Firing would shock Leach
BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Mike Leach made it to the brink of becoming Texas Tech’s winningest football coach by being unconventional. So it should come as no surprise that this week Leach also isn’t accepting the prevailing line of thinking.
Which is, he’s about to be fired.
“I can’t fathom why,” he said. “We already have a deal. Both parties signed it. So I suspect it’s just a rumor. I mean, if you’ve got a guy that’s contracted for two more years, that seems like an odd approach. Of course the other thing, obviously, is when you consider the body of work.”
Leach has delivered an admirable graduation rate, nine bowl invitations in nine years, a school record five bowl victories and last year’s 11-2 season that matched the most wins by any Red Raiders football team. But Tech officials, including Chancellor Kent Hance and Athletic Director Gerald Myers, are deliberating Leach’s future after oft-contentious, and ultimately fruitless, negotiations on a new contract.
Leach let Tuesday’s deadline for reaching a new agreement pass, then said he’s prepared to soldier on with the deal he currently works under. He signed that one in August 2006, and it expires after the 2010 season.
“I do think they’ll honor the contract,” he said. “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 players, great coaches and support from our fans. It would shock me if anybody is inclined to disrupt that.”
But the brevity of the current deal could leave the program fighting with a short stick in some regards. On Wednesday, national media scrutiny of the Tech-Leach situation mushroomed. If no new agreement is reached, questions about Leach’s future figure to hover over the team into next season. And with Leach under contract for only two more years, his assistants’ ability to sell recruits on Tech would be compromised.
Even Leach acknowledges recruiting could take a hit.
“I think to a point,” he said. “That’s why I was very concerned about it a year ago, and nothing was done (on a contract extension) then. But despite that, our staff rallied together, and we had the best recruiting class in the history of Texas Tech.”
Some of the smoke could clear on Friday, when the Tech Board of Regents has scheduled a teleconference with at least part of the discussion to include the head football coaching situation.
Until then, one of Leach’s assistants acknowledged Wednesday that the staff will continue working — and wondering.
“I would be naive if I said there was not any anxiousness among the staff,” said defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, who has worked with Leach all nine of his seasons at Tech. “The kids are working extremely hard with (strength and conditioning coach) Bennie (Wylie), and all the coaches are really working hard and watching film and tackling some projects we all have to do in preparing for spring and for this coming season.”
But the coaching staff is down a man.
Running backs coach Seth Littrell resigned last week to take a job at Arizona.
Leach said it was a result of the current uncertainty.
“He was fearful of the stability of our program,” Leach said, adding that his former assistant questioned “the school’s commitment to our coaches.”
Littrell declined comment last week and could not be reached for comment after Leach made the observations.
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com t 766-8734
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com t 766-8735
Expanded Coverage
Feb 20, 2009
• Leach, Tech reach deal
• Tech fans glad to see contract extension
• Future players, assistant coach relieved Leach is staying
• Mike Leach Contract
Feb 18, 2009
• Tech, Leach drama moves to national stage
• Firing would shock Leach
Feb 17, 2009
• Leach’s deadline passes with no new agreement
• Dozens rally at Tech in effort to Keep Leach’
Feb 16, 2009
• Clock running down on contract
Feb 13, 2009
• Tech ‘will not even respond’ to Leach counter
Feb 10, 2009
• Agent: Leach has shown his loyalty
Feb 7, 2009
• Both sides frustrated with Leach contract process
• Records reveal regent’s frustration with agents
• Texas Tech’s Dec. 5 proposal for Mike Leach’s Contract Extension
• Mike Leach’s Dec. 5 Contract Counter-Offer
• Continued: Mike Leach’s Dec. 5 Contract Counter-Offer
• Texas Tech’s Jan. 9 proposal for Mike Leach’s Contract Extension
• Mike Leach’s Jan. 20 Contract Counter-Offer
• Mike Leach’s Feb. 10 Counter-Offer
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Maybe I’m dreaming but here’s my guess: Mike Leach + Kent Hance . . . one on one = new contract in an hour!
