you want to be and then you blow it). Kids, its all about the money we don’t have and the money that UT doesn’t want to lose. Look ! Leach is on a National level and we the Red Raiders are almost there. The reason Myers and Hance are acting the way they are is because we don’t have the money Mike might bring. And until Mike quits showing his hand to Stoops, learns to change his signals and snooker his master, he is not going to get the really big money.So please everybody get off there high horses and settle.
    Now for the solution. With the 2009 Tech/Texas game set for National TV the whole world will be watching. UT will not be able to count on the officiating to win the game for them after so many witnessing the two previous match ups. To be continued

    Report this comment

  • Pirate of the South Plains said:

    WATCHDOG, He won the Gator Bowl and had proved his worth during his stay in Lubbock. What did you expext for him to ask for? Less money? That’s the way the game is played. Top progams try to keep good coaches by offering extensions. Not running them off.

    Report this comment

  • TJ said:

    The future of Tech football without Mike is like Michigan, A&M, Miami, Florida State and University of Tennesee. It seems that everyone has forgot what it is like to be a nobody. Even OU missed bowl games before Stoops took over. No good or great coach will be willing to make less than 2.8 million a year. Even Iowa States sorry 6-6 coach makes more money than that. My prediction is 2-3 years of winnings only will add up to this past years winnings. Well at least Texas A&M can finally beat Tech in the next few years.

    Report this comment

  • XX said:

    Oscar Myers your a weiner!

    Report this comment

  • Carl Pelphrey said:

    I hope this Friday’s meeting of the Regents isa sign that cooler heads may be prevailing…If I wereMr.Hance I’d be furious that the AD had put the University in such an unbelievably awkward situation. 11-2, arguably TTU’s most successful year on the football field; Coach Leach’s 3 national Coach of the Year awards; recruiting up; and an all-arouund good feeling about the direction football is headed in Lubbock, TX…and we’re at the point of severing ties with our coach. INCREDIBLE! Surely the B.O.R. (Regents) will consider the big picture and not be caught up in the vindictive behavior of those in the University, primarily the AD, who are responsible for this ridiculous situation.

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    anybody that doesn’t think myer would screw somebody over needs to remember james dickey!!
    anybody that doesn’t think myers would look out for his best interest needs to remember this!!!

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    oh myers why dont u fire them all if ur going to fire our only winner!!!

    Report this comment

  • Pirate of the South Plains said:

    What are the chances the regents ask Myers to leave on Friday?

    Report this comment

  • Thrash said:

    The fix is in. Myers graduated in ‘59. That makes him at least 70. So he fires Leach and then retires. The guy behind it all stays behind with clean hands. That’s what happens when you are working with politicians.

    Report this comment

  • RT said:

    You know…

    I just can’t wait for Myers, Hance, BOR to cave in to all _____ing & moaning from those of you that pray at the foot of Leach’s alter. Reason being is that I want to hear what you’re saying a year from now (maybe 2) after some big time program comes in to town writes Tech a $500,000 check and whisks all your hopes and dreams away!

    Report this comment

  • RT said:

    LEACH THANKS RALLY-GOERS FOR SUPPORT

    Marlena Hartz AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

    “Roughly 40 people, mostly students and a smattering of Tech alumni, rallied on the Texas Tech campus this morning to support Mike Leach, the university’s star football coach whose agents are locked in contract negotiations with Tech administrators.”

    LOL LOL LOL

    40 PEOPLE!!!!!

    ROTFLMAO!

    Report this comment

  • Carl Pelphrey said:

    nice having a Coach that other teams are interested in…don’t expect we’ll keep him forever…..he’s been here longer than i expected though…who knows..

    Report this comment

  • Eric Houston said:

    Strange and imperfect as he is, Leach is a great coach of which lubbock was lucky to have. It was inevitable that he would outgrow the town and the university. This is a truly sad day for tech. But since tech has done this to themselves it will be fun to watch the organization bleed until Myers is fired. What a joke. 11-2 and they can’t at least be cool about this.

    Signed,

    Happy to be in Houston.

    Report this comment

  • Mike said:

    A Head Coach develops a reputation for an annual review of jobs to see if he is marketable on the HC market, meanwhile his staff, his assistant coaches, and the administration who all work to support his efforts as an HC are doing their best to provide incentive to high school recruits.

    Coach Lettrell has told us all by his actions what is the issue, he cannot be as successful in that kind of environment as a top notch recruiter, which he has demonstrated, so he changed jobs.

    That is the problem, ML wants to work the coaching market and leave everyone else (admin and assistant coaches) doing damage control, it is not working out very well currently…looks like he may be unemployed soon.

    Report this comment

  • Raider76 said:

    Most of you guys are blaming Meyers for the contract problem… I am not fond of Meyers, but he is just a spoke person for Hance and BOR.

    I like coach Leach, but I do have a problem with his loyalty. This “being available” for any job openings in the country is disturbing, and he never put down any rumors about him being available – It’s a big distraction, and it’s happens every year…. – I run a business – If a guy who works for me keeps talking to other companies (behind my back???) about other job opportunities while being paid very well by me, I would get rid of him in a flash. Loyalty and showing respect for the university are alos very important, in my opinion.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Leach’s agents have tried to renegotiate every year on his success and the threat that he might go somewhere else.

    Problem is, there are 8 bowl games alotted to the Big 12 now, so much of his success is circumstantial. Another problem, nobody else is interested in him.

    So, Tech administration played along for 3 or 4 renegotiations, but now they have reached the top of the scale. His agents still tried to gouge them for more, showing no loyalty or compromise. Now, TTU admin is sick of them. They will not be toyed with by slimeballs over Leach’s madeup value. He has no more value.

    Now, Tech is not going to pay him more than the market will bear without harsh stipulations. Tech was willing to pay 12.1 without the clauses, but Leach declined and went to interview in Washington.

    Report this comment

  • Robert said:

    I don’t think I have seen the paranoia and lack of self esteem shown in the majority of the preceding posts in a long time. If MLeach desides to stay, so be it; but if he decides to leave, Tech will be OK. There are many strong, young coaches out there who can step into the talent pool that we have now and do well. Never fear something that you cannot control. No one is going to control Leach. He has had an annual post season job hunt for the past few years without getting a nibble from the big programs; but sooner or later, he may be successful. When he doesn’t get what he wants, everyone seems to think it is Myers’ or someone else’s fault. He has a great offensive mind, but is almost below average in every other aspect of the game. He has done well; but many of his wins have come by the skin of the teeth (examples: Minnesota, Nebraska, Virginia to name a few) or by beating inferior teams (examples: SHSU, Indiana State, UMass, Eastern Washington and on and on) . Don’t be afraid of change; Tech will come out OK. It is in Leach’s own hands. Personally, I have grown tired of the annual theater

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    All y’all complaing about the dirty laundry that’s been made public…all this was “private” till Leach spoke about 4 clauses to the media, then with AJ’s request for open records we got where we are. Leach once again misplayed his hand.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Did you say 12 MILLION? ;-)

    Report this comment

  • AngryRaider said:

    If Leach misplayed his hand, why is Tech losing the best coach it ever had? When you’re looking at a 6-5 record next year, will it still look like Leach was the one playing a bad hand of poker here? Tech just destroyed their football program for what? Beats me.

    Report this comment

  • Joe said:

    Remind me again what other programs have been interested in Leach?

    He has shopped himself for the last 3 or 4 years and not gotten close to an offer.

    If this is Myer’s fault why is Hance so dense he can’t see it? If this is Myers and Leach’s fault why is the Board of Regents so dense they can’t see it? When it is everybody involved versus Leach, as some point logic says you have to conclude it is a Leach problem.

    Frankly, I wanted and want Leach to stay. He is doing the job of an offensive coordinator and getting paid like a head coach, but he is a great offensive coordinator and to a degree it is working (can’t win titles, but can be in top 20, which is not bad).

    But at this point, unless he accepts a high buy-out , and say all the right things, or no recruit will ever again believe he will be there at the end of their eligibility.

    And if Leach doesn’t do just that, Tech has no choice but to get rid of him immediately – because spring practice is coming and recruiting is a year around effort.

    Report this comment

  • alsoraiderfan said:

    Nobody seems to remember that this is first and foremost a University for the purpose of providing a good education. It is not a professional sports association. During my four year tenure I did not see a lot of outstanding football games, but I got a good education. My heros were a few of my key professors, not the football coach. Leach and his agents are responsible for this mess. You can only push your employer so far.

    Report this comment

  • Phil R said:

    Wow, it’s too bad there’s not a minimum IQ requirement to participate in this discussion. I’m dumber for having read such kneejerk drivel.

