Leach asks to speak at Regents meeting
BY DON WILLIAMS | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has formally requested that he be allowed to speak at Friday’s Board of Regents meeting and that the meeting be open to the public, the Avalanche-Journal has learned.
Leach made the request in writing on Wednesday.
He cited a statute of the Texas Government Code that allows a person who is the subject matter of such a meeting to request the executive session be open.
On Tuesday, Tech’s Board of Regents posted notice of a special teleconference scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday. The meeting is expected to include discussion of Tech’s head football coaching position.
ABSOLUTELY!!
Let them proudly say in public to the taxpayers and students and supporters (who foot the bills) what they like to whisper in private!!
Right on Coach Mike!!
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sure, let him speak. but if the administration gives him a good deal and he decides to leave in a year or two all his words at this meeting will make him look really bad.
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It’s time for Dufus— Gerald Meyers to resign !!!
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I think Mike Leach is finally figuring out that it may be hard for him to stay out of coaching for a year and try to return to a job some where else that will pay him $12.7 million for five.
I’m sure other universities are watching and getting an eyeful of what Mike Leach had entended all along, CASH!!!
Big time schools want good coaches and good programs but having to deal with a coach that is always looking for a better deal is like teaching a two year old how to tell time, you have to keep starting over.
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Quite a turnaround for someone who has always wanted others to do his talking for him. Reckon it is because he’s on the receiving end of the whipping stick this time?
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My hope is that the meeting is to address the HORRIBLE condition of all the Tech athletic programs BESIDES football.
That’s what a meeting ought to be called for!!
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YEA! LET HIM SPEAK HIS MIND AND THEN LET HIM GO! IT SI ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. HE’S NOT WORST IT!
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Look at the Pirate lawyer knowing the rules! Good for Leach.
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I guess when your feet are up against the fire (so to speak) you’ll decide to speak on your on behalf.
Maybe Ms.Leach decided that Lubbock wasn’t a bad place after all or Mike read the A J and found out that most of the regents wanted him to stay…
Could be, he got wind that Gerald Myers would be on the next bus out of town….
This has become a real reality show with the makings of a hit TV series, Donald Trump move over or hire Mike Leach..
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Keep Leach…Fire Myers! If Leach goes, you can kiss that stadium expansion BYE-BYE.
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Great move, Coach! There’s too much at stake to the University for this to not be out in the open. Let’s all hope that cooler heads prevail.
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I’m glad that Leach is going to represent himself to the board directly, or at least as directly as a tele-conference is. I hope it’s open to the public too, maybe they can finally end this whole mess. What the school needs to realize is that Leach can make a national championship caliber team out of almost nothing, that be is a great coach who is highly sought after, and that in order to keep him, and a good football program, they need to make a few compromises and spend some money.
Having leach tell the school he’s looking somewhere else is one thing, having him need permission seems a little extreme. Also taking the money from leach’s speeches and outside revenue is also odd, and a bit extreme. Also, if leach can get us to the national championship, and win it, i think he deserves that one million dollars, that is no easy feat to do at tech. What leach should be looking for is a school that supports him, that he can win games at and not have to worry about getting canned. I believe tech is that school for him, but they just need to get this contract situation settled first.
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There seems to be a personality resentment between the AD and coach Leach. This jealously has caused this problem to escalate out of reason.
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“Coach, you are highly valued at this institution. The direction of the program is very positive, and we expect big things to continue to happen with you. We want you to be compensated fairly, and we want it to be worth your while to be a Red Raider. With that said, we cannot be ransomed for more than what is warranted. While your contributions to the school are large and admirable, we cannot pay you more than your fair value. Our offers have met or exceeded your fair market value.”
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Bobby Knight should be there as a moderating, calming influence for both sides. hehe!
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America is a face of democracy for the world, so it would be only true to our founding fathers ideals if they “allow” him to speak, although the word “allow” sounds very oxymoron when you talk about “democracy”. Let him speak. And even if his interests could be focused on his personal situation, the meeting’s outcome might change all Texas Tech athletic programs, not only football. This is how revolutions and major changes are made – when something small evolves into something big, breaking the dam to create a new world! Talking about pirates and the Russian Revolution :-)
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Maybe coach has figured out IMG is not working for him. Apparently they were working for the Stanford bank whose CEO and founder is on the run with $8billion. The feds and numerous foreign cartels are looking for the CEO now. Apparently IMG was working on funneling clients to this group. I hope Coach Leach stays, but he’s got to get rid of those clowns posing as agents.
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Mr Gates, I would like for you to tell Mr Harrell, Mr Crabtree, Mr. Woods, Mr. Batch, Mr. Morris, Mr. Reed, Mr. Carter, Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Williams, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Wall, and Mr. McBath, among others, that Leach made this team out of almost nothing.
And, after that, I would like for you to tell Mr. Stoops, Mr. Briles, and Mr. Nutt that this was a national championship caliber team.
