That'll teach Mike Leach to embarrass Texas Tech University during contract negotiations.
This is the definition of payback, everyone. Nearly a year after the fact.
The record will show that Leach, Tech's unorthodox yet highly successful coach, was fired Wednesday for mistreatment of a player with a "mild" concussion. The reality is Leach was fired because he took Texas Tech for everything it had last February during contract negotiations -- and made the university brass look like bumbling fools in the process.
Not that this latest human resources/relations disaster didn't just one-up everything.
This isn't about a whiny, entitled player kicking and screaming to get his way, or a whiny entitled Little League dad kicking and screaming to protect his little boopie from the mean man. The James Gang -- Adam (see: "mild" concussion) and Craig (see: Little League dad) -- have done more damage to themselves than anything Leach could have possibly done by sending Adam to timeout.
That's another story for another day -- something that will play out over and over in the legal discovery process of lengthy depositions spearheaded by two lovely attorneys making big bucks to make the wheels of justice turn. Enjoy that unlawful termination lawsuit, Tech.
Oh no, this is about jettisoning a rebel coach whose power had clearly eclipsed that of nearly everyone in the university -- especially athletic director Gerald Myers -- after last year's game of chicken during contract negotiations. A quick recap:
Adam James' complaint helped seal Mike Leach's fate.Leach wanted specific provisions in his restructured deal, and the university said no for nearly a year. Tech had a huge season in 2008, Leach seized public momentum and opinion, and Tech (see: Myers) still said no all the way to the 11th hour before capitulating and -- get this -- giving Leach everything he wanted and more.
This firing now is Tech's way of stating -- truth be damned -- that no one person is bigger than the university. Unless you're a backup wide receiver whose dad just happens to be a former college star and an analyst for the biggest sports conglomerate on the planet.
Look, if ESPN can't help Tech fire Leach, who can? Imagine the giddy feeling Myers must have felt when he realized, for the first time, that ESPN actually was on his side this time.
First, there were "sources" who told ESPN about Adam James' "mistreatment." Once it became known that Adam James was the player in question, those "sources" became Craig James being interviewed on SportsCenter by an anchor who threw fatter softballs than my daughter's baseball coach.
Related Links
Leach says school dealing in lies
The news: Leach fired by Texas Tech
Then the story advanced over the next couple of days and took on a bigger life, despite conflicting evidence to the original stories of mistreatment and numerous emails from former players and current coaches at Tech not only backing Leach, but clearly explaining the entitled behavior of Adam James.
Instead of using due diligence by investigating all facets of the incident, Tech fired Leach a day before he was due an $800,000 retention bonus. Let's call it what it is: Texas Tech wanted to fire Leach from the moment his bosses became subservient to him when he signed his contract extension in February.
Tech simply found a way this time.
Truth be damned.
Story courtesy of www.sportingnews.com
December 30, 2009
WASHINGTON POST: LEACH DESERVES ANOTHER CHANCE
Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach has lost his job and his reputation because he didn't treat the subject of concussions with the appropriate cringing political correctness, or the son of an influential TV star with enough soft deference. You can hear the sound of a railroading in Lubbock, and it's not coming from the train station.
At first it was easy to view Leach as just another backward brute of a football coach, based on the superficial news reports. Wide receiver Adam James, son of ESPN analyst Craig James, accused Leach of mistreating him after he suffered a mild concussion earlier this month, alleging Leach twice had him locked up in dark sheds when he couldn't practice with his head injury. His parents complained to school authorities that he "had been subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health," according to a statement. It's a devastating charge, given the growing public alarm over brain injuries, and it frightened Texas Tech into first suspending Leach without a complete investigation, and then firing him Wednesday when Leach went to court to fight the suspension.
Actually, nothing in this case is simple. Leach is not some head-banging throwback. He's idiosyncratic, and incurably outspoken, but nothing suggests he's a sadist or an idiot who would endanger a player. In fact, he is one of the more well-read and thoughtful men in the game, with a large curiosity and a law degree from Pepperdine. More importantly, he's a serious, demanding educator whose team has a graduation rate of 79 percent, eighth best in the country and first in the Big 12 Conference. He trails only Notre Dame (94 percent), Stanford (93), Boston College (92), Duke (92), Northwestern (92), Vanderbilt (91) and Wake Forest (83) in turning out grads, while he also has made nine bowl appearances in nine years.
Leach is more complicated than he seems, and so are the events that led to his firing. His relationship with university officials has been contentious. While they may well have had just cause to fire him, there is also some compelling evidence that they may have judged him unfairly.
Several current and former players have come forward to attest that he's a humane teacher. "Leach has unusual methods for doing things a lot of times, but he's never cruel and never out of line in doing them," former offensive lineman Cody Campbell told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. It turns out the alleged torture chambers were an equipment garage and an auxiliary room, where injured players are often sent to rest or do calisthenics, and where James had access to trainers and ice. "It's not like its some dungeon," former lineman Glenn January said.
It turns out Leach has a policy that requires injured players to remain close by at practice "to let everybody know they're not going to stand around and do nothing," January added. And it turns out that James was examined by a school physician named Michael Phy who, according to ESPN.com, wrote a memo stating "no additional risks or harm were imposed on Adam [James] by what he was asked to do." Which amounted to standing alone in a room for a couple of hours. Standing in a low-light environment hardly seems like a menace to his health.
Two days before the concussion, Leach and his staff apparently disciplined James for poor effort during drills. Leach contends that this, and a lack of playing time, led the James family to resent his handling of the player. James's habits and attitude have also been questioned by his teammates. CBSSports.com acquired an e-mail to Tech authorities from former wide receiver Eric Morris, who said that James "was never known as a hard worker" and "seemed to have a negative attitude toward the football program the majority of the time." Receivers coach Lincoln Riley also wrote a memo in support of Leach to the administration, obtained by ESPN.com, in which he referred to the player as "unusually lazy and entitled."
It also turns out university administrators have quarreled repeatedly with Leach over his contract demands, and may have been looking for a reason to get out of paying him a $800,000 bonus he was due on Dec. 31 if he were still the head coach at Texas Tech.
It's impossible to say exactly what happened between Leach and James, but we can be reasonably sure that there are two sides of the story, and that Texas Tech acted too quickly in firing him just two days after suspending him. Was it the right thing to do to send an injured player into the shed with the appearance of disciplining him? Probably not. Was it a firing offense? Certainly not.
It's the contention of Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, that Craig James brought the complaint "to retaliate for his displeasure with the extent of his son's role on Texas Tech University's football team." While that doesn't sound like the whole truth either -- James has never seemed the vindictive sort -- the possibility that this stems from a parent-coach conflict seems worth considering.
It's also perhaps a conflict of two competing principles. The public is becoming acutely aware that invisible football injuries can be far more dangerous than visible ones. Concussions are the hot button topic of the moment, because they were taken too lightly, for too long, and research now shows that medical personnel need to be more cautious and conservative in the treatment of them. This awareness is a good thing, and no one could blame a parent for being concerned or a player for objecting to Leach's method. "I have no complaints about this decision. [Leach] put Adam in a shed like an animal," said defensive lineman Chris Perry.
But at the same time, football is an essentially violent game; it can't be played without pain and collision. Coaches are in the business of developing the physical and mental toughness required to stand it.
At a time that concussion awareness is growing, coaches have a growing awareness of entitlement and hypersensitivity in the athletes they are welcoming to campus. Every coach I know has remarked with disappointment on the trend: Too many of today's college athletes expect more while sacrificing less, and regard tough coaching as unfair criticism. They suspect that young athletes are over-congratulated for merely participating in high school, and that they aren't learning great habits. They fear that kids are losing a sense of what real excellence is, and requires.
Put a prideful, protective parent in the same room with a driven coach who thinks his players have been babied, and throw in the hot button concussion topic, and you get a recipe for a lawsuit.
Leach is not one who tolerates pampered or pouty players, judging by his public statements over the years. He is a blunt critic, which probably hasn't helped him in this case. Earlier this season he tongue-lashed his team for being too complacent by saying "their fat little girlfriends are telling them what they want to hear, which is how great you are and how easy it's going to be." A couple of years ago he railed about a poor performance by saying, "We got hit in the mouth and acted like someone took our lunch money, and all we wanted to do is have pouty expressions on our face until somebody dobbed our little tears off and made us [expletive] feel better. Then we go out there and try harder once our mommies told us we were okay. Neither one of those things is acceptable."
Leach also has a penchant for creative forms of discipline, which has obviously led to his current trouble. Last spring he was unhappy with split end Edward Britton for not hitting the books. Leach demoted him during spring practice, and, to further make his point, had a desk placed on the 50-yard line. After practice he ordered Britton to sit at the desk and study, even though Lubbock was experiencing a cold snap. There Britton sat, in an overcoat and hood, reading at a desk in the middle of the football field. "If he does good studying out there, we'll decide if we're going to actually let him practice," Leach said.
Some parents might object to that sort of treatment. Others might thank him.
One thing's for sure: Another school should hire him
Story courtesy of www.washingtonpost.com
At first it was easy to view Leach as just another backward brute of a football coach, based on the superficial news reports. Wide receiver Adam James, son of ESPN analyst Craig James, accused Leach of mistreating him after he suffered a mild concussion earlier this month, alleging Leach twice had him locked up in dark sheds when he couldn't practice with his head injury. His parents complained to school authorities that he "had been subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health," according to a statement. It's a devastating charge, given the growing public alarm over brain injuries, and it frightened Texas Tech into first suspending Leach without a complete investigation, and then firing him Wednesday when Leach went to court to fight the suspension.
Actually, nothing in this case is simple. Leach is not some head-banging throwback. He's idiosyncratic, and incurably outspoken, but nothing suggests he's a sadist or an idiot who would endanger a player. In fact, he is one of the more well-read and thoughtful men in the game, with a large curiosity and a law degree from Pepperdine. More importantly, he's a serious, demanding educator whose team has a graduation rate of 79 percent, eighth best in the country and first in the Big 12 Conference. He trails only Notre Dame (94 percent), Stanford (93), Boston College (92), Duke (92), Northwestern (92), Vanderbilt (91) and Wake Forest (83) in turning out grads, while he also has made nine bowl appearances in nine years.
Leach is more complicated than he seems, and so are the events that led to his firing. His relationship with university officials has been contentious. While they may well have had just cause to fire him, there is also some compelling evidence that they may have judged him unfairly.
Several current and former players have come forward to attest that he's a humane teacher. "Leach has unusual methods for doing things a lot of times, but he's never cruel and never out of line in doing them," former offensive lineman Cody Campbell told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. It turns out the alleged torture chambers were an equipment garage and an auxiliary room, where injured players are often sent to rest or do calisthenics, and where James had access to trainers and ice. "It's not like its some dungeon," former lineman Glenn January said.
It turns out Leach has a policy that requires injured players to remain close by at practice "to let everybody know they're not going to stand around and do nothing," January added. And it turns out that James was examined by a school physician named Michael Phy who, according to ESPN.com, wrote a memo stating "no additional risks or harm were imposed on Adam [James] by what he was asked to do." Which amounted to standing alone in a room for a couple of hours. Standing in a low-light environment hardly seems like a menace to his health.
Two days before the concussion, Leach and his staff apparently disciplined James for poor effort during drills. Leach contends that this, and a lack of playing time, led the James family to resent his handling of the player. James's habits and attitude have also been questioned by his teammates. CBSSports.com acquired an e-mail to Tech authorities from former wide receiver Eric Morris, who said that James "was never known as a hard worker" and "seemed to have a negative attitude toward the football program the majority of the time." Receivers coach Lincoln Riley also wrote a memo in support of Leach to the administration, obtained by ESPN.com, in which he referred to the player as "unusually lazy and entitled."