    Report this comment

  • Jerry said:

    Brian,
    Only an idiot would add the 4 extra provisions to a contract after it had been presented and excepted.
    Tech will not ever replace Leach, All we have to look forward too is another hayseed like Spike, the eternal 6-5 coach.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Joe your wrong. There is no time to do a proper and deserving search. I would let Leach finish out the year and bowl game then get a new coach no sooner than January 2010. I would make it clear that Leach is done no matter what the players do on the field. If Leach accepts a continuation of existing contract for 10 years then Tech will accept that and call off the search. Up to Tech to increase salary. Leach blew it with his and agents antics to make that their domain.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    “excepted”?

    Your knowledge is so great. The pre 4 clauses offer was NOT accepted by Leach only the base salary amount. There’s more to a contract than just that!

    Now get back to your homework. Middle school’s bedtime is approaching.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    He don’t look too happy in that pic. Does he know he’s misplayed the cards? and that doesn’t mean the other hand’s any better. There are more than two players in this game. 40 people? You would think by reading the boards that there would be thousands….

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    And that sweatshirt…it’s free. IRS you reading? Palin’s going to find that April will be interesting as well.

    Report this comment

  • bull said:

    Someone needs to be the adult in this whole situation!

    Report this comment

  • bull said:

    Someone needs to be the adult in this deal…way down the road toward everybody loses.

    Report this comment

  • Freddie said:

    I told you that only students would show up! They thought there was going to be free beer & pizza!!!!

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    I hope national guests who are reading this blog realize that the anti-Leach people are from Texas, A&m, and OU. We know what Mike Leach has done for Texas Tech and the city of Lubbock and we appreciate his effort and knowledge. Its one thing if we lose him to a wealthier program, but lets don’t run him off. After all, how good would he really be if no other school wanted to talk to him. I think he has earned the right to be in demand.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Jerry,

    If the contract had been accepted then we would not be here discussing an unsigned contract. Leach has not accepted any of the offers, correct? Saying Tech will never replace Leach is hilarious. I know HS coaches that can get at least 6 wins, in fact there are HS teams in Texas that can beat up our OOC schedule. I am not sure how Spike even plays in this scenario, except for the fact that he would not embarass Tech EVER in the way Leach has.

    Report this comment

  • flash lite said:

    Whoa! The BOR are meeting Friday. Based on their previous actions me thinks Pirate Leach is in for a little surprise. Batten down the hatches, me hardys, and set the sails . Also, have the wife call a realtor. I can’t believe the Pirate did not “MAN UP” and work something out at this mid-nite hr. I guess the Pirate really does think now HE is bigger than the team. At least his Al Franken Minnesota agents sold him on that idea. Coach! I am so sorry for you as you are a good guy. But for all your education how can you be so thick sculled?!

    I always figured Chance Hance and AD Myers would be polite and just avoid the Pirate before firing him next December. But his agents should never have messed with our BOR belittling them as such by circumventing the Chancellor and AD (even tho they SAID it was an accident – yeah, right & so was the Titanic). I believe the administration (yep! our GOB network) has had it up to the eyeballs with this man and no longer wish to tarnish our beloved school’s reputation with the press, etc. He had one last chance to make amends, but did not. And, the sad thing….. I really figured about 1500 to 2000 leach student fans would be at the rally- but 40?! Whoa!!! Even they did not care enough to make a little splash for the Pirate.

    The mamas and the pappas use to sing – Monday, Monday! How good to me……..I’m afraid the Pirate will sing Friday, Friday- such woe to me!

    Oh, yeah! There will be blood…….and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    A jester is in “demand” from a king! But is not a knight!

    Report this comment

  • CORY WHITAKER said:

    When was the last time sold out of season football ticketsbefore this year? Never

    Give Leach what he wants. Fire Myers, take money from the basketball programs and put towards Leachs pay. I have been to 1A basketball games that have a bigger crowd then conference basketball games at Tech. Why would people want to come watch Tech get the hell beat out of them, they don’t Gerald Myers. Mr. Myers I will send you a copy of my resume if you would like me to for your job. I would a much better job then you are doing.
    Give Leach what he is worth and worry about your basketball programs, they suck.

    Report this comment

  • loose in lamesa said:

    Right on Flash – right on!! Or should we just say,ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!!

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Cory, “I would a much better…” I don’t think so. I can just see the ABC gameday interview with you now. Oh my eyes and ears.

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    Why would Tech break the current contract and fire Leach? What grounds would they have to do this? Why did Myers set a deadline for talks about an extention when there is two years left? Why did Tech fail to bargain in good faith by ending negotiations early? I think Tech has decided they can’t afford the money they offered OR someone higher up axed the deal. What did they do with all the money Leach brought in?

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Jim, Tech has no money to “fire” him as it would cost some $. If they let him coach to the end, there is a question about recruiting. I think that it would be fair to let him have one last ride in the saddle and then continue to ride west to hawaii (ship required, though pirates have that covered).

    I do wish Leach and Tech BOR would all meet and work this out. Maybe Friday? Will Leach be in town on Friday. He does travel a LOT!

    Report this comment

  • A-J Staff (Author) said:

    This comment was deleted in error…

    Jim on February 18th, 2009 1:13 am:

    Why would Tech break the current contract and fire Leach? What grounds would they have to do this? Why did Myers set a deadline for talks about an extention when there is two years left? Why did Tech fail to bargain in good faith by ending negotiations early? I think Tech has decided they can’t afford the money they offered OR someone higher up axed the deal. What did they do with all the money Leach brought in?

    Report this comment

  • Sooner for Life said:

    This is funny….This is why Tech always has and always will be the Worthless University. This stinks of small time Lubbock. I attended The University of Oklahoma because great things happen there. Ive found in life that big thinking successful people want to be around other big thinking successful people. Tech and all the people that attend school there (and live in Lubbock) are small time inferior people. They have no grand vision to accomplish anything. Leach is the best thing to ever happen to that university. We have a top 3 team coming back next year, and with Leach Tech has a legitimate shot to beat us. Myers and the Regents are treating him like a second class citizen. If I were a Tech fan I would be humiliated. Obviously Tech graduates are mentally inferior to the general public. What a disgrace!! Where are your alumni? Probably embarrassed to show their face in public. Oklahoma alumni would not stand for this!!! Do Myers and the Regents realize what a disgrace they are making tech appear to be to the rest of the country. You guys look like a bunch of dumb rednecks. All that blowing dirt out there sanded your brains away. I live in dallas and you guys are the butt of every joke in the office. You dumb fu–in dirt monkeys are hilarious.

    Hell yea…Fire Leach Baby!!! That guy is terrible!!! Bring back the old high school football coach!!!

    GO SOONERS

    Report this comment

  • BamPa said:

    I think it would be helpful if people would read the timeline of what happened and when:

    http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=188&f=1650&t=3942300

    Chancellor Hance asked Leach to meet with him face-to-face. He asked for the meeting on TV. Leach apparently never called or met with him. I don’t care where you work, that’s insubordination.

    I don’t expect Leach to have the sense to try to meet with Chancellor Hance before Friday, but the Board of Regents rule that requires notice to the BOR of a termination of the person in this position has given him some time.

    I believe Leach will be terminated for cause — insubordination. It will happen on Friday. Tech will not pay him a cent when they show him the door.

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    This is so senile. Hance with Myers in his back pocket is proving the ags right by acting like a two bit classless clown. Who would have ever thunk it back in November that we would be hearing rumors that the Greatest Coach in Tech History might be fired. I think Hance has over stepped his lil political a$$. I am out of town and ashamed that only 40 people showed up in support of Coach Mike Leach. This is worse than Tom Martin winning the Mayor election. You could put martin and myers side by side and they would win the grouchy twins award .Neither one could smile in a decade or two. But we got them carrying the flag.What a disaster. I just think we need to do some re thinking about who we are gonna let make the laws in this town. I say boot there arse before they destroy much more…..

    Report this comment

  • TommyD said:

    Leach’s remaining, on Tech’s terms, would be in the best interest of all of us. But he is not a TEAM player….He’s a Leach player.

    Granted, he has done some good things for Tech but the pirate shot himself in the foot and lost his strong negotiation leverage with his dismal coaching in the last three games, the surprise “Washington Interview” last fall, and his absolute lack of acknowledging the powers at Tech. It appears the “unconstrained-privileged-rebel” pirate, who captured many foreign vessels during his tenure, has lost the blessing of the king. Now, he either bows to the king, or he walks the plank next week. When he walks the plank, he will survive and then freely sail his ship to open waters.

    Bon voyage Captin Leach!