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The only “prevailing” thought that Coach Leach is going to be fired is coming form the Williams/Hyatt show. Who would be jumping for joy if coach gets canned. You guys are not helping.
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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 !!!!!!!!!!!DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE
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This is rediculous. This shoul’ve been resolved a year ago. Is Coach Leach getting too much attention for Gerald Myers? Sounds like an ego problem to me. This is beyond embarrassing. This should be settled behind closed doors. Negative publicity is NEVER a good thing. Get it together boys and finalize Leach’s contract.
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Who cares if Mike left! Raider Football will still go on! Players are to be credited also, not just Mike!
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I’m not a big fan of all of this drama; however, Tech administrators have every right to demand loyalty from their coaches and players. Comments made by Harrell and others about Leach “doing the best he can with the talent he can get” does nothing to help the image of Tech as the best. Leach better begin articulating his burning desire to remain at the the greatest school in America OR he ought to be cut loose.
I agree with Chilldog that NU and A&M prematurely canned their 9-3 coaches, but I believe Solich and Slocum both played in Big 12 Championship games, yes? If it wasn’t for 2 miraculous turnarounds against average opponents, Leach would have a losing bowl record – no better than the mediocre Dykes.
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if leach is concerned then he should go and talk to his bosses w/o the dang img crap…it is their fault that they are in this situation. leach take care of your situation in this contract deal and stop leaving it to the img group to run it in the ground.
that is my opinion…
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As an old timer, who watched tech lose to anybody and everybody, it did me good to see us finally put fear in our opponents. If the pea brains who are in charge of signing (and keeping) the coach actually let this happen, then I have spent my last dollar supporting the athletic program and encouraging others to support the program. Don’t send me ticket requests and don’t try to tell me that this was for the good of the school.
Deplorable, despicable, reprehensible.
Very embarrassing.
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“It would shock me if anybody is inclined to disrupt that.”
Hum, three letters coach…IMG!
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Lest we forget, the purpose of Texas Tech University is to EDUCATE. The question is “does Mike Leach advance this MISSION?” To wit, he has done nothing to advance the MISSION. He refuses to talk to boosters or be involved in any fund raising activities. When Bob Knight (despite what you think of him) came to Lubbock he began fund raising for the school’s library. Granted, Mike Leach has raised money by contracts with UnderArmour and other sports advertisers. None of that money goes to the university’s MISSION. How many other coaches in the Big12 are that isolated. Isn’t it about time that Mike Leach takes some time to ingratiate himself to the community that provides him a living. It is no surprise that it would be put into his contract as he has refused to show appreciation in any form to this point.
The graduation rate for football has gone from nothing to something. But, does this tell the true story of how many recruits were dropped from the team when they didn’t measure up such that numbers are inflated.
Moreover, Mike says he likes Lubbock and wants to stay here. Then why would he even interview for another job or dispell rumors he is interested in other coaching positions. This is hipocrisy. His desire to stay here is in no way supported by his comments or behavior of the past several weeks.
While the sports world is decrying the TTU administration. I haven’t heard any large TTU boosters criticizing the contract or decisions. MISSION FIRST!
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And he flys out as much as possible. Maui, Washington, Florida, NY, Wales, just to name a few this past 6 months. LBB must love him or is there a private jet? If not I think CitiBank and others have’m cheap. The state of Alaska sold one earlier way less than value….maybe Tech could purchase a cheap discounted one for him in leu of a few millions…AirRaid1.
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RON
There is not a University’s that has loyalty to a coach if he loses,…If a coach has loyalty and has a losing season within the SEC is his job secure? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re only as good as your last season in coaching! Myers is throwing the dice, at the expense of the fans, he can lose alot,….including his job. What do you think Nebraska and A&M would do???