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Ken (It’s time for Dufus— Gerald Meyers to resign !!!)-
Why do you hold Myers completely responsible for this mess? I feel quite sure that a $12.7 million contract and Tech’s stance on this contract has been discussed and agreed upon by all parties representing Tech. Myers would not be the final word but rather the “point man” and the scapegoat for short-sighted fans. Funny how badly Leach wants to stay now, but was more than willing to spend Cotton Bowl prep time interviewing in Washington. Leach says the lack of a contract extension could hurt recruiting. Did this worry him while he has interviewing for other jobs? He has been less than loyal. Professional courtesy would have dictated that Leach at least let Tech know that he intended to shop himself around! After 50 years at Tech, from his college basketball playing days, to coaching basketball to working as an AD, do you really think there could be anyone more loyal to the best interets of Tech than Myers?
Didn’t Myers hire Leach? Didn’t the United Spirit Arena, fantastic stadium renovations and athletic facilities come under Myers’ watch? How quickly we forget!
Last I heard, none of the schools who have considered Leach have hired him. I wonder why?
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Check out foxnews for a source on the above.
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To the Board of Regents,
Guys, you appear to be set on a dangerous course. It sounds like you might be prepared to let Mike Leach go because he will not agree to Not interview for other positions. Mike Leach and Texas Tech have made magic together. I love Texas Tech and it would be a tragic loss to lose Mike. Using the force of threats is no way to hold on to someone. Your approach should be just the opposite. We should celebrate the magic that has been made here and make Mike Leach feel so good about being here that he would not think of going elsewhere. I graduated from Tech in ‘87. I have always been a fan of Texas Tech and Texas Tech Football. In the years that I was there, things were really lean. I went back to Lubbock this year for a visit with my family from the Detroit area.
I could not believe the spirit and “magic” that was in Jones stadium. It was so great. Let’s not imperril this magic. Things have been so good lately that up in Michigan I have been able to see Tech games satelite or network TV on a regular basis. Let’s keep th magic!!!! Let’s keep Mike Leach as our coach. Please.
To: Mike Leach
I have loved Texas Tech University for a long time. I graduated from the College of Architecture in ‘87. I thank you so much for the magic that you have brought to Texas Tech. You belong at Texas Tech. Please do not interview elsewhere. I am now a fan of Mike Leach. I think Texas Tech is a great fit for you as well. The magic that you have brought here is not certain somewhere else. I remember David McWilliams , who was a great coach. He turned the program at Tech around in one year. We loved him at Tech. Rather than staying at Tech where he found success, he moved on after one year to coach at Texas. He did well there, but not well enough. He lasted a short time and was fired. If he had stayed here at Tech, I am sure He would still be here. Loyalty is something I admire. I thank you for your loyalty to Tech.
You can become known for your loyalty and the kind of program that you have built here. I would love for you to follow in the footsteps of Joe Paterno, not Nick Saban. Do not let the administrations efforts to keep a strangle hold on you, turn you sour on the University. I hope they learn that if you love somone, you have to give them their freedom. Please exercise your freedom to remain at the helm of the Red Raider pirate ship. I wish you and your family, and your extended Red Raider family all the best. Thank you for the magic.
Brian Wiggins
11315 San Jose
Redford, Mi 48239
(313) 937-0832
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Well, maybe Mike will get his wish. Head coach in the arena football league. Or did that go under?
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You folks who continue to cite the Baylor game as a negative for Coach Leach obviously know little about football. Criticize him for OU and even Ole Miss, but to keep citing the Baylor game shows your ignorance of the game of football and takes away any credibility you might otherwise have.
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D – Mike didn’t get the other jobs because Myers put out the bad-mouth on him with the other ADs.
He interviewed becuase Myers invited him to go look if he didn’t like their August offer.
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Brian Wiggins, Mike Leach will be making over a million a year more than JoePa.
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Great move, Mike! The one thing Regents fear is the truth and the light of day. They will me meek as church mice, if it goes public, which it won’t. Who has what to hide???
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The BOR needs to get this deal over with. Both sides have done a pitiful job on negotiating this.
Our sports programs are in shambles. Neither basketball team will even make the NIT, much less the Big Dance, our baseball team has not even made the BIG 12 tourney the last 2 years. At least we have golf & track. YEAH.
And yet, our AD can not seem to get along with our 11-2 football coach. Why?
Tech is not a marquee job. It is the 4th best job in the BIG 12 South & okie st is closing in on that . Our AD is acting like we are Alabama. There will be no great rush of winning established coaches to our door step to replace Coach Leach. To admit any less is fooling yourself.
Simple question. How will Tech Athletics be better off with a new Football Coach this year?
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Ken- And who told you that? Leach?
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Ken- And who told you that? Leach? Good gossip!
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JKC-
If Leach gets his demands met, there will NEVER be a serious coach at Tech other than those using TT as a stepping stone!
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It is funny how those suppporting the TECH leadership….(so called leadership) passing judgment on Leaches request to appear at the BOR meeting…..you asked for the adult….now you have one!! Any person who understands the impact of the loss of a great coach such as Leach should understand the financial impact the athletic department will feel, much more, the response from mega dollar supporters. If people who make big bucks to make forward progressive decisions do not pull their head out, we will lose Leach but be very clear, the AD and the chancellor’s position will also be in jeopardy that is the way this situation will work. As hance said on t.v. “the university is bigger than the individual”….guess what hance and meyers…. THE FAN BASE IS THE UNIVERSITY.