It also turns out university administrators have quarreled repeatedly with Leach over his contract demands, and may have been looking for a reason to get out of paying him a $800,000 bonus he was due on Dec. 31 if he were still the head coach at Texas Tech.
It's impossible to say exactly what happened between Leach and James, but we can be reasonably sure that there are two sides of the story, and that Texas Tech acted too quickly in firing him just two days after suspending him. Was it the right thing to do to send an injured player into the shed with the appearance of disciplining him? Probably not. Was it a firing offense? Certainly not.
It's the contention of Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, that Craig James brought the complaint "to retaliate for his displeasure with the extent of his son's role on Texas Tech University's football team." While that doesn't sound like the whole truth either -- James has never seemed the vindictive sort -- the possibility that this stems from a parent-coach conflict seems worth considering.
It's also perhaps a conflict of two competing principles. The public is becoming acutely aware that invisible football injuries can be far more dangerous than visible ones. Concussions are the hot button topic of the moment, because they were taken too lightly, for too long, and research now shows that medical personnel need to be more cautious and conservative in the treatment of them. This awareness is a good thing, and no one could blame a parent for being concerned or a player for objecting to Leach's method. "I have no complaints about this decision. [Leach] put Adam in a shed like an animal," said defensive lineman Chris Perry.
But at the same time, football is an essentially violent game; it can't be played without pain and collision. Coaches are in the business of developing the physical and mental toughness required to stand it.
At a time that concussion awareness is growing, coaches have a growing awareness of entitlement and hypersensitivity in the athletes they are welcoming to campus. Every coach I know has remarked with disappointment on the trend: Too many of today's college athletes expect more while sacrificing less, and regard tough coaching as unfair criticism. They suspect that young athletes are over-congratulated for merely participating in high school, and that they aren't learning great habits. They fear that kids are losing a sense of what real excellence is, and requires.
Put a prideful, protective parent in the same room with a driven coach who thinks his players have been babied, and throw in the hot button concussion topic, and you get a recipe for a lawsuit.
Leach is not one who tolerates pampered or pouty players, judging by his public statements over the years. He is a blunt critic, which probably hasn't helped him in this case. Earlier this season he tongue-lashed his team for being too complacent by saying "their fat little girlfriends are telling them what they want to hear, which is how great you are and how easy it's going to be." A couple of years ago he railed about a poor performance by saying, "We got hit in the mouth and acted like someone took our lunch money, and all we wanted to do is have pouty expressions on our face until somebody dobbed our little tears off and made us [expletive] feel better. Then we go out there and try harder once our mommies told us we were okay. Neither one of those things is acceptable."
Leach also has a penchant for creative forms of discipline, which has obviously led to his current trouble. Last spring he was unhappy with split end Edward Britton for not hitting the books. Leach demoted him during spring practice, and, to further make his point, had a desk placed on the 50-yard line. After practice he ordered Britton to sit at the desk and study, even though Lubbock was experiencing a cold snap. There Britton sat, in an overcoat and hood, reading at a desk in the middle of the football field. "If he does good studying out there, we'll decide if we're going to actually let him practice," Leach said.
Some parents might object to that sort of treatment. Others might thank him.
One thing's for sure: Another school should hire him
Story courtesy of www.washingtonpost.com
TECH WENT TOO FAR IN FIRING LEACH
For the record: Craig James didn’t get Mike Leach fired. Neither did his son or ESPN or anyone else on the periphery of Texas Tech’s football program.
A long, simmering history of events led to Leach’s dismissal, much of it the eccentric coach’s fault.
And Tech officials were still wrong to dismiss him Wednesday.
They were right to suspend him from the Alamo Bowl, as I wrote yesterday. He brazenly mishandled a situation with an injured player, Adam James, which no coach should do.
But his actions weren’t serious enough to result in his dismissal, at least on their own merits.
Unless they have information we’re not privy to, Tech officials instead used the embarrassing incident as a catalyst to fire a coach they barely tolerated in the best of times, as a string of internal e-mails indicate.
Not that we needed any inside evidence. The animosity between Leach and the administration has long been obvious.
Eccentric behavior, trolling for jobs and bucking the chain of command may be charming in newsprint, but it doesn’t play well with your bosses.
Still, Tech officials knew what they were getting into. From what I can tell, Leach hasn’t changed much in a decade as the most successful football coach in school history.
He won, graduated his players, didn’t attract the attention of the NCAA and still managed to generate controversy. In short, he was a lot like a basketball coach Tech once employed.
The difference between Leach’s situation and Bob Knight’s was that Gerald Myers liked Knight.
Leach was easy to like if you were a Raider fan or a sportswriter. He was funny, innovative and good copy. One of his faults is that, because he did a lot of good, he thought he could do or say whatever he wanted. He chose news conferences to criticize officials, his players and “their fat little girlfriends,” a remark that didn’t cost him as much grief as it should have, probably.
But, love him or hate him, that was the Pirate. At times he needed to be reined in. Tech did that with a suspension. In firing him, they went too far, but it wasn’t a knee jerk reaction. This was a long time coming, which still doesn’t make it right.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
A long, simmering history of events led to Leach’s dismissal, much of it the eccentric coach’s fault.
And Tech officials were still wrong to dismiss him Wednesday.
They were right to suspend him from the Alamo Bowl, as I wrote yesterday. He brazenly mishandled a situation with an injured player, Adam James, which no coach should do.
But his actions weren’t serious enough to result in his dismissal, at least on their own merits.
Unless they have information we’re not privy to, Tech officials instead used the embarrassing incident as a catalyst to fire a coach they barely tolerated in the best of times, as a string of internal e-mails indicate.
Not that we needed any inside evidence. The animosity between Leach and the administration has long been obvious.
Eccentric behavior, trolling for jobs and bucking the chain of command may be charming in newsprint, but it doesn’t play well with your bosses.
Still, Tech officials knew what they were getting into. From what I can tell, Leach hasn’t changed much in a decade as the most successful football coach in school history.
He won, graduated his players, didn’t attract the attention of the NCAA and still managed to generate controversy. In short, he was a lot like a basketball coach Tech once employed.
The difference between Leach’s situation and Bob Knight’s was that Gerald Myers liked Knight.
Leach was easy to like if you were a Raider fan or a sportswriter. He was funny, innovative and good copy. One of his faults is that, because he did a lot of good, he thought he could do or say whatever he wanted. He chose news conferences to criticize officials, his players and “their fat little girlfriends,” a remark that didn’t cost him as much grief as it should have, probably.
But, love him or hate him, that was the Pirate. At times he needed to be reined in. Tech did that with a suspension. In firing him, they went too far, but it wasn’t a knee jerk reaction. This was a long time coming, which still doesn’t make it right.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
5 COACHING REPLACEMENTS FOR LEACH?
A look at possible replacements for Mike Leach at Texas Tech:
Art Briles: The Baylor coach’s name surfaced in February, when Leach was in a contract standoff. Briles gained wide respected for the job he did at Stephenville High School and at the University of Houston. He has strong ties to the school as a Tech alum and former running backs coach under Leach. After a 4-8 season in Waco where he lost quarterback Robert Griffin early, Briles may be willing to listen. Odds: 3-1
Sonny Dykes:The Arizona offensive coordinator would be another way to unite Red Raider fan base as the son of legendary former Tech coach Spike Dykes. Sonny Dykes has helped Arizona to consecutive bowl games and played a key role in the development of quarterback Nick Foles. He also served on Leach’s staff before leaving for Arizona, and would cost less than Briles. Odds: 2-1
Ruffin McNeill: The Tech defensive coordinator will be getting his audition for the job Saturday as the interim head coach at the Valero Alamo Bowl against Michigan State. McNeill has improved the defense since taking his current position in 2007. He’s also a solid, no-nonsense guy, and has become sort of a father figure to a lot of the Tech players. McNeill would probably have to import an offensive guru, like Houston assistant Dana Holgorsen or former Leach mentor Hal Mumme. Odds: 3-1
Kevin Sumlin: He replaced Briles at Houston and led the Cougars into the Top 25 this season. He’s young, smart and actually beat Tech this season. Sumlin installed Leach’s system, one that complimented the strengths of quarterback Case Keenum. Sumlin has Big 12 South ties as a former assistant at Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Odds: 5-1
Tommy Tuberville: This would be a major move. Tuberville has been on the sidelines, doing TV work, since being forced out at Auburn after a 5-7 season in 2008. But he posted 110 career wins at Ole Miss and Auburn, and went 13-0 in 2004. Tuberville knows the Big 12 from his time as R.C. Slocum’s defensive coordinator at Texas A&M. His name was mentioned briefly for the Kansas job. But would Tech and the spread offense personnel be the right fit with Tuberville? Odds: 10-1
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Art Briles: The Baylor coach’s name surfaced in February, when Leach was in a contract standoff. Briles gained wide respected for the job he did at Stephenville High School and at the University of Houston. He has strong ties to the school as a Tech alum and former running backs coach under Leach. After a 4-8 season in Waco where he lost quarterback Robert Griffin early, Briles may be willing to listen. Odds: 3-1
Sonny Dykes:The Arizona offensive coordinator would be another way to unite Red Raider fan base as the son of legendary former Tech coach Spike Dykes. Sonny Dykes has helped Arizona to consecutive bowl games and played a key role in the development of quarterback Nick Foles. He also served on Leach’s staff before leaving for Arizona, and would cost less than Briles. Odds: 2-1
Ruffin McNeill: The Tech defensive coordinator will be getting his audition for the job Saturday as the interim head coach at the Valero Alamo Bowl against Michigan State. McNeill has improved the defense since taking his current position in 2007. He’s also a solid, no-nonsense guy, and has become sort of a father figure to a lot of the Tech players. McNeill would probably have to import an offensive guru, like Houston assistant Dana Holgorsen or former Leach mentor Hal Mumme. Odds: 3-1
Kevin Sumlin: He replaced Briles at Houston and led the Cougars into the Top 25 this season. He’s young, smart and actually beat Tech this season. Sumlin installed Leach’s system, one that complimented the strengths of quarterback Case Keenum. Sumlin has Big 12 South ties as a former assistant at Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Odds: 5-1
Tommy Tuberville: This would be a major move. Tuberville has been on the sidelines, doing TV work, since being forced out at Auburn after a 5-7 season in 2008. But he posted 110 career wins at Ole Miss and Auburn, and went 13-0 in 2004. Tuberville knows the Big 12 from his time as R.C. Slocum’s defensive coordinator at Texas A&M. His name was mentioned briefly for the Kansas job. But would Tech and the spread offense personnel be the right fit with Tuberville? Odds: 10-1
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
TTU STATEMENT REGARDING LEACH FIRING
Here's the release:
After reviewing all the information available, Texas Tech University has decided that the best course of action for the university and its football program is to terminate its relationship with Head Football Coach Mike Leach for cause.
Texas Tech was prepared to participate in the legal proceeding today on coach Leach's motion for a temporary restraining order. His attorney, however, chose to not participate when he was informed that the termination of coach Leach was inevitable.