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Just watched another pathetic performance from the basketball team. I wonder what the buyout is for Coach Knight. Gerald are you prepared to make two buyouts this year? Your in your 70s its time for someone with a future at Tech to make the decisions about its future. You’ve had a good run but much work has got to be done and it should be made by someone who has to live with the decisions.
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I’m disappointed in how Leach has handled this whole situation. He’s not shown himself to be real trustworthy.
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Wizard, nor a LEADER!
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Hey Wiz! Ya think? You said a mouthful and I think the BOR feel the same way. I’m sad too that it is turning out this way. Coach Littrell was probably meaning he questioned Leach’s commitment and not TTU. I am very saddened for our great staff as absolutely none of this is their fault that a Captain Ahab had to arise!!!! I do feel the new guy will probably keep half or even more of them for continuity. I do not think it will take the BOR Friday even 15 minutes to dismiss Coach Leach . He has become an embarrassment and distraction to our great TTU. I am tired of his spitting in our faces. If I were on the BOR it would take me about 10 seconds of discussion on the issue. Maybe it could be avoided if Mike would’ve only gotten with Chance Hance at the last second and ironed something out. But he showed his real flag of stubborness and selfishness. I only wish him and his family the best, but how ’bout if it ain’t in my beloved Texas. He needs to go back to Utah or Wyoming or espeicially California (yeah!) He would fit in nicely with the left coast bunch .
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Screw the boosters, fund raisers, and all that crap. Mike Leach made a name for Texas Tech he put lubbock on the map without Mike Leach will not be the same recruits will go elsewhere which means crappy money for the university….. other teams in the BIG 12 must feel good about this situation cause they know mike leach is a thorn of their season, this is Techs next big step to become even bigger
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Without mike leach texas tech football is DONE!!!!!! BACK TO THE SPIKE DYKE DAYZZZZ AGAIN LONG A BORING GAMES, RUN RUN PASS, RUN, RUN PASS, LOSE YARDS, FUMBLES, MISSED FIELD GOALS, BORING AND BAD….. NO RECRUITS WILL WANNA PLAY FOR SOME DUMB SPIKE DYKE LIKE COACH …..WHERES LUBBOCK
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The fact of the matter is when you are offered an extension/raise one would think it would be a better deal than you currently have. In reality, the money per year was the same as his current deal, the buyout was 3x more, the guarantees went down from 40% to 12%, and they wanted his personal marketing righs…. I don’t blame him for not wanting to sign it, his current contract is better than the one they offered. I think Myers has overstayed his welcome, its time for this good ole boy network that is Texas Tech to be a thing of the past. And go ahead and put that stadium expansion on hold, I’m sure those club seats will be empty soon…
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TEXAS TECH CAN MESS UP THE BASKETBALL, BUT PLEASE DONT SCREW UP OUR FOOTBALL !!!!!!!!!!
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Maybe the Board of Rejects should consider the futures of the mens and womens basketball coaches when they hold their emergency meeting on Friday…. In case they haven’t noticed football is not the problem
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These people are ruining my Business Degree… How can they expect people to send their kids to get a Business education from a school who’s leaders can’t even handle their own business deals???? How pathetic!!!!!
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Oh wait let make it a trillion dollars Hey Leach ask for anything as we will bow down and give you anything you ask for….
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that way we will make positive national news for sure! First trillion dollar coach and in a depression to boot! Those hicks really are dumb!
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If Mike Leach goes so does Lubbock think about it other than Buddy Holley whats Lubbock known for OH i forgot Marsha Sharp but if i’m not mistaken GM had something to do with her departure oh my bad we had Bob KNIGHT who now wants to coach in the SEC talk about loyalty. Just remember who is selling out each game Football or Basketball not hating on Knight the fact is if this was Bob Myers would have already of been choked. PLEASE DON’T go MIKE !!!!
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Yes, please don’t go SIGN the contract and tell IMG to go packing!