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Nobody said Tech would be better off without Mike Leach.
With that said, anybody who pays Mike Leach top ten money and guarantees it when he only has one top 15 finish in nine seasons should have their head examined.
Yes, the program is on its way up and has shown progress indicative of a steady rise. But, it ain’t no top ten program. Mike might be a top ten offensive coordinator, but he ain’t no top ten head coach, and he ain’t no top ten defensive coach, and he ain’t no top ten recruiter.
Let me go ahead and take the bullets outta your gun, now, before you make excuses for Leach that insult Tech and its place in the world. Leach would not be a top ten head coach, defensive coach, or recruiter if he was at USC.
The deal is fair.
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D – That’s because Texas Tech is, in fact, a stepping-stone job.
Your only chance of changing that is by winning lots of football games. And your only chance of doing that is with Mike Leach.
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Again, this is arena football. Replacing Leach, we would need to look no forward than Baylor.
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Why does any football coach need millions of dollars? What difference does it make to a millionaire if he’s making 12 or 13? It’s not as if it costs this much to live in Lubbock and that he needs an extra $500k. This squabble over money comes at a really bad time. He’s complaining about millions when thousands of Americans are being laid off by the month and are losing their homes. I have less respect for Leach after this.
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“What difference does it make to a millionaire if he’s making 12 or 13?”
That’s easy to say when it’s not your million bucks.
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Bill you got me laughing out lound thanks!
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All would be different if Leach were out doing the back slapping, promotions, fundraising, etc. that is required of Bob Stoops and Mack Brown to raise the value of their football programs. That’s what Top 10 is ALL about! There is more to a Top 10 program than just X’s and O’s. Leach would be much better suited as a great offensive coordinator, not a head coach at a major university. I’m sure all contract sticking points would change if Leach were to ever really finish the job. So far, he hasn’t! If you believe Tech is truly a stepping stone for coaches, then it’s time to let Leach go and find the next temp coach!
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D’s got it right.
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Glad Leach himself will finally speak up. Should have taken the ships’ wheel long ago.
Not sure being public is all that good. Look where we are now. But then again since it has been public…
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When I consider how close we were to blowing both the Nebraska game and Texas game, and couple that with the dismal 3 game finish, I am not sure that Leach really has Tech positioned as a Top 15 school so much as he got some fortunate bounces.
In 2005, we were 9-3. That year, when I consider how close Tech was to blowing the Nebraska and OU games, coupled with the loss to (1-7 in Big 12 play) Ok St, I’m not really sure that Leach has Tech positioned as a Top 15 school so much as he got some fortunate bounces.
I think Leach has Tech as a top 25 school that if bounces go our way, we’ll finish in the top 20, but if they don’t we’ll finish in the top 40.
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But, Leach does not have Tech positioned as a Top Ten school.
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If I had a guy that overvalued himself, but I knew he was good but he was overvaluing himself nonetheless, I might overextend my offer beyond what his true market value was, just to keep him happy. But, if he then slapped me in the face by refusing my already gracious offer and instead interviewed for other jobs, I would lower my offer back to the level of his actual value.
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Raiderdefender what about one that was slacking on some of his duties? Sure one or two duties may be superior, but in all the totality of the job performance is what is being evaluated and the salary is based on.
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If Leach goes, where will Tech finish in th Big 12 South race next year? I say fifth.
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Time for a new AD Myers has been there to long.
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Mike is right to have his say.
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I think it is funny that some say Leach doesn’t have the Raiders really positioned to be a national power considering that before Leach came, Tech was thought of in the same breath as UTEP, New Mexico and Baylor. I ask again, who will coach at Tech when 11-2 is not good enough and the school has zero tradition?
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TO: Gerald Myers, Kent Hance, and everyother idiot wanting to get rid of Leach
If Coach Leach is fired, tech will be the laughing stock of the college football world. It is unheard of to fire a guy after the best season in school history. Leach has made progess with the program that tech couldn’t dream of. Give the head pirate what he wants, he has EARNED it! If not, you are going to cause alot of people to lose alot of respect for you. Not to say their was any to begin with.
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WE need to have a wonderful feel good retirement party for Gerald Myers. Or – Shiver me timbers, he could walk the plank!
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I think the Regents should be meeting to find a way for Myers to respectfully–but forcefully–ride off into the sunset. For nearly as long as he’s been around he’s been a true and dedicated Red Raider and deserves the proper sendoff. Name the court at the USA after him and them dismiss him of all non-ceremonial duties.
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No “friend” when you speak “the school has zero tradition”!
Tech was always above those schools.
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And his record isn’t in dispute or the problem. It’s what Leach wants ($) versus what he does to get that money and his isubordination and wondering eyes. As well as IMG comming back to the troff every year or two to “renegotiate”!
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he does to (help Tech to) get that money
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I cant believe it has come to this.