The coach's termination was precipitated by his treatment of a player after the player was diagnosed with a concussion. The player was put at risk for additional injury. After the university was apprised of the treatment, Coach Leach was contacted by the administration of the university in an attempt to resolve the problem. In a defiant act of insubordination, Coach Leach continually refused to cooperate in a meaningful way to help resolve the complaint. He also refused to obey a suspension order and instead sued Texas Tech University. Further, his contemporaneous statements make it clear that the coach's actions against the player were meant to demean, humiliate and punish the player rather than to serve the team's best interest. This action, along with his continuous acts of insubordination, resulted in irreconcilable differences that make it impossible for coach Leach to remain at Texas Tech.
"It is our number one priority to protect the welfare of our students and the reputation of the Texas Tech University. Parents have entrusted us with their children and we take this responsibility very seriously. We very much appreciate the leadership shown by the university's athletic director, Gerald Myers, and president, Guy Bailey, in dealing with this unfortunate situation. The board supports their decision," said Larry Anders, chairman and Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents.
In the near future, Texas Tech will undertake a search for a new coach. In the meantime, the focus of the athletic department is on the preparation for the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
After reviewing all the information available, Texas Tech University has decided that the best course of action for the university and its football program is to terminate its relationship with Head Football Coach Mike Leach for cause.
Texas Tech was prepared to participate in the legal proceeding today on coach Leach's motion for a temporary restraining order. His attorney, however, chose to not participate when he was informed that the termination of coach Leach was inevitable.
The coach's termination was precipitated by his treatment of a player after the player was diagnosed with a concussion. The player was put at risk for additional injury. After the university was apprised of the treatment, Coach Leach was contacted by the administration of the university in an attempt to resolve the problem. In a defiant act of insubordination, Coach Leach continually refused to cooperate in a meaningful way to help resolve the complaint. He also refused to obey a suspension order and instead sued Texas Tech University. Further, his contemporaneous statements make it clear that the coach's actions against the player were meant to demean, humiliate and punish the player rather than to serve the team's best interest. This action, along with his continuous acts of insubordination, resulted in irreconcilable differences that make it impossible for coach Leach to remain at Texas Tech.
"It is our number one priority to protect the welfare of our students and the reputation of the Texas Tech University. Parents have entrusted us with their children and we take this responsibility very seriously. We very much appreciate the leadership shown by the university's athletic director, Gerald Myers, and president, Guy Bailey, in dealing with this unfortunate situation. The board supports their decision," said Larry Anders, chairman and Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents.
In the near future, Texas Tech will undertake a search for a new coach. In the meantime, the focus of the athletic department is on the preparation for the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
LEACH'S STATEMENT REGARDING FIRING...
The following statement was released from Mike Leach regarding his recent termination from Texas Tech University as Head Football Coach.
"I want everyone to know what a privilege and pleasure it has been to teach and coach more than 400 student-athletes at Texas Tech University over the past 10 years.
When I arrived at Texas Tech, the football program was on NCAA probation and the graduation rate was far below the national average. However, in the past 10 years, Tech has been to 10 straight bowl games, has the third best record in the Big 12 Conference, and has the highest graduation rate for football players of any public institution in the country.
Over the past several months, there have been individuals in the Texas Tech administration, Board of Regents and booster groups who have dealt in lies, and continue to do so. These lies have led to my firing this morning. I steadfastly refuse to deal in any lies, and am disappointed that I have not been afforded the opportunity for the truth to be known.
Texas Tech's decision to deal in lies and fabricate a story which led to my firing, includes, but is not limited by, the animosity remaining from last year's contract negotiations. I will not tolerate such retaliatory action; additionally, we will pursue all available legal remedies.
These actions taken by Texas Tech have severely damaged my reputation and public image. In addition, Texas Tech has caused harm to not only my family, but to the entire Red Raider nation and the sport of college football.
As you know, I prefer to engage in question and answer sessions; however, in this instance my counsel has advised me to simply make a statement. There will be time to answer questions about this issue in the future, but the serious legal nature of this situation prevents me from going into further detail at this time."
Story courtesy of www.kcbd.com
"I want everyone to know what a privilege and pleasure it has been to teach and coach more than 400 student-athletes at Texas Tech University over the past 10 years.
When I arrived at Texas Tech, the football program was on NCAA probation and the graduation rate was far below the national average. However, in the past 10 years, Tech has been to 10 straight bowl games, has the third best record in the Big 12 Conference, and has the highest graduation rate for football players of any public institution in the country.
Over the past several months, there have been individuals in the Texas Tech administration, Board of Regents and booster groups who have dealt in lies, and continue to do so. These lies have led to my firing this morning. I steadfastly refuse to deal in any lies, and am disappointed that I have not been afforded the opportunity for the truth to be known.
Texas Tech's decision to deal in lies and fabricate a story which led to my firing, includes, but is not limited by, the animosity remaining from last year's contract negotiations. I will not tolerate such retaliatory action; additionally, we will pursue all available legal remedies.
These actions taken by Texas Tech have severely damaged my reputation and public image. In addition, Texas Tech has caused harm to not only my family, but to the entire Red Raider nation and the sport of college football.
As you know, I prefer to engage in question and answer sessions; however, in this instance my counsel has advised me to simply make a statement. There will be time to answer questions about this issue in the future, but the serious legal nature of this situation prevents me from going into further detail at this time."
Story courtesy of www.kcbd.com
SI TAKE: WHAT'S NEXT FOR LEACH AND FOR TECH?
It's hard to imagine Mike Leach's 10-year tenure at Texas Tech ending in a more fittingly bizarre fashion. The law school grad sent his lawyer to a courthouse in hopes of getting his suspension lifted, only to come back with a termination letter.
Leach's one-of-a-kind persona was defined by defiance. Ultimately, it brought about his demise.
Leach, who went 84-43 and took his team to 10 straight bowl games, was ostensibly fired for his mistreatment of a player with a mild concussion, but don't be fooled. The allegations by Adam James' family were a convenient excuse for school president Guy Bailey and athletic director Gerald Myers to rid themselves of a coach who, despite bringing the school considerable prestige, never fully earned their respect and butted heads with the administration for years (most notably in last winter's contentious contract negotiations). When the school rushed to suspend him Monday, we all knew where this was headed.
By firing Leach "with cause" (we'll have to wait and see whether that part holds up in the inevitable lawsuit to come), the school will get out paying him a potentially expensive buyout ($400,000 a year for the next four years). It may be about to lose far more than that, however, in canceled season tickets, diminished respect, and, quite possibly, many lost football games.
Not since Indiana fired controversial coach Bob Knight in 2000 has a major program abruptly cut ties with such a locally revered figure. (Ironic, considering Myers is the same guy who gave Knight his second chance.) The difference: Knight, by the end, had his share of detractors in Bloomington. He also had a long and well-documented history of degrading players and officials alike.
While Leach engendered minor controversies here and there throughout his tenure, there had been not a peep about any misconduct. But then came the allegations from prominent ex-football star and ESPN analyst Craig James claiming Leach had subjected his son to humiliating isolation on two occasions because of his injury. Disputes then ensued over the details and the motivation behind said allegations -- ex-players rushed to the coach's defense; James and his father were apparently bitter over his lack of playing time; the purported "electrical closet" turned out to be the size of a garage; a doctor swore Leach inflicted no harm -- but it was apparent from the beginning that Tech either wasn't buying it or wanted Leach gone regardless.
Reportedly, Leach could have avoided the whole fiasco simply by writing an apology to James. He refused. Leach was never a conformist. This time it cost him his job.
Craig James said the family went public with the allegations to "protect all the fine young men involved in Tech football." Whether that meant getting Leach fired, we'll never know, but now that it's happened, the aftermath figures to be ugly.
Bailey and Myers now face the unenviable task of finding a new coach willing to follow in the footsteps of Tech's own Urban Meyer. While Leach had only one truly transcendent season in Lubbock (2008, when the Red Raiders started 10-0 and beat No. 1 Texas), the fact that his program remained as consistent as it did was remarkable considering the gap it faced in almost every department compared with divisional rivals Texas and Oklahoma. He did it with his uniquely innovative offense and ability to turn hidden gems like Wes Welker, Kliff Kingsbury and Graham Harrell into record-setting stars.
Texas Tech never reached a BCS game under Leach, but it gained an unmistakable identity and untold national notoriety (even 60 Minutes came calling) thanks to Leach's offensive schemes and unusual personality. (Is there any football fan in America who doesn't know about Leach's affinity for pirates or improbable relationship with Donald Trump?)
His successor will step into an environment where the fan base is now angry and divided and presumably skeptical of anyone short of a home-run hire. Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes is a former Leach assistant who's also a legacy of Leach's similarly beloved predecessor, Spike Dykes. So, too, is Baylor coach Art Briles. Houston coach Kevin Sumlin didn't work for Leach, but runs his offense thanks to coordinator Dana Holgerson, a Leach descendent.
But all of them may be reticent to take the job out of either loyalty to Leach or alarm over the way he was treated. Myers, a basketball guy, doesn't exactly paint the picture of a man willing to go to bat for his football coach, and all sorts of dirty details about the school figure to come out in Leach's forthcoming lawsuit. Big-name coaches will likely think twice before signing on there. Just as Tech got Bob Knight, it may get a football Mike Davis.
The more intriguing question is, what becomes of Leach? Over the past few years, as his reputation finally morphed from that of a gimmick artist to a legitimately respected football coach, he sought desperately to get out of Lubbock, interviewing with Miami and Washington and entertaining other suitors. But no opportunity came to pass. To say he's an "oddball" is putting it mildly, which likely made for some "unique" interviews.
Now, with the stigma of a job-ending scandal -- one involving the particularly sensitive subject of concussions -- he's going to find it infinitely more difficult to land a cushy gig. Leach's ego would likely welcome the opportunity to take his system to the pros as a coordinator, but the button-down NFL would seem even less welcoming. More realistically, some college mid-major is going to luck out and get an accomplished coach on the cheap, but only if it's capable of viewing the James incident as an aberration and/or exaggeration.
As for Craig James, it's hard to imagine his own career will remain unscathed. While it's hard to criticize a father for looking out for his son, he's put himself in a very uncomfortable situation. An ESPN analyst -- a purportedly objective college football commentator -- just got a prominent college football coach fired. Will viewers take him seriously now when he critiques a coach's judgment? Will coaches of the games he's covering even speak with him? ESPN won't fire James for being a concerned parent, but it could certainly relegate him to Tuesday night MAC games for the foreseeable future.
He (and his poor son) would be wise to stay away from Lubbock. In the battle of Leach vs. James, there was little doubt as to which side Red Raiders fans fell. You'll be able to tell from all the empty seats in AT&T Jones Stadium next fall.
Story couretsy of www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Leach's one-of-a-kind persona was defined by defiance. Ultimately, it brought about his demise.
Leach, who went 84-43 and took his team to 10 straight bowl games, was ostensibly fired for his mistreatment of a player with a mild concussion, but don't be fooled. The allegations by Adam James' family were a convenient excuse for school president Guy Bailey and athletic director Gerald Myers to rid themselves of a coach who, despite bringing the school considerable prestige, never fully earned their respect and butted heads with the administration for years (most notably in last winter's contentious contract negotiations). When the school rushed to suspend him Monday, we all knew where this was headed.
By firing Leach "with cause" (we'll have to wait and see whether that part holds up in the inevitable lawsuit to come), the school will get out paying him a potentially expensive buyout ($400,000 a year for the next four years). It may be about to lose far more than that, however, in canceled season tickets, diminished respect, and, quite possibly, many lost football games.
Not since Indiana fired controversial coach Bob Knight in 2000 has a major program abruptly cut ties with such a locally revered figure. (Ironic, considering Myers is the same guy who gave Knight his second chance.) The difference: Knight, by the end, had his share of detractors in Bloomington. He also had a long and well-documented history of degrading players and officials alike.