    Report this comment

  • Jim said:

    Oh come on BamPa. If you want to meet with an employee, you contact him directly and tell him of your desire to meet with him. You don’t say it on the 6:00 News. Why would Leach hire an agent and then go around them to negotiate on his own? He has said he doesn’t have time to mess with this.

    Report this comment

  • oldraiderfan said:

    This is just as bad as what’s happening on the academic side of things. Looks like it’s just part of the transition from Texas Tech University to the Kent Hance 4-Year Junior College.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    “If your leader does not want things as they are now …?”

    Excuse me it’s late, are you referring to Leach or Myers?

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    I am sorry it’s late you referring to Leach or Myers?

    “If your leader does not want things as they are now …”

    Report this comment

  • MIKE said:

    Kent Hance is looking for a legacy of his own and it appears to me that the “Grand Expansion” has got his name on it. There is a lot of money tied up in the “Grand Expansion” and Hance knows it. He would rather give us a bargain basement coach and keep his legacy intact. I used to have some respect for the guy, but no more.

    Report this comment

  • Wizard said:

    I appreciate Gerald Myers, Kent Hance and the Regents for watching out for the best interest of Texas Tech. You can’t let a football coach take the university hostage and they understand that. I’m looking forward to a new coach and what he can do. Maybe the next coach will have some integrity.

    Report this comment

  • realjwc said:

    I am going to say it again.

    It IS about money……. 70-100 MILLION dollars for stadium and facility expansions……… Stadium ticket OPTIONS just to have the privelege of attending Tech games….. raised ticket prices………… moving games to other venues…..

    C’mon……… who are we all kidding???

    MONEY. period….. nothing else, not pride, not loyalty, not support, not honor…..(Myers, Hance, etc.) It is NOT Tech’s money……. it is yours and mine (those of us who really support Tech Athletics).

    One thing is for certain………. period….. without Leach, we are heded BACK to the days when UTEP, NW La., SE La, Utah St. all drew 25,000-30,000 fans instead of hte 51,000 the last three years.

    Watch!!! (35 years of following Tech Football talking)

    Report this comment

  • bull said:

    How do you spell Art Briles?

    Report this comment

  • Tony Vitz said:

    Maybe I will thank Meyer and company later, but I doubt it. I probably spend too much time and money on Tech football anyway. You’ve already lost a lot by the way you’re handling this. You need to accept the fact that we are on our way b/c of Leach. He may not be as perfect as you think you are, but he is real (genuine) like West Texas. Your attitude about this disgusts me. I will follow Leach if he goes and Tech will be in worse shape than major league baseball during the strike.

    It is worth the money just to keep watching those Aggies cry.

    Report this comment

  • wingswest said:

    I like coach Leach, i like the Offense and i love Tech. But it doesnt matter how many records that Offense sets when the team has never had a top 10 finish. Scoring 50 points doesnt do any good when your opponent scores 65! Come on coach your have to know you are dealing with another coach. Especially when its an old BASKETBALL coach like Myers who knows this. Any big blue chip Defensive players recruited this year? And how long will it be before they play? Last years defense wont cut it !

    Report this comment

  • wes said:

    Whatta yall expect-Myers has managed to ruin the basketball program with the Pat Knight hire– why not ruin the only successful program we have. Thanks Gerald you are a real legacy! Oh well, it will save me a lot of money. Thanks Mike for all you did–it was a great ride!

    Report this comment

  • Dreaggo said:

    Hard to believe that people are having to buy space for an open letter to tell everyone how smart they are instead of letting their accomplishments speak for themselves. Goes to show that Hance could bring about world peace but be tossed aside over a sports dispute.

    Time to stop all sports and let schools teach with their budget. We wouldn’t have to listen to all the problem solvers out there that most likely cant even solve their own problems… some may never even have attended Tech or have advanced degrees… or any degree for that matter.

    Of course I know this is ridiculous to the average sports fan that thinks the world revolves around them and the sports they love. I guess while we’re at it we could let the 2 genius individuals that wrote the open letter to solve the economic crisis and end world conflict.

    Yeah… right.

    Report this comment

  • civitas said:

    Take a hike, Mike.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    If Leach were serious about being here, he could talk to Hance and probably have an agreement in 30 minutes. What does it say about him that he is unwilling to do this? For someone to go to the mat like Leach has on this extension would probably mean that he has a backup plan if negotiations are unsuccessful, or probably should have since Leach is a smart man (I wonder now). Last time I checked, there are very few coaching positions that pay an average of 2.54 million a year. He had better be having a new awakening today or tomorrow. The BOR is not meeting to give him a vote of confidence and continued success over the next couple of years. No doubt in my mind that they will terminate him on Friday.

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    I wanna say Thanks to Lynn Eastham and John Gray for the letter to Hance. Wishing there would have been a place where you could add your signature.I would have signed it in a heartbeat. I have no clue why Hance is acting like this but it is doing unjustified damage to the program that Mike Leach has developed. He needs to go back to Austin and leave Myers in his pocket until he gets there.If he left today that would be two weeks to late. So start packing yar bags Hance and take Myers with ya.

    Report this comment

  • Mike F said:

    The next time I get a call from the University asking for donations I’m going to send them Gerald’s way and let him pick up the slack and let my checkbook rest for awhile. When Gerald goes down the road kicking rocks we can reconsider.

    Report this comment

  • PrinceofHouston said:

    The sky is falling, the sky is falling. Good lord people if the Board of Regents fire him now they are idiots. If the Tech Admin doesn’t institute a cooling off period of say 30 days and then sit down at a table and talk face to face, they are bigger idiots.
    All I know is what the press reports, which would be about 50% of the total story, but I willing an impartial party could mediate a compromise on this within 4 hours.
    Some people know how a negotiation should go. The employer gives his proposal. The employee counters. The two sides make notes regarding what they agree on and what they disagree on The agreed to items are set aside, and they discuss the differences.
    This is not what appears to happen. If I was doing this, the conversation would be me, Chancellor Hance and Coach Leach. No Myers, no agents.
    I would start with the buyout clause. A buyout clause for both parties is a fair point. Both parties should enjoy a declining buyout structure. Leach’s buyout should he leave should be higher in the early years and decline the longer he stays. The opposite is true for the school. You resign him and fire him a year later, it should cost more.
    Second, the signing over the image rights is total BS. No one does this. Take it out period. I would agree to it myself, nor would Gerald Myers or Kent Hance. If they say they would they are liars.
    Asking permission to interview for another job, is a little overblown, but prior notification would be proper. Anyone pointing fingers saying all Leach does is job shop is full of it. The man has given Tech 9 of the best years it has ever had. We have a level of respectability we have never had, and now they are trying to throw it all away. If you had someone come up and offer you what appears to be a better job, you would consider it. It is your obligation to yourself and your family to grow and prosper in your career. Why should Coach be any different?
    As I said, I see a lot of what the press reports, and all I can say is that there was a word coined down here on Houston Sports radio that fits in this situation. That word is jackassery. There is a lot of that going on in Lubbock the past few months on both sides. Now it is time for a cooler head to step in and get this situation resolved to an acceptable end for all parties before the powers that be do something really stupid and toss the football program out with the bathwater. Note: it is the only really successful program you have right now. I don’t want to have Tech fall back to 2nd tier status. I won’t support it.
    PS for those that thinks Art Briles would come in and take over, think again. He and Myers don’t like each other either.
    You best bet would be to try to lure the OC for 2 years ago that left for U of H to come back and play with these players. You bring in a non-spread coach right now, and you are 2 to 3 years at least getting back to competitive football. This is a team made of of Leach system players. Some may or may not fit in another system. Think about that for 5 minutes before you do something stupid.

    Report this comment

  • RonH said:

    I’m not particularly a big fan of Gerald Myers but he, Hance and the BOR seem to have approached Leach’s contract negotiations in a straightforward and businesslike manner. No matter what anyone’s feelings about any Tech administrators, they are completely justified in wanting assurances that our coach isn’t job-shopping at the end of every season. Come on Coach Leach, it’s time to show your loyalty to the school and the AD thast gave you the opportunity to become a head coach. And also Coach, keep in mind that no other school (UCLA, Miami, Washington, Tennessee, Auburn or any of the others you have talked with about coaching vacancies) has ever offered you a job. It’s not like the great football schools are beating down your door. Ditch your low-life, self-serving, money-grubbing agents and tell all us, unequivocably, that you want to be Texas Tech’s Head Coach for the next 5+ years. Otherwise, pack up and hit the road.