I have witnessed some extraordinary things growing up in West Texas and being a Tech Alum. I witnessed Kent Hance defeat George W Bush in at least one election. I sat in the stands as a student the two years Gerald Meyers orchestrated 2 miracle victories in the SWC basketball tournament. I was in my season- ticket seat when I witnessed the single greatest sports moment, in the greatest season, that was orchestrated by Mike Leach and Michael Crabtree. Afterwards my young son and I (hopefully a future Red Raider) got the opportunity to stand on the double T with the rest of the revelers.
I dont want this to end.
But more importantly, I expect better behavior from my heroes. Keep up the good work Crabtree, the rest have let me down.
Carl, Now In Fort Worth, TX
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What a cry baby Leach is!!!!!!! Don’t you see – if he really cared about his team, his coaching staff and their families, and good ole TTU he would have come to a resolution long before now! As stated by natl sports news networks the “common buy-out clause” has pretty much become the standard in college football now days. I hope the BOR fires him and takes no longer than 30 seconds. No!!!!! He does not deserve a voice at their meeting as both he and his agents have been way out of line and deserve the Red Raider boot – both of ‘em!!!
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give him the boot! give him the two pistols!! even give him the horsie poop!!! Give him a MOVING VAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Let see. Tech won SWC co-championships in 1976 and 1994. The team has not won a big 12 championship. What is the tradition?
The pre 1956 Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships should not count
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flash light??? Is that you Myers??? What are you doing posting comments here???
Fire Myers!
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The make those things you want him to do a part of the contract. Spell it out straight. You want him to fundraiser. Don’t try to blackmail him with Draconian clauses. When you have an employee that is succeeding but has weaknesses you coach him up, not play games.
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For all those folks telling Leach to take a hike what’s your follow-up plan? Who are you going to hire so you can honestly wake up the next day and say the football team is better off today than yesterday? A football coach is no different than anything else in life: You get what you pay for.
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Then make those things you want him to do a part of the contract. Spell it out straight. You want him to be a fundraiser. Fine. spell it out. Don’t try to blackmail him with Draconian clauses. When you have an employee that is succeeding but has weaknesses you coach him up, not play games.
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Please name the candidates you think will take the Tech job. Muschamp? Venables? Doubt it.
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1. Holgorsen, 2…………
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Sometimes you do not realize what you have until it is gone. TT better realize that what they have is considerably better than anything they have ever had in regard to football coaches and considerably better than what they will get. Remove the clauses in the contract that is the whole crux of the problem and go watch the spring wind blow. If Gerald “Oscar ” Meyers would quit, Leach might be willing to take a lot less and not have to put up with Oscar Meyers weinie act. How in the heck did Oscar Meyers get the AD job anyway? He should be working at Allsup’s changing the coffee filters.
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There are reports coming out that say All parties are working hard to work out a deal. Progress is being made and an agreement could happen as soon as 3 or 4 this very afternoon,,,,,
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Good, finally Leach will meet face to face. It is about time. I do not understand the public request though. Can’t you represent yourself without making it a circus?
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I think Mike Leach will take the Tech job.
But I don’t think he’ll get top ten money and I think the buyout clause will be common for both sides.
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Fine offensive coordinator despite Leach calling all the plays.
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Yea….. what reports? Post links.
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I agree you Kyle except for the Allsups Meyers stuff. Regardless of how badly he’s botched these negotiations (and it appears to be pretty bad) he does deserve a respectful but mandatory sendoff.
P.S. He got the job by working diligently and representing the athletic department for 50+ years…but he still needs to retire.
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Source from the local sports radio station in Lubbock is saying that they are trying to work out a deal by this afternoon before it has to come to tomorrow’s meeting.
Work this out and than..Fire Myers!
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I never thought I’d say this living in Houston but I’d kill for a little taste of Lubbock talk radio right now.
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I sure hope they work it out today. As fun as all this has been – I’m pretty sure we don’t need to lift our skirts any higher for national inspection!
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I say give him a 7 yr deal making 2.8mil and leave the clauses in the contract expect the “likeness” clause……The 7 yr deal will benefit ML and Tech in recruiting……….
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Brandon – name is lite and not light (you dim wit) – class of ‘76!! I respect the other side opinion, but most of you guys can’t seem to see past Sat nite. Leach turned us up a great notch just as Spike stopped the bleeding and turned us up a notch in his rein. Heck he went 5 – 5 against UT in the 90’s!!!!! But the leacher’s heart just ain’t there, man! He has a boy in what now, freshman or soph in high school. He has a dozen coaches and their families depending on him. Not to mention thousands for students and yes adults who have warmed up to the pirate. But two things are true the way I see it:
1) His heart is selfish and with a check bk and he will leave for a
bigger school now asap!
2)The dude has MAXED out on coaching by years end as we
always have so much trouble in bowl games.
3)There are bountiful and ingenious young minds out there that
would give there left n**t to come coach at Tech & like us too
4)He has spit in the eye of our beloved TTU and it’s mission
and just does not have the heart.
5)I dare say I would not have wanted to depend on this guy
while getting my rear shot at in Vietnam. He is not a team
guy- he is a one way guy & we’d kicked his teeth out in the
Corps!!