While Leach engendered minor controversies here and there throughout his tenure, there had been not a peep about any misconduct. But then came the allegations from prominent ex-football star and ESPN analyst Craig James claiming Leach had subjected his son to humiliating isolation on two occasions because of his injury. Disputes then ensued over the details and the motivation behind said allegations -- ex-players rushed to the coach's defense; James and his father were apparently bitter over his lack of playing time; the purported "electrical closet" turned out to be the size of a garage; a doctor swore Leach inflicted no harm -- but it was apparent from the beginning that Tech either wasn't buying it or wanted Leach gone regardless.
Reportedly, Leach could have avoided the whole fiasco simply by writing an apology to James. He refused. Leach was never a conformist. This time it cost him his job.
Craig James said the family went public with the allegations to "protect all the fine young men involved in Tech football." Whether that meant getting Leach fired, we'll never know, but now that it's happened, the aftermath figures to be ugly.
Bailey and Myers now face the unenviable task of finding a new coach willing to follow in the footsteps of Tech's own Urban Meyer. While Leach had only one truly transcendent season in Lubbock (2008, when the Red Raiders started 10-0 and beat No. 1 Texas), the fact that his program remained as consistent as it did was remarkable considering the gap it faced in almost every department compared with divisional rivals Texas and Oklahoma. He did it with his uniquely innovative offense and ability to turn hidden gems like Wes Welker, Kliff Kingsbury and Graham Harrell into record-setting stars.
Texas Tech never reached a BCS game under Leach, but it gained an unmistakable identity and untold national notoriety (even 60 Minutes came calling) thanks to Leach's offensive schemes and unusual personality. (Is there any football fan in America who doesn't know about Leach's affinity for pirates or improbable relationship with Donald Trump?)
His successor will step into an environment where the fan base is now angry and divided and presumably skeptical of anyone short of a home-run hire. Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes is a former Leach assistant who's also a legacy of Leach's similarly beloved predecessor, Spike Dykes. So, too, is Baylor coach Art Briles. Houston coach Kevin Sumlin didn't work for Leach, but runs his offense thanks to coordinator Dana Holgerson, a Leach descendent.
But all of them may be reticent to take the job out of either loyalty to Leach or alarm over the way he was treated. Myers, a basketball guy, doesn't exactly paint the picture of a man willing to go to bat for his football coach, and all sorts of dirty details about the school figure to come out in Leach's forthcoming lawsuit. Big-name coaches will likely think twice before signing on there. Just as Tech got Bob Knight, it may get a football Mike Davis.
The more intriguing question is, what becomes of Leach? Over the past few years, as his reputation finally morphed from that of a gimmick artist to a legitimately respected football coach, he sought desperately to get out of Lubbock, interviewing with Miami and Washington and entertaining other suitors. But no opportunity came to pass. To say he's an "oddball" is putting it mildly, which likely made for some "unique" interviews.
Now, with the stigma of a job-ending scandal -- one involving the particularly sensitive subject of concussions -- he's going to find it infinitely more difficult to land a cushy gig. Leach's ego would likely welcome the opportunity to take his system to the pros as a coordinator, but the button-down NFL would seem even less welcoming. More realistically, some college mid-major is going to luck out and get an accomplished coach on the cheap, but only if it's capable of viewing the James incident as an aberration and/or exaggeration.
As for Craig James, it's hard to imagine his own career will remain unscathed. While it's hard to criticize a father for looking out for his son, he's put himself in a very uncomfortable situation. An ESPN analyst -- a purportedly objective college football commentator -- just got a prominent college football coach fired. Will viewers take him seriously now when he critiques a coach's judgment? Will coaches of the games he's covering even speak with him? ESPN won't fire James for being a concerned parent, but it could certainly relegate him to Tuesday night MAC games for the foreseeable future.
He (and his poor son) would be wise to stay away from Lubbock. In the battle of Leach vs. James, there was little doubt as to which side Red Raiders fans fell. You'll be able to tell from all the empty seats in AT&T Jones Stadium next fall.
Story couretsy of www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com
LEACH FIRED!!!
BREAKING NEWS: 11:55a.m. - Sources tell FOX 34 Texas Tech has fired Mike Leach as head football coach.
Before the hearing this morning, Mike Leach's personal attorney, Ted Liggett, received a letter from Texas Tech signed by President Guy Bailey terminating Leach's employment effective immediately.
According to the letter, Leach is in violation of Article Four of his contract. That's the performance clause, which deals with the health and welfare of players.
Liggett tells FOX 34 Leach will be filing a lawsuit against the University "soon."
Mel's take: I cannot tell you how appalled I am by this decision. Since this is my blog I feel the only thing I can say right now is that this is such Bullshit! and I hope Leach does retaliate, even if it is at the expense of my school.
Before the hearing this morning, Mike Leach's personal attorney, Ted Liggett, received a letter from Texas Tech signed by President Guy Bailey terminating Leach's employment effective immediately.
According to the letter, Leach is in violation of Article Four of his contract. That's the performance clause, which deals with the health and welfare of players.
Liggett tells FOX 34 Leach will be filing a lawsuit against the University "soon."
Mel's take: I cannot tell you how appalled I am by this decision. Since this is my blog I feel the only thing I can say right now is that this is such Bullshit! and I hope Leach does retaliate, even if it is at the expense of my school.
December 29, 2009
TEXAS MONTHLY: PIRATE UNDER ATTACK!
As anyone who knows anything about Texas Tech football can tell you, there is something odd about yesterday’s suspension of football coach Mike Leach because of a complaint that he mistreated a third-string receiver named Adam James, who happens to be the son of football commentator and former SMU star Craig James. For one thing, Leach has never been known to violate any NCAA rules on player treatment, as a wave of former players who went public this week have attested. He can certainly be tough. When I was in Lubbock in March, reporting on a TEXAS MONTHLY cover story (“Mike Leach Is Thinking...”, September 2009), he made receiver Ed Britton sit at a desk outdoors in a blizzard for two hours for missing study hall. Leach has a special, 40-yard long sand pit next to the Tech practice field where delinquent players—especially academically delinquent players—are put through all sorts of boot camp-like exercises meant to get their minds right. The sand pit (aka “Muscle Beach”) is also where injured players are put to work during practice dragging truck tires or pounding stakes and generally working whatever parts of their bodies are not injured.
But a pattern of abuse like what Kansas head football coach Mark Mangino is alleged to be guilty of? There is no evidence at all for it. Not only have many of Leach’s former players already come forward to defend him, but testimonials popping up on the Internet are running roughly 100 to 1 in favor of Leach and against his bosses, Texas Tech’s athletic director Gerald Myers and Tech Chancellor Kent Hance. (This estimate is, of course, highly unscientific.)
As far as anyone can tell, here is what happened. On December 16, Adam James suffered a mild concussion. Since he could therefore not participate in contact drills, the coaches had him walking the track. The next day he showed up wearing sunglasses, explaining that the doctor said this would help him recover. Leach, apparently thinking that James was exaggerating his injury—though this is not entirely clear—sent him to the team's equipment room to stand in the darkness. (In some accounts this has been described as a “shed” or a “closet.” I have been there and seen it, and it is a normal equipment room.) According to the James family’s allegations, Adam was forced to do this for the next two days.
This is where things get a bit fuzzy. Leach later told Tech officials that he thought James was a slacker. I can confirm that Leach and his coaches thought this about James as far back as March. In one of the coaches meetings that I attended, James and one other player were specifically discussed. Without saying why, Leach told his coaches they needed to get tougher on those players since they obviously felt they were not giving 100 percent. There seemed to be general agreement on this. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Leach also told officials that Craig James had behaved like a Little League dad, constantly calling and complaining. At issue apparently was Adam’s playing time. He was not getting a lot of it, was unhappy about that, and according to several reports is already planning to transfer to SMU.
What happened next was that Craig James took his complaints to Tech officials, saying that his son was being mistreated. Tech then asked Leach to apologize formally to Adam by Monday. Leach outright refused to do that, insisting that he had done nothing wrong, and Tech suspended him, which meant that Leach could not coach in this Saturday’s Alamo Bowl against Michigan State.
The suspension reminded me of the bitter feud that erupted between Leach and athletic director Myers this spring. After a season when Leach’s football team went 11-2, after which he won several major coach-of-the-year awards, the Tech community was stunned to see headlines suggesting not only that Leach would not receive a raise but that he might be fired. Things got so bad that Chancellor Hance had to intervene personally. He and Leach worked out a salary package that made him the third highest paid coach in the Big 12. The feud with Myers was no longer in the headlines, but it simmered on.
It has, in fact, been a strange year for Leach. After last year’s run at a national championship, the team struggled this year to an 8-4 season punctuated by a Leach outburst against his team following a loss to A&M which he blamed on the players’ “fat little girlfriends." After one player tweeted angrily that Leach was late for a meeting, Leach forbid his team from using Twitter.
None of which adds up, however, to player abuse. I do not claim to know exactly what happened, but one scenario that must be considered is that we are witnessing a power play against Leach by the James family, who were unhappy because Adam wasn’t getting enough playing time. The Jameses are being greatly aided by their complaint’s proximity to both the Mark Mangino firing with its attendant allegations of player abuse and to the current NFL controversy over its sensitivity to player concussions. They are further aided by the fact that Leach and Myers hate each other.
Leach’s lawyer Ted Liggett, meanwhile, is vowing to take Tech to court this week to force it to let Leach coach the bowl game. Stay tuned. If Tech fires Leach over this, there will be a mushroom cloud over Lubbock that will be visible for thousands of miles and a likely revolt of Tech fans, alums, and former players.
Story courtesy of www.texasmonthly.com
But a pattern of abuse like what Kansas head football coach Mark Mangino is alleged to be guilty of? There is no evidence at all for it. Not only have many of Leach’s former players already come forward to defend him, but testimonials popping up on the Internet are running roughly 100 to 1 in favor of Leach and against his bosses, Texas Tech’s athletic director Gerald Myers and Tech Chancellor Kent Hance. (This estimate is, of course, highly unscientific.)
As far as anyone can tell, here is what happened. On December 16, Adam James suffered a mild concussion. Since he could therefore not participate in contact drills, the coaches had him walking the track. The next day he showed up wearing sunglasses, explaining that the doctor said this would help him recover. Leach, apparently thinking that James was exaggerating his injury—though this is not entirely clear—sent him to the team's equipment room to stand in the darkness. (In some accounts this has been described as a “shed” or a “closet.” I have been there and seen it, and it is a normal equipment room.) According to the James family’s allegations, Adam was forced to do this for the next two days.
This is where things get a bit fuzzy. Leach later told Tech officials that he thought James was a slacker. I can confirm that Leach and his coaches thought this about James as far back as March. In one of the coaches meetings that I attended, James and one other player were specifically discussed. Without saying why, Leach told his coaches they needed to get tougher on those players since they obviously felt they were not giving 100 percent. There seemed to be general agreement on this. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Leach also told officials that Craig James had behaved like a Little League dad, constantly calling and complaining. At issue apparently was Adam’s playing time. He was not getting a lot of it, was unhappy about that, and according to several reports is already planning to transfer to SMU.
What happened next was that Craig James took his complaints to Tech officials, saying that his son was being mistreated. Tech then asked Leach to apologize formally to Adam by Monday. Leach outright refused to do that, insisting that he had done nothing wrong, and Tech suspended him, which meant that Leach could not coach in this Saturday’s Alamo Bowl against Michigan State.