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i wonder how everyone will feel when leach takes another job next year, despite whatever happens this year…..
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If some how Mike Leach is ushered out the door for this he will be added to the Dennis Franchione list of coaches that had a rising star and it burst into flames and crashed to earth.
His next job would be New Mexico State or Cody State Institute of Passingology.
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frankly, my dear, I DON’t give a damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Some of you forget what it was like to be a Red Raider fan. Under Spike Dykes, Jerry Moore and others, a 6-5 record was average and if we went to a bowl game it was something special. Mike Leach has raised the bar and the talent on the field. We were ranked # 2 in the nation last year. As a graduate in 91, I would never thought we would be ranked that high with a national championship in sight. Lubbock is a hard place to recruit- if you think Leach has not done an outstanding job- you need a reality check. Leach is a perfect fit for Lubbock and has raised the bar- Talent, Attendance, Wins , Bowl Games, National Rankings.
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Greg there are more bowls now, limits on recruiting that universities can do (can’t stack the deck) more media outlets, channels etc. Leach rode a wave so to speak. Your selling our university short and the people of Lubbock. Dream big my friend.
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Dog, There are more bowls yes, but the Dykes/Sloan/Moore combo did not win any Gator/Holiday/Insight Bowls. You refuse to give Leach any credit
Tech does hold several Cotton Bowl records under Dykes. The worst spanking in history by USC.
Baylor and the aggies have more exposure due to the big 12. Look where they are at.
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The Leach style of football IS what put Raider football in the national spotlight. More exposure equals more dollars. Pay the man and continue the drama on the field of play.
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If anyone on that BoR grows a pair between now and Friday’s “emergency” meeting, they will
FIRE MYERS!!!!
That’s the only logical firing to be done. That bozo is killing Tech athletics.
The goofs on these blogs complaining about Leach show the same lack of intelligence so evident in Myers. They cannot face the facts that Leach is building an increasingly successful program; wants to be in Lubbock and at Tech; requested an extension to solidify recruiting position; was blocked by that moron Myers for God-knows-what-reason.
Please, someone, FIRE MYERS NOW!!!!!
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What’s blocking it? The slow leaching of funds for what? insubordination and ill-well. Yes Leach has an increasingly successful program, but at what cost and to what end. The University has worked with Leach on facilities, expenses, salary etc, (We all want him to stay) and what has Leach given them? He doesn’t even talk to them!
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Hey Watchdog113 – Did you happen to notice that Coach Leach placed his name on the Board of Regents agenda for tommorrow? I believe that this type of behavior classifies Mike as a man who wants his words spoken through him and by him…. and not through an agent, the media or the AD.
It seems as if a lot of our Red Raider friends certainly enjoy the national attention but they don’t understand the sacrifices certain people make to provide that kind of exposure to our university. Keep it personal and positive Coach Leach.
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watchdog – if cost is everything then don’t expect to ever move off the middle of the conference standings.
You gripe about cost if we win, and gripe about losing if we lose.
What a great deal for talkers – you can jump either way.
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Gerald Myers needs to wise up and see if he lets Leach go that he is in essence turning off the spotlight on Lubbock. Leach’s record should speak for itself. Under Dykes, and Moore we never saw the publicity, or had the records that we have in the past two years.
Myers would be stupid to give that away. For what they are offering to pay they can’t get a “big name” coach to come in here, and get the results they want. If Leach goes, so do the media mentions, recruiting possiblities, and national recongnition. It could take years to rebuild a team to the calibur of what we had this past season. Use your head Gerald, it’s that lump that’s 3 feet above your ass.
Keep Leach, and make it worth his while!!
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It’s called a guarantee and that paid win or loose. There is problem with that … it’s not pay for performance. That’s what W wanted to do to teachers right? Ain’t a coach a teacher?
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Watchdog, you don’t have sense enough to pour pee out of a boot. Leach is the best thing to happen to Tech since Marsha Sharp and Jim Carlen.
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