6)I’d rather have a John Wayne man of his word type (like Jim
Carlen or Spike Dykes) than a cry baby spit in your eye guy.
ok so it was six reasons!! TTU will be over this in no time and we will all be better off for it. We see the leachers true flag now and it sure ain’t red and black!!!!!
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This could be the greatest advertising gimmick to keep TT in the spotlight ever. End it now and work it out and everyone goes home happy.
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According to radio reports on Tech Talk on 950am. At one o clock they reported that negotiations were underway and progress was being made. An announcement should come this afternoon.
I am a little hesitant to get my hopes up, but it would not be the first heated negotiation to come to a sudden end.
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Art Briles is the man!!!!!!!
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For months Leach has said “it’s out of my hands” and told everyone to talk to his agents. After problems with Gerald Myers, he refused a chance to go above his head and talk directly with Chancellor Hance. After hiring a public relations consultant to organize a rally in his support that attracted 40 people, maybe Leach is finally starting to get it. On the eve of his firing, he is choosing to finally do something about this situation. Maybe it’s not too late.
We can only hope.
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I would pay the obscene ticket prices to watch a Raider team coached by Briles
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Ihave been a Tech fan from De Witt Weaver to Coach Leach, I have never seen such a FIASCO as this is, to even think about firing the most popular coach in Tech history is so acidnine it is beyond belief, just take a look at the history of this mess, it makes me mad, upset, dissapointed and sick that grown men can act like this , the real losers are the fans and the reputation of Tech..
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I would love to see them make an agreement and come out and say how much they love each other and get back to working on football. Then in a month or so Gerald announce his retirement and we get some fresh ideas and energy into the AD office.
Man, we have road games next year against Texas, Nebraska, and Okla State. There is lots of work to do with a new QB and two new safeties. I am ready for SPORTS news!!!!!
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Negotiations at the last minute??!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like he may be coming to his senses after all. In fact, it sounds like all those bowl games where we either got STOMPED or barely came from behind at end of game. The guy has maxed out his coaching expertise and I do not see him getting us any higher. I do see him (thru his agents of course!) continually spitting in our faces. If a spouse betrayed you once maybe you could work it out and be better for it! But with his wondering and oh so PUBLIC eye, well, he just needs to go while the getting is good. IF the Regents keep him now it will be on their consciense not Hance and Myers.
Fire Leach! His heart is no good!!!
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I believe that Mr. Leach is getting slightly “scared” of the possibility of what might happen to him. Tech finally showed some balls and stood up to the “Coach” and I think he is having second thoughts. I mean it is amazing that he would request to be there. I would think since he has his agents always doing the talking, I would think he would send them. Maybe he has become a real man.
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Coach Leach has made this town come alive during Tech football season. I for one hope that he will not leave us in the hands of anyone else. I have lived in Lubbock all my life, and until this year never really could get into Tech football. Now I know what I have been missing. I never would have purchased any Tech gear nor would I have worn it if it was given to me. Now I wear my Tech gear with pride. i hope that Myers whom personally I think is one of the biggest idiots in this town does resign if Mike Leach gets fired because believe me there will be tons of people upset with him. The expansion will not be needed based on the responses of most Tech alumni saying that they will not purchase their season tickets.
When it comes down to it………..Leach has been very good for this city, and it has made us come together as one……..Hopefully the BOR will see this and say okay yes we think this clause sucks but that one is okay and Mike and the BOR can work it out. If not well then just tell Lee Lewis to stop the expansion because its money wasted!!!
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It must be tradition in west Texas to leave w/o the person who brung you to the dance. Mike Leach is absolutley the best thing to happen toTexas Tech Football. I would count all the ways but most of you would get all mixed up. Leach still has a contract and we shouldn’t even be discussing the extension until it becomes time, now is not the time. What exactly is the rush, is everybody worried that he may take a bigger,better job elsewhere. That is just the nature of the beast (college coaching). What happens to the assistants, oh, by the way many are advancing all the time, just like everyone else would want to do. Or maybe status quo is good’nuff. WAKE UP
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“(Leach’s) heart is no good”. While he has flirted with other programs I wouldn’t compare him to a cheating spouse. To my knowledge Leach hasn’t accepted another coaching position since he came to Tech so an overtures made by other athletic departments have amounted to little more than window shopping. As for Briles, how much could you trust a coach who left a school he’d been at for little more than a year at this time of year for a division rival. Should the position open Briles could have it or his integrity but not both.
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Some of these posts seem to believe Mike Leach is the only coach in college football that looks around at other situations while under contract to a particular school. HOGWASH! It happens all the time. Others think that even if he signs, that he will be gone in another year or two. And that doesn’t make sense. If his team was ranked as high as #2 in the country, and had the best season in Tech history, and just pulled in the best recruiting class in school history, why would he leave? He has said on numerous occasions that the money offered by Tech is sufficent. I just don’t believe that he would lie in public; he’s not stupid. Just my opinion and I’m sure Raiderdefender will respond to these comments. Which is ok with me, since everyone is entitled to their opinion. GO RAIDERS!