    Report this comment

  • Pa Bear said:

    We’re basically screwed. It never should have gotten this far, and when Leach goes, which it looks like he will no later than Jan. 1, 2010, then who would want to come here and be treated like this. Someone with no proven track record or big time experience. There’s a longshot such a coach would do great, but there’s also a more likely scenario that we will plummet back to mediocrity or worse. Since it doesn’t seem to be about the money, it looks more like the administration is just looking to go a different direction. How about some accountability for them?

    Report this comment

  • jt said:

    If Leach wants a contract like Brown and Stoops he needs to win a National Championship and conduct himself like a professional. If I were a potiential recruit and saw the OU and Ole Miss games not to mention the silly pirate costumes I would pass on this glorified high school and look elsewhere. Tech is a real University isn’t it? Let’s start looking like one.

    Report this comment

  • Johnny said:

    Keep Leach and fire Myers. This is just an ego trip for Myers, he never was a decent coach and so he was made the AD. If Tech wants to go backwards as they have in the past, they are on the correct path. Leach is not the problem, Myers is!!!!!

    Report this comment

  • TECH AD said:

    This is really funny to read:

    A quote from Steve Spurrier:

    “In college football if contract negotiations take longer then 48 hours there is a big problem.”

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    I think this is a conspiracy by our governor whom is an aggie. Who has been a thorn in the aggies side for the last nine years.. Who appoints the chancellor and regents the governor . Ags couldn’t beat us on the field so Perry whom has appointed all of the current regents and chancellor did some Illinois Bagonavich appointing. There a rat somewhere in all of this filth and I do believe it starts with an aggie governor.

    Report this comment

  • Bobert said:

    You Tech folks are getting your pants on fire over the wrong coaching situation. One guy and One guy only is responsible for the Knight Family Trust running TTU men’s basketball and that is Gerald Myers. After last week’s decision by “Lucky Genes” Knight to not double team All American Blake Griffin inside, in order to “pressure” the conference’s eighth rated ouside shooters, Pat Knight should be given 30 minutes to get the hell out of Lubbock. That won’t happen, so you need to give Myers 15 minutes to get out. Then you put Knight’s salary onto Leach’s and he stays. Replace Knight with a good volunteer coach from the YMCA and all is well. Football has Leach and basketball has lost nothing.

    Report this comment

  • CasaMaker said:

    The simple fact is the regents want a commitment from Leach that he will be their coach for the next few years. A $500,000 buyout lets him leave anytime he wants. Leach wants everything, but is unwilling to commit. Without a noticeable buyout, It is assured Leach will be shopping around every year!! What does that do to recruiting and stability?

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    Clarifying the above for the more simpler minded. Leach has been a thorn in the aggies rear since he has been here. Perry appoints the regents and chancellor but by doing this he just asks a favor. Well’s he is calling in his favor. Why else would the Best Coach in Tech history. After going 11-2 and having back to back Games of the week televised on ABC ever have to deal with his name being brought up as a possibility of being fired. He has brought record attendance along with the highest graduating classes in the Big 12. Its just dang right ludicrous……..

    Report this comment

  • AngryRaider said:

    Those of you happy to see Leach fired after he gave Tech it’s greatest season ever, I hope you enjoy your sub .500 records in the years to come. I’ve given my last nickel to the Red Raider Club. And I’ll be saving the cost of flying into Lubbock for all the home games.

    Report this comment

  • Tex said:

    Rob on February 17th, 2009 7:58 pm
    “If Myers fires Leach, I’ll never be at another Tech function. It is the stupidest thing I ever heard. It will make Tech and Lubbock a National laughing stock.”

    I got news for you Rob, TTU and Lubbock have ALWAYS been a laughing stock, you just never noticed.

    Welcome back to 7-5 and Independence Bowls.

    Report this comment

  • toby in allen said:

    Gerald Myers, Bobby Gleason, Ron Damron, Jennifer Brashier, Steve Uryasz you are all getting what you deserve.
    I hope the whole thing falls off the map because people like you eventually get what’s coming to them and guess what, this is it…
    You may sit back and say, “this won’t bother me at all” but I can assure you, people on the outside looking in are laughing at all five of you…
    Texas Tech, if you want to get rid of some dead weight, start with the five names at the top of this letter…

    Report this comment

  • Soapsuds said:

    Somebody get Briles on the phone — QUICK!

    Report this comment

  • Soapsuds said:

    Here’s something everyone should read BEFORE forming their opinions based solely on isolated news reports. It’s a copy of actual emails from Leach’s (bozo) agent Matt Baldwin and Hance and various Board members. This was obtained by the Dallas Morning News on an open records request:

    http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/02-09/0210techdocuments.pdf.pdf

    Report this comment

  • baby-face said:

    Do you think Myers or Hance has talked to a possible new coach or two while Mike Leach is still under contract with Texas Tech?
    Surely that would be a conflict-of-interest with a loyalty problem tied to it…
    I guess it was OK for Gerald Myers to seek out Bobby Knight while James Dickey was still the basketball coach at Texas Tech.
    I guess it all comes down to what Myers wants and what he will do to get it…

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Good reading. I thought Leach has a say in scheduling. We play and PAY powderpuffs to come to Lubbock rather than pimping ourselfs out to the big boays like Spike. I did like that about Spike that he wasn’t affraid. Ever known a pirate who’s affraid?

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    I will write it again so that those of you who have and ax to grind with Gerald Myers. This contract situation has been out of his hands for a long time. He might be talking to the press, and issuing statements out of his office but any contract of this size will be coordinated through the Chancellor and the BOR. Those of you who continue to ask for Myers head are looking for someone to roast for this situation. There is plenty of blame to go around on both sides.

    Report this comment

  • HOTROD said:

    I SAY LET MIKE LEACH GO. HE’S JUST TRYING TO GET MORE MONEY. THIS SHIP HAS SAILED.

    Report this comment

  • say what? said:

    brian,
    Everybody knows that Myers has someones hand stuck up his ass (puppet).
    We all know he’s an idiot and we all know that it’s been a long time coming that a coach like Mike Leach has had the balls to go around Myers to get with the Chancellor and the BOR about a new deal.
    Gerald Myers has no business skills to be in the ring with these cut-throat, money-hungry decission makers (both sides).
    Let Myers go back to what he was doing before he was given the AD job, reading the sports page all day and having lunch in the athletics dining hall.

    Report this comment

  • Redraidersrule said:

    Say hello to a half empty stadium, declining season ticket renewals/sales, a drop in contributions to the Red Raider Club, support for the rest of the schools athletic programs, recruiting, etc. Don’t kid yourself, because of this fiasco, every Tech athletic program will suffer the consequences. This is an embarrassment to everyone that calls themselves a Red Raider and the city of Lubbock, but mostly it is a sad, sad day for Texas Tech University for regardless of any of the other things that this school does outside of the athletic realm, this is what everyone on the outside will remember and associate with Tech.

    Report this comment

  • Foster said:

    No ax to grind with Myers, just accountability. It was his job to get this contract extension done…his. The result, a further isolated head coach, no contract execution and a fractured fan base.

    Doesn’t matter if Mike and his agent contributed to the mess. They will deal with that after Leach is gone. Meanwhile at Tech, someone will have to pay for this disaster. It must be Myers.

    As with the accredidation issue, someone had to pay whether they directly committed the mistep or not. Within a short period of time, Tech had a new president.

    Myers is history or the football donations will suffer.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    I guarantee everybody that is worried about it, Tech can go 2-6 or 3-5 in Big 12 play with 150 different coaches available right now. After that, all a guy has to do is play 4 patsies in non conference every year, like Mike has done, and go 4-0 in non conference. That guarantees a 6-6 or 7-5 season at the least. If we get a good coach, 8-4 or even 9-3 become possible.

    But everybody keep in mind when you discuss Leach that if you play the non conference foes he plays, you are virtually guaranteed to go to a bowl game, even in your worst years. All you have to do is win 2 conference games, and Tech will always and forever be tough enough at home to win 2 conference games.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    So you must be on the BOR then Foster to assume that it was all GM’s responsibility to get the contract done. I suppose that Myers could have agreed to the 5/15mil deal and everyone would have been happy. I wonder if he would have had a job after that?

    It matters greatly that Leach has been a jackass in this ordeal. Last time I checked he is part of this negotiation, right? From all that I have seen, Leach’s side has not had any intent to work a deal for him. They were content to dictate terms and force Tech to grab the ankles.

    Comparing this situation to an accredidation issue is comparing apples to oranges, and not relevant.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Raiderdefender,

    You are spot-on. This to me is why I am not going crazy if Leach gets shown the door. Our team is good enough to have a good year, and it is likely that if we did seek to part ways we would go after someone who has the same ideas regarding the offense. Maybe they bring back Anae from BYU to head up the team?