The suspension reminded me of the bitter feud that erupted between Leach and athletic director Myers this spring. After a season when Leach’s football team went 11-2, after which he won several major coach-of-the-year awards, the Tech community was stunned to see headlines suggesting not only that Leach would not receive a raise but that he might be fired. Things got so bad that Chancellor Hance had to intervene personally. He and Leach worked out a salary package that made him the third highest paid coach in the Big 12. The feud with Myers was no longer in the headlines, but it simmered on.
It has, in fact, been a strange year for Leach. After last year’s run at a national championship, the team struggled this year to an 8-4 season punctuated by a Leach outburst against his team following a loss to A&M which he blamed on the players’ “fat little girlfriends." After one player tweeted angrily that Leach was late for a meeting, Leach forbid his team from using Twitter.
None of which adds up, however, to player abuse. I do not claim to know exactly what happened, but one scenario that must be considered is that we are witnessing a power play against Leach by the James family, who were unhappy because Adam wasn’t getting enough playing time. The Jameses are being greatly aided by their complaint’s proximity to both the Mark Mangino firing with its attendant allegations of player abuse and to the current NFL controversy over its sensitivity to player concussions. They are further aided by the fact that Leach and Myers hate each other.
Leach’s lawyer Ted Liggett, meanwhile, is vowing to take Tech to court this week to force it to let Leach coach the bowl game. Stay tuned. If Tech fires Leach over this, there will be a mushroom cloud over Lubbock that will be visible for thousands of miles and a likely revolt of Tech fans, alums, and former players.
Story courtesy of www.texasmonthly.com
LEACH FILES INJUNCTION TO COACH ALAMO BOWL
Click below for a copy of the Injunction filed by Mike Leach vs. Texas Tech to coach in the Alamo Bowl:
INJUNCTION
INJUNCTION
2 SIDES PREPARING FOR A FIGHT....
This is going to get ugly.
In the hours after the news broke late Monday afternoon that Texas Tech had suspended coach Mike Leach for Saturday's Alamo Bowl against Michigan State, as details of the allegations against him came to light, followed by the identity of Leach's celebrity accuser, it became apparent that we're headed for an all-out Lone Star showdown.
In one corner, we have the revered and ever-controversial coach of a Big 12 program. In the other, a perturbed father who happens to be one of the most celebrated college players in the state's history and a highly visible television personality. It's Mike Leach's word vs. Craig James' word, with both men's considerable reputations on the line.
Let the lawyers' fees fly.
Leach's suspension and ongoing investigation are the result of allegations made by the family of sophomore receiver Adam James -- whose father, Craig, is the former star SMU running back and current ESPN analyst -- claiming Leach mistreated the player for missing practice with a mild concussion.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, on Dec. 17, Leach "ordered James to stand in a dark shed at the Tech football practice facility because he thought James was faking a concussion he'd suffered during practice the previous day. Leach had him watched, and when James sat down, Leach had things removed from the shed so he could not sit. Two days later, Leach forced James to stand in a dark room for three hours."
The description sounds horrific.
However, according to the paper, Leach "did not dispute the facts, but did not believe he had done anything wrong." According to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, who plans to take legal steps to get the coach reinstated, the building James was sent to was not a shed, and it was cooler than on the practice field. (According to a source with knowledge of Tech's facilities, the room in question is the size of a garage.)
"Because of the fact that he had a concussion and he was extremely limited in the physical activity he could undergo, Mike felt like that was the best place for him and still be close to and part of the team,'' Liggett told the paper. "There's much, much more than meets the eye. The diagnosing doctor has signed a note stating that Adam James was in no way injured by the actions coach Leach took. In fact, he was better off in the building than he would have been outside."
As for the player, Liggett told the AP: "I believe that [Adam James] was a disgruntled student athlete that like many were not happy with their playing time." (James finished the regular season 10th on the team in receptions, with 17.) The Avalanche Journal reported that "Leach also told officials James was a slacker, and his father was always calling and acting like a Little League dad."
Regardless of whose side you take, this does not look good for Leach. If his intent was to punish and/or humiliate a concussed player, he sure picked the wrong year to do it. Thanks to Tim Tebow, Malcolm Gladwell and Roger Goodell, among others, the treatment of concussions has become a hot-button issue in 2009.
"Over the past year, there has been a greatly enhanced recognition of the dangers of concussions and the potential for long-term physical damage to players," said a statement released by James' family in supporting why they chose to report Leach to the university.
But one should always approach with caution the allegations of a disgruntled parent, whose perspective is often understandably skewed. In this particular case, the disgruntled parent happens to be one of the most visible personalities in the sport -- which is probably why this issue accelerated as quickly as it did.
You may recall the recent story of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt, who, according to a stunning FanHouse story, "grabbed a player by the throat then struck him twice in the face" during halftime of a game. Despite corroborating accounts from five witnesses, despite the player's father telling the reporter "You do something like that [on the street], you put them in jail," and despite the school's pledge to "review the matter promptly," Leavitt has yet to be reprimanded in any way, and the player in question, walk-on Joel Miller, claims his story was "misrepresented."
The battle between the architect of USF's program -- who, according to FanHouse, made a point of reminding Miller: "Before you say anything, just know I am the most powerful man in this building" -- and a walk-on's father was a mismatch of epic proportions.
Texas Tech could have done the same thing. It's a common PR tactic: launch an open-ended investigation, wait for the storm to pass and, most importantly, stand behind your $2.5 million coach.
The fact that the school suspended Leach before completing an investigation seems the product of a perfect storm: The presence of a particularly notable accuser; the sensitive nature of anything concussion-related; and, most likely, Leach's strained relationship with his employer. (Leach and AD Gerald Myers waged a very public standoff last summer over his contract renegotiations.)
Leach's blunt personality and unconventional methods have long made ripe fodder for fans and media conditioned to strait-laced, cookie-cutter coaches. Last year, as the Red Raiders streaked to a 10-0 start and knocked off top-ranked Texas, Leach's Churchill quotes and affinity for pirates made for great copy. This year, as Tech endured a more modest 8-4 finish, his players' brief Twitter mutiny and his bizarre "fat little girlfiend comments" didn't seem quite so cute.
Now, facing undeniably disturbing accusations, many will jump to the conclusion that Leach's days in Lubbock are numbered. It won't be that simple. If anything, we may be at the very beginning of a long, protracted fight.
Leach's reputation is on the line. So is his coaching future. His lawyer sounds ready to battle his accuser and the school on the coach's behalf.
Just as notably, Craig James' reputation is on the line. ESPN has dealt with no shortage of controversies over the years involving its on-air personalities, and with the exception of those who were egregiously wronged (like Erin Andrews), the network usually attempts to distance itself from potentially negative PR. It's already had to pull James from his Alamo Bowl assignment. Whether or not James' son was wronged, ESPN can't be thrilled to have one of its most visible college football faces directly involved in a college football scandal.
This is going to get ugly. Somebody's career could soon be jeopardized.
But which one will it be?
Story courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
In the hours after the news broke late Monday afternoon that Texas Tech had suspended coach Mike Leach for Saturday's Alamo Bowl against Michigan State, as details of the allegations against him came to light, followed by the identity of Leach's celebrity accuser, it became apparent that we're headed for an all-out Lone Star showdown.
In one corner, we have the revered and ever-controversial coach of a Big 12 program. In the other, a perturbed father who happens to be one of the most celebrated college players in the state's history and a highly visible television personality. It's Mike Leach's word vs. Craig James' word, with both men's considerable reputations on the line.
Let the lawyers' fees fly.
Leach's suspension and ongoing investigation are the result of allegations made by the family of sophomore receiver Adam James -- whose father, Craig, is the former star SMU running back and current ESPN analyst -- claiming Leach mistreated the player for missing practice with a mild concussion.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, on Dec. 17, Leach "ordered James to stand in a dark shed at the Tech football practice facility because he thought James was faking a concussion he'd suffered during practice the previous day. Leach had him watched, and when James sat down, Leach had things removed from the shed so he could not sit. Two days later, Leach forced James to stand in a dark room for three hours."
The description sounds horrific.
However, according to the paper, Leach "did not dispute the facts, but did not believe he had done anything wrong." According to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, who plans to take legal steps to get the coach reinstated, the building James was sent to was not a shed, and it was cooler than on the practice field. (According to a source with knowledge of Tech's facilities, the room in question is the size of a garage.)
"Because of the fact that he had a concussion and he was extremely limited in the physical activity he could undergo, Mike felt like that was the best place for him and still be close to and part of the team,'' Liggett told the paper. "There's much, much more than meets the eye. The diagnosing doctor has signed a note stating that Adam James was in no way injured by the actions coach Leach took. In fact, he was better off in the building than he would have been outside."
As for the player, Liggett told the AP: "I believe that [Adam James] was a disgruntled student athlete that like many were not happy with their playing time." (James finished the regular season 10th on the team in receptions, with 17.) The Avalanche Journal reported that "Leach also told officials James was a slacker, and his father was always calling and acting like a Little League dad."
Regardless of whose side you take, this does not look good for Leach. If his intent was to punish and/or humiliate a concussed player, he sure picked the wrong year to do it. Thanks to Tim Tebow, Malcolm Gladwell and Roger Goodell, among others, the treatment of concussions has become a hot-button issue in 2009.
"Over the past year, there has been a greatly enhanced recognition of the dangers of concussions and the potential for long-term physical damage to players," said a statement released by James' family in supporting why they chose to report Leach to the university.
But one should always approach with caution the allegations of a disgruntled parent, whose perspective is often understandably skewed. In this particular case, the disgruntled parent happens to be one of the most visible personalities in the sport -- which is probably why this issue accelerated as quickly as it did.
You may recall the recent story of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt, who, according to a stunning FanHouse story, "grabbed a player by the throat then struck him twice in the face" during halftime of a game. Despite corroborating accounts from five witnesses, despite the player's father telling the reporter "You do something like that [on the street], you put them in jail," and despite the school's pledge to "review the matter promptly," Leavitt has yet to be reprimanded in any way, and the player in question, walk-on Joel Miller, claims his story was "misrepresented."
The battle between the architect of USF's program -- who, according to FanHouse, made a point of reminding Miller: "Before you say anything, just know I am the most powerful man in this building" -- and a walk-on's father was a mismatch of epic proportions.
Texas Tech could have done the same thing. It's a common PR tactic: launch an open-ended investigation, wait for the storm to pass and, most importantly, stand behind your $2.5 million coach.
The fact that the school suspended Leach before completing an investigation seems the product of a perfect storm: The presence of a particularly notable accuser; the sensitive nature of anything concussion-related; and, most likely, Leach's strained relationship with his employer. (Leach and AD Gerald Myers waged a very public standoff last summer over his contract renegotiations.)
Leach's blunt personality and unconventional methods have long made ripe fodder for fans and media conditioned to strait-laced, cookie-cutter coaches. Last year, as the Red Raiders streaked to a 10-0 start and knocked off top-ranked Texas, Leach's Churchill quotes and affinity for pirates made for great copy. This year, as Tech endured a more modest 8-4 finish, his players' brief Twitter mutiny and his bizarre "fat little girlfiend comments" didn't seem quite so cute.
Now, facing undeniably disturbing accusations, many will jump to the conclusion that Leach's days in Lubbock are numbered. It won't be that simple. If anything, we may be at the very beginning of a long, protracted fight.
Leach's reputation is on the line. So is his coaching future. His lawyer sounds ready to battle his accuser and the school on the coach's behalf.