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Maybe Leach finally considered that there are a lot of people working in the footbal department at Tech that may not have a job come Monday morning.
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Mr. Gates
Where is the loyalty from Leach? His wandering eye and bs lawyer attitude are the reasons we have this problem, along w/ many other long past “issues” the man had or perhaps still has. EVERYONE in lubbock ,who has a clue, understands EXACTLY what I’m referring too.
WRECK’EM!!!
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Adult, mature and supposedly “professional” both parties – Leach and Tech administration – should have handled it differently from the beginning. Now it all unraveled and there will be no “happiness” in this program no matter what the outcome unless…Texas Tech team wins on the field and…wins big.
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(To the tune of Oscar Myers…)
Oh, I’m glad I’m not a Gerald Myers Weee-ner…
That’s not what I’d ever love to be-e-e.
‘Cuz if I was a Gerald Myers Weee-ner,
Everyone would TAR and FEATHER me!!!
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Noel, I am sorry I don’t have a clue, but what past issues are you talking about, by the way, do we want to discuss that issue about how you used to wet your pants??
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Where is the loyalty from Myers?
He invited Leach to look elsewhere back in August if he didn’t like Tech’s offer, and re-interated that invitation in December and January.
Why blame Leach for taking him up on his invitation??
It makes Myers look bad for jumping up & down at this late date.
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I used to wet my pants, too…there is strength in numbers. Leach enjoys the “nightlife”.
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FIRE SOUR PUSS & BALDIE …NOW!!
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Would it look bad if Myers hired Leach’s son to replace him?
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Sounds like Gerald Myers is taking after Mayor Tom Martin.
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Leach’s son is only 14, but then Knight’s boy is 14 mentally.
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Raiderdefender- Sorry if you feel I “insulted” Tech, but I guess the truth hurts. It is only an insult if it is not true.
Explain to me how I was wrong? Tech is behind ou, ut, this is hard to say , but a&m . They have not won lately, but they have more funds(I don’t hear their ad crying about funding like GM does)
& have better facilities. okie st is right on our tails.
Tech(as is any non- top 15 program) is a stepping stone for a coach. Only a select few are not stepping stones.How can you not understand such?
Again, both sides have handled this deal poorly. The only good thing about his deal is that Gerald is one step closer to the door.
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Cliff – You’re right…Leach has not accepted any other jobs. Of course, none has been offered to him – despite his repeated interviews and even his own overtures (Miami).
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Which one—UT, OU, A&M—is hiring him tomorrow if he’s fired today?
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Yeah, no offers cause Myers put the bad-mouth out on Leach to the other ADs. = black balling him.
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He’d be home hunting in Seattle today if he wanted to.
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Really? If Myers is such an incompetent goofball why would any ADs pay enough attention to him to blackball Leach? Most ADs would nod their heads, smile, and tell GM to run along and go play outside.
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Myers “blackballing” Leach is rumor, innuendo and gossip! Media worthy gossip! Agreed, if Myers Bl;ackballed Leach, then the other AD’s respect Myers opinion! This contract will set a precedent in coaching contracts.
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Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
Get lost Myers!
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What is wrong with Lubbock you act like he won a NATIONAL CHAMPIOSHIP lets look at this Tech beat Texas that was a fluk dont beleive it the next game gets slaughterd by OKLAHOMA we should have made the plane land in Midland and make them walk home,then nearly getting beat by BAYLOR then all you hear is they should be no.1 then cant beat the no.12 team in the COTTON BOWL. Mike you are the biggest embaressment tech has the way you and your players act bad sports no SPORTSMANSHIP please leave you dont belong in texas if you want paid like Texas and Oklahoma then EARN IT.
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You mean the contract Leach hasn’t signed??
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By all Means,
The Board of Regents should fire Mike Leach. He has totally failed in the duties usually assigned to a Tech football coach.
1. He has built a winning football program.
2. He has the really good high school kids knocking on his door rather than having to beg players to come to a second rate program.
3. He has one of the highest graduation rates in the nation for his players…..really do not want that!!!!!……….it is college football after all
4. He has gotten the Texas Tech students and alumni excited and proud about Tech football for the first time in 50 years.
5. He has made alumni members want to support the school and hire its students.
WE DO NOT WANT THOSE THINGS!!!!!!!
Why in the world would we want to be able to proudly talk about Tech among all the Aggies, Longhorns, Buckeyes, etc. who are out here in the real, grown-up world?
What we really need is to do is to go back to hanging our heads and muttering about how the Tech ping pong team always wins.
The Board needs to fire Gerald Myers and give his tired, old butt an opportunity to go home and write a book about how Mike Leach just would not bow down and kiss his ass and just wanted to win football games and build the reputation and spirit of Texas Tech. And, Leach is really not NORMAL…………However, we really like eccentric and winning.
If the Board fires him, we hope Leach sues the school for trying to force him to sign a stupid contract two years before he has to do so and with terms that other winning coaches do not have to sign. This whole thing is about personalities and control and has nothing to do with making Tech better. Why would we want to make Tech better?……really BAD idea.