    For everyone to act like Bear Bryant has been disrespected, I continue to look at the records and trophy case relating to the hiring of Mike Leach. He wasn’t hired to win the Big XII South, he was hired to win the Big XII. He wasn’t hired to go to the Gator Bowl or the Cotton Bowl, he was hired to go to a BCS bowl. As far as his W/L record, he SHOULD be the winningest coach in history when he has loaded up on the Eastern Washington’s of the world for 9 years. He was the leader until Bill Snyder came back, in playing the weakest OOC schedule in history. Class 2A HS teams in Texas play tougher teams than we do in OOC play. Pathetic.

    Report this comment

  • AngryRaider said:

    66 teams go to bowl games at last count. It’s not exactly something to brag about. We have a chance to be great & everybody is arguing that they would rather be just good enough.

    Report this comment

  • LKP (TTpilk645 on DT Nation) said:

    In the event Mike Leach eventually leaves Tech, the replacement, regardless of ability, will have a very difficult time matching Leach’s accomplishments for several years. This is because whomever it is will have to recruit players for his system, not Leach’s. This will take several years, just like it took Leach several years to sign on the type of people he needed for his system. On top of that, he was on a learning curve as it was his first job as a Div-1 coach. Thus, it took him nine years to reach the level he was reaching for, with a chance to take the next one into national prominance on a continued basis. So, bottom line, it will take Tech’s next coach at least four years, more if he is a rookie or young coach, to come close to where Leach has taken the program. Also, the graduation rate of the football program has gradually improved under the Leach regime. Coincidence? Doubtful. All this does not make him irreplaceable, just difficult to match when, or if, replaced. Without the monetary backing of an elite program like Ohio State, Texas, USC, or Oklahoma, Tech cannot continually increase the coach’s salary to the levels of those elite programs. As difficult as this past year has been, it was innevitable, due specifically to the success of Leach. No previous Tech coach attained the consistency level Leach attained and that is why we are where we are now. Ego’s aside, this was going to happen, somehow, someway. Once this has played out to it’s entirety, we fans will be choaking on the dust for several years ahead. It could have been better, but we will never know for sure because the entities envolved never gave it a real chance. I would have loved for Leach to have remained here for many years, but it appears that will not happen. Hopefully, if and when a situation arises in the future where a change is emminant, things will be handled by both sides in a more professional manner, befitting of a top-line university, which, sadly, we apparently are not at this time. Let us hope this Friday meeting will heal some wounds and Leach will remain for many years. If not, then be prepared for a bumpy ride for the football program over that same period. Regardles, we as fans must continue to support this, our university of choice, come hell or high waters, and pray for intelligence to prevail.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    We hold the record for the longest continuous bowl eligible school in the Big 12. Sorry to OU, UT and lowly A&M! At current count it would be hard not to continue this streak even with a new coach. Take away some of the bowls like they schould (so it’s really an honor to play in one) and that might be different.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Angry raider, the point I am making is that Leach has been here 9 seasons, and after those last 3 games, it is obvious how far he still is from ‘great’ as you say. Now, his team is starting all over again.

    I like Leach, but he and his agents have continually pressed for more money to the point that it has become too much. Leach could have signed a 5 year, 12.1 mil deal in December. He wouldn’t. He wanted a 7 year, 21 mil deal. C’mon, man. He ain’t that good.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    LKP wise words.

    I think that Tech saw missed opportunities this years for Leach/Tech to make some money, because of Leach’s lack of PR/availability. That is the reason for the persona royalty clause. If you want the big bucks Leach you got to give in on some things!

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    The deal Tech proposed in December would have made Leach a top 15 paid coach nationally. Of the coaches he would still have remained behind, 8 have won a national championship and 13 have won a conference championship. Only Charlie Weis has done neither.

    The deal Leach’s agents proposed would have made him a top 8 paid coach.

    The current offer would make him a top 12 paid coach.

    And, guess what, Leach’s agents would have been back at the bargaining table within a year, they already promised that.

    Source: http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/collegehighestpaidcoaches.html

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Furthermore, all of those coaches have been to a BCS game.

    And one more thing, none of those schools would ever hire Leach.

    He simply does not have the bargaining power his agents claim.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, LSU,

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, LSU, Alabama, Ohio St, Florida, Iowa, Texas, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia.

    Those are the only schools paying their coaches more than Leach was offered.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Leach’s 2008 salary ranked 31st. Tech’s original offer to him (after the season but before the Cotton Bowl) would have moved him up to number 15.

    Seems to me like TTU is being more than fair.

    Report this comment

  • Maddog said:

    Brian, Spike embrassed the university every season with a 6-5 record. He got beat by Noth Texas. He is a courty bumpkin. You will not have another coach do as much with the players that Tech recuits.
    There will be no need for the expansion to contiue, Tech will be at the bottom of the Big 12 alot faster than folks think. No full stadiums for loosers.

    Report this comment

  • GUNSUP@TTU said:

    As a graduate, and a manufacturer in the collegiate industry (yes “ExRedRaiderFanatic, I heard you loud and clear) let us not forget the unbelievable sums of money the University stands to lose when interest in Texas Tech wans, God forbid we go back to mediocrity on the field. As a manufacturer of collegiate product, I pay huge sums in annual fees and monthly royalties to Texas Tech University (and others thank you), and if we lose the momentum of this last season, the university stands to lose in those royalty dollars as well. It is a fact, that winning drives sales. It is that simple. We all want to be winners. I love my Texas Tech Red Raiders, and I always will. I am proud of my degree and that my child is currently a senior. I have supported this university and I have the right to say…FIX THE CONTRACT AND GET HIM SIGNED!!

    Wreck ‘Em!!! TTU’85

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Products still not available in Craker Barrel and Walmarts, HEB etc. only 100 miles away from Lubbock! Leach’s interest isn’t that great of work there Guns up! Either that or your not marketing very well!

    Report this comment

  • Dub said:

    It will be nice to see Tech return to it’s quaint status as perennial also-ran, 7-4, Independence/Alamo/Sun bowl participant with Leach gone. Lubbock seems destined to never be able to compete with them big city folks – you know, like the ones in Norman.

    Report this comment

  • MIKE said:

    GUNSUP@TTU IS RIGHT ON TARGET.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Everyone who is for Leach seems to think we have played in all of these great bowl games throughout his career here. We are just two years removed from playing in the insight bowl people. The two times we have played as the second choice (Cotton Bowl) we have been beat, and got our rear end handed to us by ole miss. A monkey could win 9 games with an OOC schedule that Leach has. He is a good coach, but he overvalues himself in the open market. He better make sure he moves on next time he interviews for something else since this looks like it is over. Go get the U-haul Leach and start packing you are history. Good luck at Utah State.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Tech proposed to make Leach the 15th highest paid coach in the nation without the clauses, or the 12th highest paid with the clauses. He refused both offers.

    How is this anybody’s fault other than Leach and his agents?

    He has 4 top 25 finishes in 9 years, with one top 15 finish.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    If Mack Brown is making 2.9 mil, then isn’t 2.6 fair enough for Leach?

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Leach feels he needs more money beacuse he spent so much on those pizzas for the kids in line for the UT game.

    Report this comment

  • Benny said:

    You get what you pay for with Myers. He was, is and always will be a moron. You heard it hear long ago and I stand by it. He’s also a hothead who can’t stand anyone disagreeing with him. When you do, he throws temper-tantrums, screams, cusses and does everything but wet his pants. Tech will never get over the hump with a third-rate coach as their A.D.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    From Websters…

    Leach
    a: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation b: to draw out or remove as if by percolation

    Leach is “leaching” all the funds Tech has and wants more to drain it dry. Where’s the love Leach?

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Remember that Tech was competitive in the Big 12 before Leach got here. Therefore, Tech is a competitive program in a power conference that can afford to pay their coach a Top 15 salary.

    Don’t sell our beloved Tech short to say that we will be nothing without Leach. It is probably vice versa.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Benny, Leach is the one who went to the press with the disagreements and his agents went up the chain to push their points. Myers has only answered the press’ questions and not instigated anything. He’s not at fault on this, this time.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Here, here Raiderdefender, ditto that!

    Report this comment

  • Dub said:

    “Competitive” isn’t good enough, anymore.

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    RaiderDefender. Who U Defending Goober Dumb (Hance ) and Goober Dumber ( Myers) the people that have shamed Lubbock Texas and Texas Tech. Dang we R the laughing stock of collegiate sports… U got a lawyer that can’t even keep his rental property up, much less run the school that I have been so proud of for 50 years..(Hance) .. Hance get yar prancing shoes and go back to the corrupted world of politics… I think this has became down to who the best lawyer is… goober dumb and goober dumber have got the keys to our success and are abusing the sacred privilege… We need to have a revolt and take em back. For all you slicksters out there backing gerald up U haven’t a clue what yar saying. Yar either on the payroll or a Goober Dumber Than Dumb……

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Don’t you think Leach is trying to take Tech for all its worth?