Just as notably, Craig James' reputation is on the line. ESPN has dealt with no shortage of controversies over the years involving its on-air personalities, and with the exception of those who were egregiously wronged (like Erin Andrews), the network usually attempts to distance itself from potentially negative PR. It's already had to pull James from his Alamo Bowl assignment. Whether or not James' son was wronged, ESPN can't be thrilled to have one of its most visible college football faces directly involved in a college football scandal.
This is going to get ugly. Somebody's career could soon be jeopardized.
But which one will it be?
Story courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
IS THE JAMES FAMILY FOR REAL?
Why is this story out of Lubbock, Texas bothering me so much? Why is the image of a spoiled brat whining to his famous daddy the only image springing to my mind?
Let’s start with what we know: Adam James, son of ESPN commentator and former star SMU running back Craig James, is a seldomly used receiver on a Texas Tech football team that underachieved this season.
We also know that the Red Raiders’ coach, Mike Leach, is an enigmatic personality, a weird dude with sometimes bizarre methods. But never before have those methods been documented as dangerous.
James apparently suffered a mild concussion in mid-December, was sent to a building at the end of the practice field to rest. (James describes the building as a “shed,” but I have a very hard time imagining any football-related building on Texas Tech’s campus is “shed”-like.)
I have spent more than a fair amount of time watching trainers and team doctors work. I have never seen a trainer cower down to a coach, and I have actually seen team doctors sharply talk to head coaches. That is why I’m having a hard time swallowing this whole thing. If Leach was in any way, shape or form causing harm or unnecessary discomfort to any of his players, at least one of — if not all of the following three things would have happened, or would be happening:
1.) The trainers — even the student trainers — might have followed Leach’s order at first, but they would have immediately run to a superior, to a certified atheltic trainer on the field or in the training room, orto a team doctor. If they felt Leach was giving odd or improper orders regarding a players’ health — especially about a concussion — they wouldn’t have stood for it.
2.) We’d be reading quotations from someone on the medical and/or athletic training staff. We would already have heard from whoever was in charge of the training room that day — he has to be dying to clear his name, right? Or, wouldn’t we have read a quote from a student trainer waiting to publicly right a wrong? I can’t imagine we will see this student trainer, or a certified athletic trainer but this is where we need an unnamed source to be unearthed by the fine journalists in Lubbock.
3.) Other players would be going crazy. If a coach put a player in harm’s way, that players’ teammates — his friends — would be rushing to his defense. And they would have done it that day. Someone would have leaked it to the press, posted the info in a forum on RedRaiders.com, told a friend who told a friend… When coaches do something harmful, or even just terribly uncool, reporters find out and investigate.
So far, all we have heard from is lawyers and the university’s brass.
I want to know more about James. Is he a troublemaker, or a hard-working player? Is he there on his father’s laurels, or by his own merit? Is he frustrated over playing time? Has he had other issues with Leach? Has Leach had other issues with him? Do his teammates have his back? If not, why not? Has Leach sent other players to the “shed,” or just James? I want t. o see photos of the alleged shed. I want to know what the trainers thought.
Here is something else we know: In February, after 10 months of tenuous negotiations, Leach and the school agreed to a contraction extension: through the 2013 season for $12.7 million. If Tech terminates the contract, the school must pay Leach $400,000 for each year remaining on the agreement.
Here are some stories for more reading, but I’m anxious to read what the Texas reporters dig up on this story, and I hope ESPN can do a solid job despite its affiliation with the James family.
Story courtesy of http://mollyyanity.wordpress.com
Let’s start with what we know: Adam James, son of ESPN commentator and former star SMU running back Craig James, is a seldomly used receiver on a Texas Tech football team that underachieved this season.
We also know that the Red Raiders’ coach, Mike Leach, is an enigmatic personality, a weird dude with sometimes bizarre methods. But never before have those methods been documented as dangerous.
James apparently suffered a mild concussion in mid-December, was sent to a building at the end of the practice field to rest. (James describes the building as a “shed,” but I have a very hard time imagining any football-related building on Texas Tech’s campus is “shed”-like.)
I have spent more than a fair amount of time watching trainers and team doctors work. I have never seen a trainer cower down to a coach, and I have actually seen team doctors sharply talk to head coaches. That is why I’m having a hard time swallowing this whole thing. If Leach was in any way, shape or form causing harm or unnecessary discomfort to any of his players, at least one of — if not all of the following three things would have happened, or would be happening:
1.) The trainers — even the student trainers — might have followed Leach’s order at first, but they would have immediately run to a superior, to a certified atheltic trainer on the field or in the training room, orto a team doctor. If they felt Leach was giving odd or improper orders regarding a players’ health — especially about a concussion — they wouldn’t have stood for it.
2.) We’d be reading quotations from someone on the medical and/or athletic training staff. We would already have heard from whoever was in charge of the training room that day — he has to be dying to clear his name, right? Or, wouldn’t we have read a quote from a student trainer waiting to publicly right a wrong? I can’t imagine we will see this student trainer, or a certified athletic trainer but this is where we need an unnamed source to be unearthed by the fine journalists in Lubbock.
3.) Other players would be going crazy. If a coach put a player in harm’s way, that players’ teammates — his friends — would be rushing to his defense. And they would have done it that day. Someone would have leaked it to the press, posted the info in a forum on RedRaiders.com, told a friend who told a friend… When coaches do something harmful, or even just terribly uncool, reporters find out and investigate.
So far, all we have heard from is lawyers and the university’s brass.
I want to know more about James. Is he a troublemaker, or a hard-working player? Is he there on his father’s laurels, or by his own merit? Is he frustrated over playing time? Has he had other issues with Leach? Has Leach had other issues with him? Do his teammates have his back? If not, why not? Has Leach sent other players to the “shed,” or just James? I want t. o see photos of the alleged shed. I want to know what the trainers thought.
Here is something else we know: In February, after 10 months of tenuous negotiations, Leach and the school agreed to a contraction extension: through the 2013 season for $12.7 million. If Tech terminates the contract, the school must pay Leach $400,000 for each year remaining on the agreement.
Here are some stories for more reading, but I’m anxious to read what the Texas reporters dig up on this story, and I hope ESPN can do a solid job despite its affiliation with the James family.
Story courtesy of http://mollyyanity.wordpress.com
LEACH'S FAILURE TO APOLOGIZE LED TO HIS SUSPENSION
Mike Leach's reluctance to apologize to Adam James and his family led to his school-mandated suspension for the Valero Alamo Bowl.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Tuesday that the Tech coach did not dispute the facts after ESPN analyst Craig James had complained to school officials about Leach's treatment of his son, Adam, after he suffered a mild concussion last month.
The Avalanche-Journal reported that the school completed an initial investigation before suspending Leach. Leach did not dispute the facts, but also did not believe he had done anything wrong. The Tech coach also told officials that Adam James was "a slacker" and that Craig James was too involved in his son's football career.
Leach had until Monday to write a letter of apology to James and his family. When he didn't, Tech officials took action.
It led to Leach's suspension, with pay, from his job as head coach.
Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, told the Avalanche-Journal that he hasn't given up hope that Leach will coach the Red Raiders in Saturday night's Valero Alamo Bowl against Michigan State in San Antonio. Liggett said he could consider legal action to get him back on the sidelines.
"We're going to do everything we can to see that our client is duly served justice and that he's reunited with his boys as soon as possible,'' Liggett said.
When asked how he planned to go about it, Liggett said, "Through the court system, don't ya?''
If Leach can't coach, it will lead to a unique coaching situation for the Red Raiders in the bowl game. Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will serve as Tech's interim coach.
McNeill told reporters Monday in San Antonio it will be the first time he has served as a head coach since he coached a high-school team in Lumberton, N.C., in the mid-1980s.
Wide receivers coach Lincoln Riley will take over Leach's play-calling duties for Saturday's game, with staff assistant Sonny Cumbie signaling plays from the sidelines.
The Alamo Bowl already had been marked by who wasn't going to be at the Alamodome. Michigan State suspended 11 players and dismissed two others in connection with a Nov. 22 dorm fight. Among the players who will be missing are wide receivers B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell and starting cornerback Chris L. Rucker, who have all been charged with misdemeanors in connection with the incident
Story courtesy of www.espn.go.com/blog/big12
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Tuesday that the Tech coach did not dispute the facts after ESPN analyst Craig James had complained to school officials about Leach's treatment of his son, Adam, after he suffered a mild concussion last month.
The Avalanche-Journal reported that the school completed an initial investigation before suspending Leach. Leach did not dispute the facts, but also did not believe he had done anything wrong. The Tech coach also told officials that Adam James was "a slacker" and that Craig James was too involved in his son's football career.
Leach had until Monday to write a letter of apology to James and his family. When he didn't, Tech officials took action.
It led to Leach's suspension, with pay, from his job as head coach.
Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, told the Avalanche-Journal that he hasn't given up hope that Leach will coach the Red Raiders in Saturday night's Valero Alamo Bowl against Michigan State in San Antonio. Liggett said he could consider legal action to get him back on the sidelines.
"We're going to do everything we can to see that our client is duly served justice and that he's reunited with his boys as soon as possible,'' Liggett said.
When asked how he planned to go about it, Liggett said, "Through the court system, don't ya?''
If Leach can't coach, it will lead to a unique coaching situation for the Red Raiders in the bowl game. Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will serve as Tech's interim coach.
McNeill told reporters Monday in San Antonio it will be the first time he has served as a head coach since he coached a high-school team in Lumberton, N.C., in the mid-1980s.
Wide receivers coach Lincoln Riley will take over Leach's play-calling duties for Saturday's game, with staff assistant Sonny Cumbie signaling plays from the sidelines.
The Alamo Bowl already had been marked by who wasn't going to be at the Alamodome. Michigan State suspended 11 players and dismissed two others in connection with a Nov. 22 dorm fight. Among the players who will be missing are wide receivers B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell and starting cornerback Chris L. Rucker, who have all been charged with misdemeanors in connection with the incident
Story courtesy of www.espn.go.com/blog/big12
BARBER'S SLUMP BECOMES A CONCERN
Marion Barber is a prototypical power back except for one detail – he's struggling in short-yardage situations.
In the last three games, Barber is 2-for-7 on third and fourth downs with 1 or 2 yards to go. He was 10 of 11 in those situations in the previous 12 games. In Sunday's win over Washington, Barber failed to convert four of those short-yardage situations. He was stopped at the 1 three straight times against San Diego.
"We're addressing that," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Monday. "We had been doing well on third-and-1s. We had about 75 percent going into this last game. We had some trouble on the goal line against San Diego, but that was goal-line offense and goal-line defense for them. They slanted everybody inside, and the plays that we'd run previously that were successful weren't successful."
Phillips said the coaches are looking at the short-yardage package to correct what has gone wrong, but he doesn't think doubt will creep in.
Barber appeared to hesitate after two of those handoffs. Phillips said Washington's Albert Haynesworth had much to do with the stops. He disagreed with a notion that the Cowboys ran finesse plays.
"We've been successful," Phillips said. "We were one of the most successful and Marion was one of the most successful guys and has been through his career, so I think we can get back to that. ... We're addressing that to make sure it doesn't happen again, or the chance of it happening will be less. We need to make those kinds of plays."
Putting future aside: Owner/GM Jerry Jones said after Sunday's game that he does not want to make a coaching change. He praised the togetherness that Phillips has developed with the players and coaching staff, and said he believes Phillips is the right man to run the defense.
That's as close as Jones has come to saying Phillips will be back in 2010. The Cowboys hold an option year on Phillips' contract, but so far there have not been discussions with the team and the coach's agent.