We both graduated with Masters in Engineering from Texas Tech in 1978 and grew up in West Texas and near Austin………and my husband was a walk-on to the Tech football team in 1972.
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Come on, david. Mix in some Spell Check and re-submit please.
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Do you think ML will tell the BOR that he does not need a hall pass to go check on jobs at other universities ?
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Well it’s after 3 any signed deals yet?
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“Well, Gerald has to tell me he’s sorry!”
“No Mike has to tell me he’s sorry”
“No YOU do!”
WAAAAGGHHHH!
Now boys, come on now. Why don’t we both say you’re sorry.
O.K.
“YOU FIRST!!”
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Uh, David … NO!
TTU outgained UT by 200 yards. The fluke was the UT was even close.
In the next game, TTU b-slapped a top 10 OSU team.
THEN, TTU got punked by OU.
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Uh, David … NO!
TTU outgained UT by 200 yards. The fluke was the UT was even close.
In the next game, TTU b-slapped a top 10 OSU team.
THEN, TTU got punked by OU.
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just recieved e-mail from my friend in las vegas–he said this problem with leach is making lubbock look like a hick town. i hope all he has done for lubbock don’t go unnoticed
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What were the odds in Vegas on the deal? Leach or Tech who over under?
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The individuals who are constanting complaining about Leach
and his wondering eyes. Please answer one question.
How long has Mike Leach been at Tech? I would say nine years
is pretty good for any College Coach. Yes, he has looked, but
he is still at Tech and from all indications, he does intend to
fullfill his contract, if Myers allows him to. Leach has improved
the football program more than any other Tech Coach and
the attendance has improved each and every year Leach has been
at Tech. Also look at our graduation rate and see where we rate
among the Big 12 schools. Leach must being doing something
right. Gerald Myers is a idiot for even thinking of getting rid of Leach. Leach has done more for Tech, than Myers has in the his
40 plus years as student, Coach and now AD.
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Unfortunately, the athletic dept is more than just football. Unfortunately, it’s also in shambles. Both BBall teams are a joke and both were Myers’ hires as well. He must go regardless of the outcome of the contract. He’s too old and he & Hance let their personality desputes w/ ML get out of hand. It’s time for the Alumni to become involved. If Leach goes, then we need to withhold all university donations. This tarnishes our school and it embarrasses me that people know that I went to school at Tech.
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David…dear God, I can barely even understand what you’re trying to say because it doesn’t make any damn sense. What I garnered from that mess of a paragraph is that the UT game was a fluke, that we lost the next game to OU and nearly lost to Baylor, and that Mike is an embarrassment to Tech? HUH? What the hell are you talking about? We beat UT for all but 1 minute of that game and made a spectacular play at the end of the game to claim victory. We beat OSU like a drum the next game. We had a bye week and then got drummed by OU. As far as the Baylor game goes, people just need to get the hell over that one. Those kids came off a disheartening loss the week before and if you’ve ever actually been an athlete, you may be able to halfway comprehend how hard it is to bounce back from something like that. I won’t even bring up the fact that the QB played with his shattered fingers taped up for the entire second half. Learn how to put those little dots at the end of your thoughts to separate them into sentences and then come back and tell us how Mike Leach is such an embarrassment to Tech. You’re an embarrassment to yourself.
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I find it interesting that everyone says “Leach is coming for money.” Did it ever occur to you that Leach truly wants to stay in Lubbock and coach your beloved Red Raiders? Go back a year ago when Leach requested to begin the discussions of a contract extension and everyone said our University were idiots for not getting this done.
Now that the discussions have started and Leach doesn’t agree with everything our beloved school wants, he’s considered greedy, and disloyal to our University… Maybe he has a gripe for not wanting to be here, b/c when he tried to show his loyalty, GM and the admin turned their nose and said “we’ll deal with after this season…” waiting to see what happened when all the expectations of last season were so high (waiting to see if he could deliver upon those expectations). He did, and now he’s considered to not be loyal to us. He’s never said anything but he wanted to stay in Lubbock (just that he wanted to paid like the 3rd best coach in the conference… which he’s shown year in and year out).
I don’t want to hear he asked for $15M, you always start high in your initial negotiations.
Coach Leach has done nothing but be loyal to this university, so it’s about time everyone show him the love he deserves and get behind him in this negotiation.
PS – I don’t disagree that some of the provisions in the contract are warranted (to prove his loyalty), but to add them at the last minute is bad negotiating and I remember he’s a lawyer he’s not going to be tricked into something as childish as that.
FIRE GERALD!!!
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I bet if the LAJ ran a poll and asked the quetion we all want answered…WHY IN THE HECK DOES MYERS HAVE HIS JOB???
FIRE MYERS AND THAT WOULD solve a good bit of this problem…consider the concept that if said university is offering their coach twelve point whatever million dollars then he must mean quite alot to said university,so why would there be a problem working out the details of other key issues that allow both parties to compromise??? The answer MUST start with the AD…
Remember that when Myers hired Bob Knight(grounds for termination itself…I have not watched a Tech BB game since!!) he gave Knight Leach’s parking spot and sent him a message the “red neck school of managment” kind of way…and since then things have gone DOWN HILL… I have been a CEO for over 15 years and when I have a salesperson who makes my company money two things will always happen:
1)They will always want to make more money the more they make..