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    dubya, do you think Tech should be paying Leach a Top Ten salary with that is fully guaranteed with no clauses to protect their investment?

    Because that is what Leach is demanding.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Forget about whether to sign him. Tech always wanted to sign him. His demands however, when compared with the rest of the nation, are just too high.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    As far as the rights to Leach’s name, his position at Tech facilitates the value for his endorsements and speaking engagements. See what his name is worth if he is no longer the coach at Tech.

    Report this comment

  • boomersooner said:

    If you want to keep up with the big boys you gotta pay like the big boys….maybe ya’ll can get Appalachian State to play in Big D ! Please get rid of the pirate so Lubbock won’t be so much of a headache to Stoops anymore ! LOL !!

    Report this comment

  • Dub said:

    Stoops gets $6.5 mil and can’t win the big one. Mack Brown gets over $3 mil, and won once. 31st on the pay scale don’t cut it for the first coach since Steve Sloan/Rodney Allison to even get close to competing at the national level – and Sloan got out of town as fast as he could. Like it or not, there’s been a fundamental sea change with Leach. Pay him.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Dub, Tech offered him an 800, 000 dollar per year raise that would have raised him to #15 in the nation on Dec 1. It also was void of any of these 4 notorious clauses.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Dub,

    You do realize that Mack and Stoops have both won the Big XII and MNC’s in their tenure. I don’t recall seeing one in the trophy case from Leach. We need to pay for hardware, and I don’t see any.

    Report this comment

  • Kellie McDonald said:

    WHEN IS MYERS’ CONTRACT UP?!?!? He’s such a “has-been”. Who does he think is going to sit in all those hundreds of new seats…especially after the current threats to give up seats!!!

    Report this comment

  • Dub said:

    Raiderdefender – True enough. And the recuiting class is nothing to get excited about. And what else is there to say about OU and Ole Miss? And Lubbock is still where kids go to when UT and A&M don’t pan out. And the dust still blows every spring. And Kent Hance and Gerald Myers et. al.,have been associated with Tech since time began. They’re decent guys who obviously care about Tech and Lubbock. Leach is still an outsider. Always will be. That’s his strength and his weakness. Clauses be damned, if you replace him, it’s back to the shadows.

    Report this comment

  • Doc Holliday said:

    Does Leach’s greed outweigh Tech’s need?

    I’m pretty sure we can find another coach for our perennial choke-artist Red Raiders.

    See ya, Mike!

    Report this comment

  • Hearing my friends laughing said:

    Enough already…Just fire him so we can get back to the mediocrity of earlier years. Obviously, Gerald and his crew do not understand that for one short season, we could hold our heads high. Now….I’m having a fire sale on my Tech crap (Previously memorabilia) as I am ashamed of the way both sides handled this.

    If the Administration is listening…Kiss my donations goodbye and to the folks in Lubbock – Guess I won’t be back to spend any money, Gerald and the crew don’t want me to feel good about my team.

    And yes, I graduated there, my father, my uncle, and I have two kids there so I have earned the right to say – Kiss my *** Gerald, you’ve blown it!

    Report this comment

  • Hearing my friends laughing said:

    But for one glorious moment….It was worth the ride. Guess I’ll have to live with that for then ext 40 years.

    Report this comment

  • Eric in New Mexico said:

    If Mike Leach is fired or run off, I will never again wear my Tech gear in public. Who wants to be ridiculed? I’ll still be a Red Raider fan, just not openly. I used to be proud to talk about Tech with others, but no more if this turns out bad. And, if it does, there is going to be a firestorm that Tech officials would not believe could occur. And Texas Tech will be the butt of comedian’s jokes for many years. How sad!

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Hey all you fair weather fans giving up your Tech stuff, guess your not a fan of the Chicago Cubs! Winning isn’t everything for a true FAN.

    Report this comment

  • texassunflower said:

    Rumor has it that Ruffin McNeil was overheard stating openly in a restraunt that they had a replacement for Leach already…….Wonder who that could be……..Lets

    Report this comment

  • PrinceofHouston said:

    People keep saying Tech offers, Leach wants. That is what contract negotiation is all about. We offer this, I want that. We work it out. The real travesty is that did not happen here.
    It was hear is our offer. Well here is my counter. I’m not talking to you any more.
    Real good negotiation tactics Gerald.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    PrinceofHouston read this post and link before you speak! It’ll save you some embaresment.

    Soapsuds on February 18th, 2009 9:53 am Here’s something everyone should read BEFORE forming their opinions based solely on isolated news reports. It’s a copy of actual emails from Leach’s (bozo) agent Matt Baldwin and Hance and various Board members. This was obtained by the Dallas Morning News on an open records request:

    Thanks again Soapsuds!

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:
  • brian said:

    Prince of Houston—
    It was Hance who ended negotiations not Gerald.

    Report this comment

  • Eric in New Mexico said:

    Raiderdefender, you have so many posts here, you must be talking to yourself.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Actually Eric he has proven very easily how a fool (Leach) and his money 12.7mil are easily parted.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    It’s good to talk. At least that’s what my psych says. :-)

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    Brian Yar a Goober Dumb n Dumber with no hope…. Yar a sick Puppy and why should I pay the psl and all with friggen idiots like you that probably on welfare sitting at home jacking with PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY CARE FOR TECH…

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    dubya you left the nation in a mess. Enjoy your “public” retirement. Sure the benifits are great while we can still pay for them for your secret service and medical care, etc.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Also glad you didn’t choose Tech for your archive and library. We couldn’t go thought that kind of black eye.

    Report this comment

  • concerned said:

    My son has been offered a football scholarship at TT (and several other Big 12 schools) for 2010 and this is a huge consideration for us. If it is not resolved one way (he stays) or another (he goes), TT is probably not on our list. He stays for 2 years and then we figure it out is not an acceptable answer.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Come on concerend, it’s just a coach. I thought education was what one went to college for?

    Report this comment

  • Don Ventle said:

    To TTU Myers and Hance: Me thinkith thou dost protest too much. Or something like that. Don’t come complaining to me next year when the stadium is not full. Add more seats? Maybe for the fat cats and their private boxes. Heck, those guys don’t care, it is a write off anyway. I’ll start really giving a flip when TTU starts showing some consideration for the guy who spends the greater portion of his entertainment allowance for the tickets, parking, food, drinks, etc.

    Report this comment

  • AthleteDad said:

    My son, a junior, was considering Tech but has dropped them off his list for now. He thought that it would have been a great opportunity to play for Leach. Now, he has put Texas at the top of his list.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Don I am that guy and on this I am with Tech. Love for him to stay but he must do what best for Tech, not Mr. Leach and IMG.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Mack Brown who destroys talent? Get real your funny. That guy has so much yet produces so little.

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    i just want to know something from all the people that say they want mike leach to leave and are backing the hance and myers position– who do u think tech is going to bring in that can replace leach ?? dont say briles because he is not leaving baylor because he is watching this fiasco and doesn’t want nething to do with it!!!
    It took tech almost 9 decades to find a coach that would put us on the map in football and now after our AD and BOR have showed how ignorant they are do you honestly think we can find one in a year??? No and from a money stand point tech football and mike leach are selling fast and for lots and are basically the only sport at tech making money but hey myers u know everything so lets bring in some no name coach who will make this university a fraction of wat leach did!!!! dont forget the only reason the media and recruits come here is not to play football for texas tech and be in lubbock but rather to play for mike leach if u dont believe me look at our recruits in basketball and baseball!!!!!! Leach and his program is the only thing keepin tech on the map!!!! you get wat you pay for and leach is the only big sport coach here that earns his salary!!!!

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    bearman, with our tallent on the team and 12 million I am sure the list is a lot longer and more qualified than you think!

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    Hey AJ you making money on your web hits these last two weeks? Might be able to contribute to the keep Leach fund, thus ensuring that we rehash this experience every other year.

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    our talent already on the team is going to be wasted on rebuilding -thats the reason the aggies have gotten so horrible !!!
    the good recruits that were coming wont and tech is not going to spend 12 million on a new coach !!!! our talent was brought here for mike leach’s coaching and if you havent noticed there aren’t many coaches that will run wat he runs!!!! Also do u really trust the AD and BOR to bring in a good coach!!!! hell look at there last decisions!!!