"We've talked about that before, all that," Phillips said. "All I'm thinking about is Philadelphia and trying to do a good job coaching this team, getting ready for that game and getting ready for the playoffs. It's not really a factor to me."
Staying grounded:The Cowboys have bought into the "seven-days-to-humility" philosophy, hoping to avoid big ups and downs over the long season. Former Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston told the players last week how important that attitude was for the dominant Cowboys of the 1990s.
"This is kind of a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league," linebacker Keith Brooking said. "You have a big win, obviously you enjoy it for 24 hours or so, and then you put it behind you and you've got another team staring you in the face. It's kind of the motto we've had all year. I think we've done a good job of kind of staying humble when we've had success, and then there was one situation where we lost two games in a row, but we've bounced back from losses in a very positive way for the majority of the year."
Briefly: NT Jay Ratliff got high praise from Phillips for his two-sack performance against the Redskins. "Jay Ratliff had a monster game," Phillips said. ... RT Marc Colombo probably won't be ready for Sunday's game. Colombo, out for six games because of ligament damage in his ankle and a fractured fibula, has been doing individual drills. ... S Pat Watkins, who has missed two games with a sprained PCL in his knee, said he might need another week of recovery
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
In the last three games, Barber is 2-for-7 on third and fourth downs with 1 or 2 yards to go. He was 10 of 11 in those situations in the previous 12 games. In Sunday's win over Washington, Barber failed to convert four of those short-yardage situations. He was stopped at the 1 three straight times against San Diego.
"We're addressing that," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Monday. "We had been doing well on third-and-1s. We had about 75 percent going into this last game. We had some trouble on the goal line against San Diego, but that was goal-line offense and goal-line defense for them. They slanted everybody inside, and the plays that we'd run previously that were successful weren't successful."
Phillips said the coaches are looking at the short-yardage package to correct what has gone wrong, but he doesn't think doubt will creep in.
Barber appeared to hesitate after two of those handoffs. Phillips said Washington's Albert Haynesworth had much to do with the stops. He disagreed with a notion that the Cowboys ran finesse plays.
"We've been successful," Phillips said. "We were one of the most successful and Marion was one of the most successful guys and has been through his career, so I think we can get back to that. ... We're addressing that to make sure it doesn't happen again, or the chance of it happening will be less. We need to make those kinds of plays."
Putting future aside: Owner/GM Jerry Jones said after Sunday's game that he does not want to make a coaching change. He praised the togetherness that Phillips has developed with the players and coaching staff, and said he believes Phillips is the right man to run the defense.
That's as close as Jones has come to saying Phillips will be back in 2010. The Cowboys hold an option year on Phillips' contract, but so far there have not been discussions with the team and the coach's agent.
"We've talked about that before, all that," Phillips said. "All I'm thinking about is Philadelphia and trying to do a good job coaching this team, getting ready for that game and getting ready for the playoffs. It's not really a factor to me."
Staying grounded:The Cowboys have bought into the "seven-days-to-humility" philosophy, hoping to avoid big ups and downs over the long season. Former Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston told the players last week how important that attitude was for the dominant Cowboys of the 1990s.
"This is kind of a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league," linebacker Keith Brooking said. "You have a big win, obviously you enjoy it for 24 hours or so, and then you put it behind you and you've got another team staring you in the face. It's kind of the motto we've had all year. I think we've done a good job of kind of staying humble when we've had success, and then there was one situation where we lost two games in a row, but we've bounced back from losses in a very positive way for the majority of the year."
Briefly: NT Jay Ratliff got high praise from Phillips for his two-sack performance against the Redskins. "Jay Ratliff had a monster game," Phillips said. ... RT Marc Colombo probably won't be ready for Sunday's game. Colombo, out for six games because of ligament damage in his ankle and a fractured fibula, has been doing individual drills. ... S Pat Watkins, who has missed two games with a sprained PCL in his knee, said he might need another week of recovery
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
FORMER TECH PLAYERS SUPPORT LEACH
Mike Leach’s outspokenness, unconventional coaching methods and quirky behavior on and off the football field have been well-documented. He’s also been known to verbally criticize his players, sometimes publicly.
According to several of his former players, though, Texas Tech’s head coach is not in the least bit a bully or a bad guy.
Several former Red Raiders vehemently defended Leach on Monday after he was indefinitely suspended by the university for his alleged mistreatment of an injured player. Leach’s punishment came in response to a complaint made by sophomore receiver Adam James and his family, along with the results of an internal investigation that Tech administrators said is ongoing.
“I’m privy to a lot of stuff going on down there, and I think the whole thing has been blown way out of proportion. I’m totally in support of coach Leach,” said former offensive lineman Cody Campbell, who was part of Leach’s first recruiting class at Tech. “I’ve heard Adam James was involved with it, he supposedly had a concussion and that Leach basically made him adhere to team rules and guidelines when it comes to injuries. And (James) was upset by that.
“Leach has unusual methods for doing things a lot of times, but he’s never cruel and never out of line in doing them.”
Former Tech offensive lineman Daniel Loper, who now plays for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, also was stunned and surprised by the allegations against Leach. Loper said the incident in question is nothing like the one earlier this year at Kansas, where head coach Mark Mangino resigned amid allegations that he abused his players verbally and physically.
“The whole time I was there, and as well as I know coach Leach, he would never do anything to publicly humiliate or endanger someone’s wellbeing, and he would never do anything unprofessional,” Loper said. “… I never saw him show any kind of favoritism or any kind of hate toward any singular person.”
Former players Graham Harrell and Eric Morris, who finished their Tech careers last season, said Leach handles injured players appropriately and equally. They said Leach and his coaching staff do not pressure players to return to the field before they’re healthy enough to do so, and Morris also said injured players are required to participate in practices just like every other Red Raider.
For example, a player with an injured leg would be required to do pushups during a workout so he could maintain his conditioning and continue to build strength. Former Tech offensive lineman Glenn January referred to the common practice as “Muscle Beach” and also said Leach “doesn’t deviate from the (NCAA) rule book at all and wouldn’t do anything to put a player in harm at all.”
“If you’re injured, you’re required to still participate in some form or fashion. You still have to be outside and doing something,” Morris said. “At times people have tried to get away with faking a little nag here and there, and to get away from people doing that, you always need to let everybody know they’re not going to stand around and do nothing. It’s a great thing to have in place. Some people want to get complacent and do different things because things aren’t going their way.”
Harrell, who finished the 2008 regular-season finale against Baylor despite breaking several bones in his hand during the first half, said Leach left the decision up to him and did not pressure the quarterback to play through the injury. Harrell also said he had the blessing of Tech’s trainers and doctors.
“He was hard on us,” Harrell said, “but it wasn’t like he ever threatened us or put us in a situation that was dangerous to us.”
Some former Tech players, who said they have been in contact with current Red Raiders and the coaching staff, questioned the validity of James’ complaint as well as his motives and intentions. They also said James has a reputation for being soft and somewhat of a prima donna.
“I think some people honestly are not tough enough to play college football, and (James) might be one of them, especially if he’s worried about being called out or humiliated,” Loper said. “… Sometimes that happens, especially at the collegiate level. It’s not like high school and Pop Warner, where everyone gets to play and gets a pat on the back. Sometimes coaches can be mean and yell.”
January said the shed in which James spent practice on Dec. 17 might have been the most appropriate place to deal with his concussion, because it kept him out of the sunlight. January said he and his teammates on the offensive line often retreated to the same shed during practices to rest and escape the heat.
“It’s not like it’s some dungeon,” he said.
January and some other former Tech players also suggested the incident wouldn’t have been scrutinized if James wasn’t the son of Craig James, a former SMU and NFL standout who now works as a television analyst for ESPN.
“It’s basically a non-issue,” January said. “The only reason it’s getting any attention is because of who his dad is.”
Neither Adam James nor any other Tech player was made available for comment Monday after Leach’s suspension was announced, and Craig James did not return multiple calls from The A-J seeking comment.
Regardless of what happened, many former Tech players said the timing of the Jameses’ complaint and Leach’s subsequent suspension is unfortunate. The Red Raiders face Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, and it’s also prime recruiting season.
Former players such as Harrell, Loper and Ryan Aycock said Tech administrators, recruits and even fans should not rush to judgement.
“Anybody that looks into this story should not be shied away,” Loper said. “I don’t know the whole situation with Adam’s father and his influence, and I don’t know if they’re thinking they’re being mistreated like the deal at Kansas. I don’t think this is a situation where (Leach) should be fired or even suspended. From what I’ve heard, I think it’s a little over the line.”
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
According to several of his former players, though, Texas Tech’s head coach is not in the least bit a bully or a bad guy.
Several former Red Raiders vehemently defended Leach on Monday after he was indefinitely suspended by the university for his alleged mistreatment of an injured player. Leach’s punishment came in response to a complaint made by sophomore receiver Adam James and his family, along with the results of an internal investigation that Tech administrators said is ongoing.
“I’m privy to a lot of stuff going on down there, and I think the whole thing has been blown way out of proportion. I’m totally in support of coach Leach,” said former offensive lineman Cody Campbell, who was part of Leach’s first recruiting class at Tech. “I’ve heard Adam James was involved with it, he supposedly had a concussion and that Leach basically made him adhere to team rules and guidelines when it comes to injuries. And (James) was upset by that.
“Leach has unusual methods for doing things a lot of times, but he’s never cruel and never out of line in doing them.”
Former Tech offensive lineman Daniel Loper, who now plays for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, also was stunned and surprised by the allegations against Leach. Loper said the incident in question is nothing like the one earlier this year at Kansas, where head coach Mark Mangino resigned amid allegations that he abused his players verbally and physically.
“The whole time I was there, and as well as I know coach Leach, he would never do anything to publicly humiliate or endanger someone’s wellbeing, and he would never do anything unprofessional,” Loper said. “… I never saw him show any kind of favoritism or any kind of hate toward any singular person.”
Former players Graham Harrell and Eric Morris, who finished their Tech careers last season, said Leach handles injured players appropriately and equally. They said Leach and his coaching staff do not pressure players to return to the field before they’re healthy enough to do so, and Morris also said injured players are required to participate in practices just like every other Red Raider.
For example, a player with an injured leg would be required to do pushups during a workout so he could maintain his conditioning and continue to build strength. Former Tech offensive lineman Glenn January referred to the common practice as “Muscle Beach” and also said Leach “doesn’t deviate from the (NCAA) rule book at all and wouldn’t do anything to put a player in harm at all.”
“If you’re injured, you’re required to still participate in some form or fashion. You still have to be outside and doing something,” Morris said. “At times people have tried to get away with faking a little nag here and there, and to get away from people doing that, you always need to let everybody know they’re not going to stand around and do nothing. It’s a great thing to have in place. Some people want to get complacent and do different things because things aren’t going their way.”
Harrell, who finished the 2008 regular-season finale against Baylor despite breaking several bones in his hand during the first half, said Leach left the decision up to him and did not pressure the quarterback to play through the injury. Harrell also said he had the blessing of Tech’s trainers and doctors.
“He was hard on us,” Harrell said, “but it wasn’t like he ever threatened us or put us in a situation that was dangerous to us.”
Some former Tech players, who said they have been in contact with current Red Raiders and the coaching staff, questioned the validity of James’ complaint as well as his motives and intentions. They also said James has a reputation for being soft and somewhat of a prima donna.