2)They will grow in confidence and will want more compensation in some form or another other than money and want to be recognized for their accomlishments..
So where is the leadership at Tech to handle a similar negociation with a succesfull head coach??? Or starting with Myers have the EGO’s of the leadership got in the way of the negociations????
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OPPS…that was the rough draft typed way to fast!!! the cleaned up version….
Bet if the LAJ ran a poll and asked the question we all want answered…WHY IN THE HECK DOES MYERS HAVE HIS JOB???
FIRE MYERS AND THAT WOULD solve a good bit of this problem…consider the concept that if said university is offering their coach twelve point whatever million dollars then he must mean quite allot to said university, so why would there be a problem working out the details of other key issues that allow both parties to compromise??? The answer MUST start with the AD…
Remember that when Myers hired Bob Knight(grounds for termination itself…I have not watched a Tech BB game since!!) he gave Knight Leach’s parking spot and sent him a message the “red neck school of management” kind of way…and since then things have gone DOWN HILL… I have been a CEO for over 15 years and when I have a salesperson who makes my company money two things will always happen:
1) They will always want to make more money the more they make..
2) They will grow in confidence and will want more compensation in some form or another other than money and want to be recognized for their accomplishments..
So where is the leadership at Tech to handle a similar negotiation with a successful head coach??? Or starting with Myers have the Ego’s of the leadership got in the way of the negotiations’????
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I have adamantly supported myers over the past several months and have even spoke ill towards people that opposed myers on this blog. How wrong I was. Myers, you sir , need to check your ego and just deal with the humility you have caused yourself, our school, and everyone associated with it. Even if Leach signed, you gave him more incentive to leave for another job. Unless, of -course you leave. IfLeach leaves b/c of this fiasco you ingnited, I will vow to never, ever, donate a cent to Texas Tech. Ever.
My apologies to people I have offended in the past while supporting Myers.
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Hear that it is a done deal. Contract signed. Press conference tonight.
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NEWS FLASH — THEY’VE REACHED A DEAL!!!!
Press Conference at 6PM!!!
GO TECH!!!!
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This thing isn’t dead yet. No way Meyers and Leach coexist going forward. Any bets on how long before he “retires”?
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Everybody just chill out a deal has just been reached.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/022009dnspotechlede.2fa7bb13.html
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Dallas beats the local AJ once again on Lubbock scoop….
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I am going to now apply for a job with the AJ
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LEACH IS STAYING, HE SIGNS A DEAL SO MUCH FOR OUR LOCAL MEDIA WHO KEPT SAYING HE WAS GONE, ALL OF YOU RADIO AND TV GUYS NEED TO GET A REAL JOB………
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Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. I guess now I can get some work in…or find another blog.
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FIRE SOUR PUSS & BALDIE….NOW!!
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I just heard he has signed for 5 more years.
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How long until we have to go through this crapola again? We are now going to have to get a “real” life again; off our rear ends, away from the keyboard, and start earning our paychecks!
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Tech85-
That Bobby Knight Mike Leach parking space story and most of your rant is as erroneous as your mother’s decision to go ahead and give birth to you! Stop reading National Enquirer Sports Edition!!! No wonder you idiots can’t keep up with the Longhorns, Sooners, Okie State and soon to be Baylor! You guys had a lucky seasopn and are Big 12 wannabes. Someone asked who’s going to ein the Big 12 South division next year. Well, no matter who’s coaching Tech… IT WON’T BE THE RED RAIDERS!!! Damn hicks!
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a seven year deal would have been better for our health, unless Leach prooves to be flash in the pan or wandering boy after all.
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i doubt my little comment will be heard in a sea of others in this thread, but my only question about Leach is this:
What prompted him to do the 60 Minutes and College Gameday interviews?
I am inclined to believe his character is that of a great coach and a reserved man. He has never been an outgoing guy. I realize that the media is blowing it out of proportion and throwing the F word in their articles to sell papers and magazines and increase their ratings. I doubt they would fire him for declining their new contract. He is still there for two more years provided that our regents and Myers aren’t complete idiots. I do not think they are.
Leach and Tech are approaching that seven year itch, though its been over seven years. The success and spotlights are distracting. But Leach is not easily distracted.
But who wouldn’t be looking around after a season like that?
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D = IDIOT!
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Gerald Myers is one of those mediocre persons who ascends to a position which he does not deserve. He presides over an athletic program which brims with abysmal teams. He proved his incompetence by farcically attempting to terminate the most accomplished football coach in Texas Tech’s history and the best current coach of any sport on campus. He conversely declines to terminate coaches of inferior teams or to advise them to replace assistants. Mediocrity is acceptable to him. He should have been terminated for being in charge of a generally horrible athletic program. He should be terminated for unethically striving to terminate the productive coach who is most esteemed by students and alumni. Gerald Myers is one of those intellectually subpar persons who invalidly has a giant ego.
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