    Report this comment

  • Dunka said:

    Not after this drama watchdog. Maybe if things had gone differently and Leach had just left us in a lurch. Our AD and higher ups wouldn’t have had the chance to make themselves look so bad. Odds are against any up and coming coach putting Tech on their short list. Odds are surely against any known commodity feeling safe coming here. They fire Leach and we are in more trouble than some people are willing to recognize. It’s great to have Tech pride, but don’t let it blind you to the point that it makes Tech seem like a better coaching destination than it really is. Leach has had everything to do with Tech’s ability to rise to the next level. I have not seen anything that indicates that Tech didn’t get just flat out lucky when the hired him. They went bargain basement and accidentally ended up with something better than Tech has ever seen. Based on his overall accomplishments and his pay as compared to his peers – he has been underpaid to date. The overall records just don’t lie. I don’t care if he hasn’t one a Big 12 south outright – he fills the seats and he wins more than Tech has ever won. The odds of lightning striking twice just aren’t that good. And besides, love him or hate him – Leach is a completely unique entity in college football. There is more to replace than just an unreal offense – his whole frustrating package is what works so incredibly well for Tech. It works for the players we recruit and it works for the national media. I agree he shouldn’t shop around, but even so – at the end of the day our program just keeps getting better and better. Seriously – be careful what you wish for.

    Report this comment

  • dubya said:

    wATCHdOG …… WHO BROUGHT THE TALENT TO TECH. THIS IS WEARING ME DOWN… HANCE NEEDS TO TAKE THE FIRST PLANE BACK TO AUSTIN AND TAKE wATCHdOG dEFENDER myers and the rest of u imbeciles with him. Turn the 2.3 million dollar house he lives in back in and let the Montfordsmove back to the house that cost Tech a Million.. They were happy as a lark and did twice as much. Hance is upset at George W because he went on and became President of the United States and left Hance without a Chance.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    I thought Leach recruited athletes not special skill players. Athletes can be put in ANY system and work. It’s the others you have to mold around. And what about our other coaches, would they leave with Leach or could one of them assume the reins? One already does half the work and is officially a co-head coach!

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    In his 23rd season on the collegiate level, assistant head coach Ruffin McNeill enters his ninth season as a member of Mike Leach’s staff and first as the defensive coordinator. He served the final nine games of last season in the position on an interim basis. McNeill, who also coaches the linebackers, is one of the most versatile coaches on the staff and also one of the most beloved by the Red Raider football team.

    Seen as a father figure by those within the program, McNeill promotes a family-type atmosphere, while at the same time providing disciplined instruction on the field. Many young men have been the beneficiaries of McNeill’s presence.

    <<<
    Does he have loyalty to Tech or Leach anyone talked to him (AJ)? I am sure he wants to remain mum.

    Report this comment

  • duhaggie said:

    duh….we’ll take coach Leach…an anybody else who wants ta come along…duh (drip,slobber)….

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Just because he schedules patsies in non conference does not mean he has won more than Tech has ever won. His conference record is 42-30, with this year’s 7-1. That’s with 9 wins over Baylor.

    Look, I don’t want Leach to leave. But, I do not want Tech to pay him Top 12 money either. He ain’t worth that.

    And guess what, none of you would pay your employee top 12 salary either in your own business unless he gives you top 12 results.

    Report this comment

  • watchdog113 said:

    and almost losses to SMU.

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    fire leach and those almost losses will become losses and those wins will become almost wins!!!!! remember the north texas days!!!
    the guy is third in the big 12 for wins and has been bowl eligible every year and got this program to it’s highest ranking ever.Defender and watchdawg u make no sense !!!
    TO MAKE MONEY U HAVE TO SPEND MONEY AND WE KNOW LEACH CAN MAKE IT AND MORE IF GIVING THE OPPURTUNITY!!!
    and there are plenty of teams that pay coaches lots of money that dont get top 12 results!!!! AND raider defender who is tech going to bring in that is top 12 after tech fires somebody that is as close as this school has ever gotten!!! ur about as ambitious as myers im sure ur a big pat knight supporter!!!!

    Report this comment

  • David said:

    Joe, you talk about what Leach did not do that other coaches do. Tech has a higher graduation rate of players than any other big 12 school. He builds “teams” that love him and his staff. Meyers never did that while an active coach. The lady raiders have not done that since sharp left, Leach packed the house every home game, never before was that done. If the true holdup is Meyers has to be informed then who is the problem? Meyers stated he would always give permission, then why the clause? Lets go ahead and run off a great coach so Tech will have problems beating Sam Houston State.

    Report this comment

  • realjwc said:

    …….. a .500 team on average at best. in the future without Mike Leach…………… no other style will bring recruits to Tech….none…….. been there, done that………. and no other style will fill the stadium for the likes of NW La,. SE La. Utah St, UTEP, SMU…….

    EVERY Div I school in the country would absolutely FALL OVER THEMSELVES to do what they could to keep a coach that took them to unprecedented and historic levels of success for their program……

    ………………. not us…………………

    ….not Gerald……….. dribble, dribble, pass pass…… damn, are we back to the stall style of the 70’s and 80’s the basketball program operated (and was coached) under????

    Report this comment

  • Derek said:

    I will not renew my 6 season tickets until leach signs a contract. Gerald Myers should be fired and run out of town, he is nothing but a detriment to Texas Tech athletics

    Report this comment

  • Desertrat said:

    kent.hance@ttu.edu. gerald.myers@ttu.edu

    Everyone can tell them to fire themselves!!!

    Report this comment

  • Desertrat said:

    I heard myers house is for sale. Let’s take up a collection and hurry this process along.

    Report this comment

  • Desertrat said:

    Also did you see kristicurry through the clip board during the game last night? Nearly hit and injured jordon murphree. Shades of bob knight!!

    Report this comment

  • Pirate of the South Plains said:

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/02/18/leach/1.html

    Who is the last Tech coach (in any sport) that has been run out of town after having the best season ever?

    How come Myers was not fired back in the 80’s when he was a mediocre coach? Because back then mediocrity was acceptable.

    Leach for AD IN 2013!

    Report this comment

  • Temblor10 said:

    I moved to Lubbock in 2004 and went to my first TTU game in that same year and had a great time. It was/is a fantastic product Leach puts on the field. So good in fact I bought 2 season tickets the next year and every year since (Quite a bargain at $99.00 per ticket!). While ticket prices have gone up, I have paid the money to continue the fun and excitement that is Red Raiders Football. Because of the excitement and national exposure the football team has brought to Tech, I have a niece and nephew both in high school in deep south Texas that are huge Tech fans and are hoping to come to school up here. And I can tell you first hand that it is a direct result of football. Through the football team they were exposed to the school. I’m sure there are thousands of other young people who feel the same. It’s a shame that this is such a mess. I’ll not be renewing my tickets this year for a combination of factors. First, they’ve just about priced me out of my seats, and second, I didn’t go to Tech and have no emotional ties to the school, I was just a consumer of great football (which will be gone with the Ship). If Leach leaves, you can count on some rough times ahead. I may as well just go watch my very own Southwest Texas State Bobcats loose to McNeese State.

    Report this comment

  • TECH AD said:

    40 people showed up for a rally for Leach ? If only 40 showed up they must have thought it was a TTU mens basketball game !!

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Some of you guys are really disrespecting Tech in your praising of Leach.

    In the last 35 years, Tech was only regularly crappy under one coach, Gerry Moore. Every other coach has done well. Spike was up and down, but he won a share of a conference championship and finished with 6 straight bowl eligible seasons.

    Yes, Tech is getting much more exposure than ever, but so is everyone. Leach has a hand in that. What has a bigger hand in that is the Technology Age, with the internet, 50 sports channels on TV, Sirius radio, ESPN and Fox Sports, and internet connected cell phones. What has the biggest hand in that is the BIG 12 CONFERENCE.

    You guys are really selling Tech short. Tech is a top 30 program now in prestige and resources. They can get players a helluva lot better than Leach can recruit and they can get a helluva coach in here as well.

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    raider defender u are insulting yourself making comments like that!!!! First of all spike was in the SWC when he won and u already proved my point when u said he was up and down!!! why is it so hard for u to realize that this was techs best year IN SCHOOL HISTORY!!!!!! IF this program has prestige it’s soley because of mike leach !!!! if he goes so does the good recruits he was bringing in!!!!! I understand your a true fan and so am I , I go to tech right now and have been a tech fan since i was 5 but I think u are letting ur perception of tech get in the way of your judgement!!
    People outside of here dont view lubbock and tech the way you do but lots of people love mike leach’s program what in the hell do u think was selling our program Lubbock???? wake up

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    Maybe you’re letting your perception of Leach get in your way of understanding business.

    NOBODY WANTED LEACH FIRED.

    Leach simply does not command a top ten contract after one good season, in which Tech finished #12. I think that paying Leach 2.5 mil a year would be more than fair.

    Tech’s original offer, in December, was 12.1 mil over 5 years with friendly terms and none of these clauses. Leach’s agents laughed at that, and he went to interview in Washington. That contract would have made him the 15th highest paid coach in America. Based upon his accomplishments and his lack of accomplishments, that would have been more than fair.

    Report this comment

  • Gayle Reams Class of 65 said:

    This past few years I have been very excited to wear TTU gear
    to work and around town. Because of NATIONAL exposure
    Tech has become a well known topic in Oklahoma. Really hope
    things get settled very quickly. Even when TTU got beat all three
    times we attended in Stillwater, we were very proud to be there
    because they played great top level football since Leach brought
    the team to Stillwater, and always beat them the next year in
    Lubbock.

    Report this comment

  • bearman said:

    understanding of buisness …..seriously you do some research and find out how much leach has made this university!!!!! one year!!! do that I seriously hope ur not planning on running ur own buisness!!!!

    Report this comment

  • Amused said:

    consider being more concerned about what Obama is doing to ya….

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    I’m all for Leach getting a 25 or 30 % raise and a new 5 year deal. Maybe we could add in a $500,000 bonus for a conf championship and a $ 1 mil bonus for a National Championship.

    But a fully guaranteed top 12 base salary with full freedom? For a guy whose greatest accomplishment is finishing #12, one time?
    C’mon man.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    bearman, Isn’t it Leach’s job to fill the stadium, you dipwad? Is it not also his job to win games? Should a guy that is 1-12 on the road versus OU, Texas, and Ok St. in 9 years make top ten money?

    Report this comment

  • Dunka said:

    Raiderdefender – slow down son. Nobody just suddenly jumps up to #1. Leach has steadily progressed and the program has charted upward under his lead. Even reaching #2 is huge and Top 12 is incredibly significant. Leach’s overall track record indicates that it is indeed a trend. It should be obvious that with a solid contract in hand, recruiting continues to improve and the trend is furthered. That’s how it works. All of this “what has he accomplished” crap is remedial. For Tech – he has accomplished more than any other coach when you look at the entirety of what he has done. And every couple of years the bar raises. To suggest otherwise is ignorant. Say what you want about your feelings of his quirky behavior – but don’t look stupid by trying to sell that he hasn’t been all that great and that there is no upward trend for the program due solely to his efforts.

    Report this comment

  • Dunka said:

    Well – I guess Bob Stoops jumped to #1 – but that was at Oklahoma. Tech can’t even dream of having those resources.

    Report this comment

  • Dunka said:

    ….and that was with Leaches help come to think of it.

    Report this comment

  • lubbock raider said:

    Interesting that one part that has not been talked about is the fact that Learfield Communications biggest competitor is IMG which represents Tech. I can certainly understand why Leach nor his agent would want them to benifit in any way off of Leaches name. It is time that Tech do what’s right and get Leach signed. Myers is in the wrong, period.

    Report this comment

  • chilldog said:

    Nebraska and A&M fired 2 good coaches for greed and are no closer now to getting where those coaches had them. They have learned from their mistakes. Myers should learn from them instead of gambling with the future of Tech for his own personal agenda out of jealously of Leach,…Leach will be successful in whatever he does but Tech is nowhere close to being as strong as Nebraska and A&M. It willl take years to rebound!!!!!. People get together and stop this IDIOT!!!!!!!!!! OR STUDY HISTORY!!!!DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!!!!!

    Report this comment

  • John said:

    I cannot believe they are going to screw up the best thing I’ve seen for Tech football in 35 years. A great record, Big 12 best graduation rate, bowl games, national publicity, stadium expansions and more excitement than we’ve ever seen. I was there for the “Help Jerry’s Kids” year, believe me this is better. Get rid of Myers and get the deal done.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Dunka,

    You are right Stoops got to #1 with Leach’s help on one side of the ball, which unfortunately is the only thing that is good on our team too. Maybe we should take out the clauses in the contract, lower the salary and give Leach the title of Head Coach of the Offense and hire someone else for the defense. Then he could be paid for what he is responsible for. He obviously takes no responsibility for any of the other parts of the game.

    Report this comment

  • Dunka said:

    Certainly have no argument with the gist of what you say Brian – but still, Leach has improved the program and the trend is still upward. He just signed two awesome defensive prospects and a decent defensive class in general – indicating to me that the defense is getting some attention. Could you imagine? This guy with no business being a head coach 9 years ago has been learning – sure would be nice to see it all come together over the next few years. That is what this is all about. His past performance stands all by itself – still the best Tech has seen – but it’s where he can go with what he’s learned that makes the money worthwhile. The terms – they just aren’t normal business when it comes to coaching contracts.

    Report this comment

  • DunkaII said:

    Got moderated for some reason – switched to another e-mail.

    Certainly have no argument with the gist of what you say Brian – but still, Leach has improved the program and the trend is still upward. He just signed two awesome defensive prospects and a decent defensive class in general – indicating to me that the defense is getting some attention. Could you imagine? This guy with no business being a head coach 9 years ago has been learning – sure would be nice to see it all come together over the next few years. That is what this is all about. His past performance stands all by itself – still the best Tech has seen – but it’s where he can go with what he’s learned that makes the money worthwhile. The terms – they just aren’t normal business when it comes to coaching contracts.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    insubordination can not be tolerated it’s that simple. In your business you wouldn’t put up with it why should Tech? Tech wants to be “notified” so that they may also start a replacement search if in the event Leach accepts the other offer they would not be flat footed or dumbfounded in the media like they were this past December. They just want a “heads up” for the wonder eye coach though with his past actions Tech should be doing this all the time.

    Report this comment

  • Tech-Man said:

    Watchdog113, I don’t think you know much about business. Here is how business works, when you have an employee who brings in the majority of the income to your business and makes your business more successful than it has ever been you do what it takes to keep him. Even when he is paid highly you know how competitive business is and you also know your competitors would love to have him or at least for you to lose you top earner. That is what Leach is to Tech sports, he is the top dog, he brings home to bacon and is proving it year after year. Go start a business and then fire the one who is keeping your business afloat, you wouldn’t do it and neither should Tech. But Tech isn’t really a business so they can get away with firing the goose who laid the golden egg. Leach will get another chance and will make 2+ million a year again, this will be Techs last shot for a top coach for quite a while. Oh well, I’ve been a Tech fan for years so I’m used to being disappointed. Good luck Leach on your next job, I’ll be watching and rooting for you on TV, because Tech can kiss those TV game spots good by.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    Tech-Man if your hypothetical employee started to make efforts to take business away either by opening up his own shop or leaving constantly for interviews or taking money from the business would you feel the same? I am not accusing of Leach “stealing” just leaching the University funds and exceeding his alloted budgets.

    Report this comment

  • WATCHDOG113 said:

    yeah those TV spots against Sam Houston State and Florida International etc. Spikes non-conference games were on TV a lot because they were big football schools not cream puffs.

    Report this comment

  • Tech-Man said:

    Watchdog I don’t know if you’ve ever been in business or not but every successful employee considers opening up shop on his own and considers working for others. I’ve been an employee and opened my own shop and I’m much more successful than my employer was, did he do everything to try to keep me, of course not. All top performers are competitive and need to be treated like top performers or you take the chance of losing them. Hance and Myers have failed in every respect. Their public response has been rude and demanding. Even if no one else wants Leach, Tech needs Leach to fill the seats, no one else in Tech’s history has done as good a job as Leach has in this area and it is very foolish to think he can be replaced. Myers and Hance would be good CEO’s for Citi or Lehamns or GM, all bad managers.

    Report this comment

  • brian said:

    Tech-man,

    There is risk and reward in everything. While MOST people consider working in their own shop, there are others who choose not to. Every successful business and sports team is made up of many parts, and there is not one individual who cannot be replaced. Mike Leach is not an exception to this. To think that our program would go into a tailspin if he left or was shown the door is laughable. There is probably 100 people who have posted on this article that can win 6 games with this team if they were the HC. With the OOC schedule that rivals a class 2A HS team, the only thing that one would have to do is win 2 games in the Big XII. Leach has won a lot of games, he has also played a lot of crappy teams too.

    Report this comment

  • Raiderdefender said:

    I think Leach can have a top 15 type of contract. He thinks he should have better than that. Whatever. If he does not take it, he won’t get it anywhere else. Ever. Its his choice. Tech’s athletic department has been in the red 2 of the last 3 years. They are in no position to overpay somebody. Top 15 is beyond fair for Leach.

    Report this comment