“I think some people honestly are not tough enough to play college football, and (James) might be one of them, especially if he’s worried about being called out or humiliated,” Loper said. “… Sometimes that happens, especially at the collegiate level. It’s not like high school and Pop Warner, where everyone gets to play and gets a pat on the back. Sometimes coaches can be mean and yell.”
January said the shed in which James spent practice on Dec. 17 might have been the most appropriate place to deal with his concussion, because it kept him out of the sunlight. January said he and his teammates on the offensive line often retreated to the same shed during practices to rest and escape the heat.
“It’s not like it’s some dungeon,” he said.
January and some other former Tech players also suggested the incident wouldn’t have been scrutinized if James wasn’t the son of Craig James, a former SMU and NFL standout who now works as a television analyst for ESPN.
“It’s basically a non-issue,” January said. “The only reason it’s getting any attention is because of who his dad is.”
Neither Adam James nor any other Tech player was made available for comment Monday after Leach’s suspension was announced, and Craig James did not return multiple calls from The A-J seeking comment.
Regardless of what happened, many former Tech players said the timing of the Jameses’ complaint and Leach’s subsequent suspension is unfortunate. The Red Raiders face Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, and it’s also prime recruiting season.
Former players such as Harrell, Loper and Ryan Aycock said Tech administrators, recruits and even fans should not rush to judgement.
“Anybody that looks into this story should not be shied away,” Loper said. “I don’t know the whole situation with Adam’s father and his influence, and I don’t know if they’re thinking they’re being mistreated like the deal at Kansas. I don’t think this is a situation where (Leach) should be fired or even suspended. From what I’ve heard, I think it’s a little over the line.”
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
TECH COACHES DRAW UP PLANS TO DIVVY UP LEACH'S DUTIES
Texas Tech already has put in place a plan for replacing suspended head coach Mike Leach on the sideline for the Alamo Bowl on Saturday night.
Since Leach has served as his own offensive coordinator throughout his 10-year tenure as head coach, someone new will call the plays and signal them in. Interim head coach Ruffin McNeill said inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley will be the primary man responsible for play-calling and offensive staff assistant Sonny Cumbie will do the signaling.
“Lincoln will be calling from the box,’’ McNeill said after the team’s practice Monday evening at Benson Stadium. “He has worked with Mike full-time. And Sonny Cumbie, who works hand in hand with Mike, who understands the offense probably as good as anybody, will be signaling in the plays.’’
McNeill, a charter member of Leach’s staff from 2000, was promoted to defensive coordinator five games into the 2007 season. If that was a whirlwind development, it was topped by the events of Monday, when Leach was suspended amid an allegation of player mistreatment and McNeill was told shortly after 3 p.m. that he would be interim head coach. Leach, McNeill and a few players traveled on the same commercial flights from Lubbock to Dallas and San Antonio on Monday, before Tech announced the suspension.
McNeill said he briefly touched base with Leach afterward.
“He said, ‘Just keep it going — keep practice going and get ready for a great week of practice,’ ” McNeill said.
The first practice cast McNeill into at least one unfamiliar role.
“Today, I was making sure the offense had some tempo going, too,’’ he said. “So they heard my voice down at that end a little bit. That was sort of fun, getting the chance to yell at those guys a little bit.’’
A handful of Red Raiders players were scheduled to be available to the media after the practice. But after the mid-afternoon announcement of Leach’s suspension, Tech media relations staff allowed only McNeill to do interviews.
Though the 51-year-old McNeill has been a defensive coordinator at Appalachian State, Nevada-Las Vegas and Tech, he said Saturday would be his first time to enter a game as head coach since a high-school job back in the mid-1980s.
“It’s been a while,’’ he said, “but I’ve been coordinating defenses for a long time as well as special teams. I feel very confident that I’ll be able to do a great job. I feel very confident in the people around me. The coaches that I work with are very professional. I’ve worked with those guys, some of them for 10, seven, eight years. We know each other from A to Z and Z to A, so I feel very confident in that aspect.’’
McNeill said after fighting through some ups and downs in an 8-4 regular season, he thinks the players will respond, too.
They worked out Monday for only a little more than an hour, a typical early game week workout, so there wasn’t much to go on. But McNeill said the signs were positive.
“This team has faced adversity, really all year,’’ McNeill said, “so they were probably a little shocked. But at the same time they did a good job of coming on the field and doing what I asked them to do. So I was proud of that.’’
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
Since Leach has served as his own offensive coordinator throughout his 10-year tenure as head coach, someone new will call the plays and signal them in. Interim head coach Ruffin McNeill said inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley will be the primary man responsible for play-calling and offensive staff assistant Sonny Cumbie will do the signaling.
“Lincoln will be calling from the box,’’ McNeill said after the team’s practice Monday evening at Benson Stadium. “He has worked with Mike full-time. And Sonny Cumbie, who works hand in hand with Mike, who understands the offense probably as good as anybody, will be signaling in the plays.’’
McNeill, a charter member of Leach’s staff from 2000, was promoted to defensive coordinator five games into the 2007 season. If that was a whirlwind development, it was topped by the events of Monday, when Leach was suspended amid an allegation of player mistreatment and McNeill was told shortly after 3 p.m. that he would be interim head coach. Leach, McNeill and a few players traveled on the same commercial flights from Lubbock to Dallas and San Antonio on Monday, before Tech announced the suspension.
McNeill said he briefly touched base with Leach afterward.
“He said, ‘Just keep it going — keep practice going and get ready for a great week of practice,’ ” McNeill said.
The first practice cast McNeill into at least one unfamiliar role.
“Today, I was making sure the offense had some tempo going, too,’’ he said. “So they heard my voice down at that end a little bit. That was sort of fun, getting the chance to yell at those guys a little bit.’’
A handful of Red Raiders players were scheduled to be available to the media after the practice. But after the mid-afternoon announcement of Leach’s suspension, Tech media relations staff allowed only McNeill to do interviews.
Though the 51-year-old McNeill has been a defensive coordinator at Appalachian State, Nevada-Las Vegas and Tech, he said Saturday would be his first time to enter a game as head coach since a high-school job back in the mid-1980s.
“It’s been a while,’’ he said, “but I’ve been coordinating defenses for a long time as well as special teams. I feel very confident that I’ll be able to do a great job. I feel very confident in the people around me. The coaches that I work with are very professional. I’ve worked with those guys, some of them for 10, seven, eight years. We know each other from A to Z and Z to A, so I feel very confident in that aspect.’’
McNeill said after fighting through some ups and downs in an 8-4 regular season, he thinks the players will respond, too.
They worked out Monday for only a little more than an hour, a typical early game week workout, so there wasn’t much to go on. But McNeill said the signs were positive.
“This team has faced adversity, really all year,’’ McNeill said, “so they were probably a little shocked. But at the same time they did a good job of coming on the field and doing what I asked them to do. So I was proud of that.’’
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
December 28, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: LEACH SUSPENDED PENDING INVESTIGATION
Texas Tech suspended Mike Leach from all duties as head football coach Monday and named defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill as interim head coach for Saturday’s Alamo Bowl against Michigan State.
A statement Tech issued Monday afternoon said the university recently received a complaint from a player and his parents about the player’s treatment after an injury.
ESPN’s Joe Schad reported on his Twitter account that Leach has been accused of isolating a player in a closet after that player did not practice because he had a concussion. That report has not been confirmed by the A-J.
“At Texas Tech, all such complaints are considered as serious matters, and as a result an investigation of the incident is underway,’’ the statement said. “Until the investigation is complete, Texas Tech University is suspending coach Leach from all duties as Head Football Coach effective immediately. The investigation into this matter will continue in a thorough and fair manner.’’
The statement said the decision to suspend Leach was made in consultation with Tech President Guy Bailey, Chancellor Kent Hance, Board of Regents Chairman Larry Anders and Vice Chairman Jerry Turner.
The statement said Tech will not comment further because the suspension is a personnel matter.
Leach, in his 10th season, recently broke Spike Dykes’ Tech record for career coaching victories. Leach and his family flew from Lubbock to San Antonio on Monday as the team reported to begin on-site preparations for Saturday’s game.
Tech players were off from Wednesday through Sunday. Their first practice was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Tech spokesman Blayne Beal said McNeill will address the media after practice, but no players will be available.
Tech (8-4) and Michigan State (6-6) square off at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Alamodome, and it will be the college head-coaching debut for McNeill, 51, a charter member of Leach’s staff. McNeill took over as defensive coordinator five games into the 2007 season.
Michigan State media realations contact John Lewandowski refused the A-J’s request for comment from the Spartans, saying “It would be inapproriate for anyone from Michigan State to comment on this situation.”
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com. This story will be updated as more information is available. We will also post updates at twitter.com/AJSports.
A statement Tech issued Monday afternoon said the university recently received a complaint from a player and his parents about the player’s treatment after an injury.
ESPN’s Joe Schad reported on his Twitter account that Leach has been accused of isolating a player in a closet after that player did not practice because he had a concussion. That report has not been confirmed by the A-J.
“At Texas Tech, all such complaints are considered as serious matters, and as a result an investigation of the incident is underway,’’ the statement said. “Until the investigation is complete, Texas Tech University is suspending coach Leach from all duties as Head Football Coach effective immediately. The investigation into this matter will continue in a thorough and fair manner.’’
The statement said the decision to suspend Leach was made in consultation with Tech President Guy Bailey, Chancellor Kent Hance, Board of Regents Chairman Larry Anders and Vice Chairman Jerry Turner.
The statement said Tech will not comment further because the suspension is a personnel matter.
Leach, in his 10th season, recently broke Spike Dykes’ Tech record for career coaching victories. Leach and his family flew from Lubbock to San Antonio on Monday as the team reported to begin on-site preparations for Saturday’s game.
Tech players were off from Wednesday through Sunday. Their first practice was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Tech spokesman Blayne Beal said McNeill will address the media after practice, but no players will be available.
Tech (8-4) and Michigan State (6-6) square off at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Alamodome, and it will be the college head-coaching debut for McNeill, 51, a charter member of Leach’s staff. McNeill took over as defensive coordinator five games into the 2007 season.
Michigan State media realations contact John Lewandowski refused the A-J’s request for comment from the Spartans, saying “It would be inapproriate for anyone from Michigan State to comment on this situation.”
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com. This story will be updated as more information is available. We will also post updates at twitter.com/AJSports.
December 27, 2009
TECH BACK TO WORK AFTER HOLIDAY BREAK
Texas Tech players spent most of December studying, staying sharp and working on fundamentals, aware that their Alamo Bowl tussle against Michigan State was still some time away.
“We’ll really dive into Michigan State when we get down there,’’ Tech assistant coach Lincoln Riley said last week.
Finally, four weeks after its regular-season finale against Baylor, Tech goes back into game-week mode starting today. The Red Raiders report to San Antonio and have their first on-site workout at 5 p.m. today in preparation for Saturday’s Alamo Bowl.
Tech hasn’t played in San Antonio since the 2001 Alamo Bowl against Iowa. The Red Raiders lost that one, but Tech coach Mike Leach doesn’t mind going back.
“San Antonio’s a great city,’’ he said. “You can make the argument it’s easily one of the best cities in Texas. Great place. Great food. What really makes it good, it’s a walk-around setting, so it’s not like you’re on a bus and transit and taking cars to get somewhere. It’s a walk-around deal. The way the Alamo Bowl people put it together, I think, is excellent.’’
Michigan State (6-6) arrived in San Antonio on Sunday. The Spartans’ first workout is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. today at Alamo Heights High School. The Raiders’ practice site is at the University of the Incarnate Word, which had a first-year program in NCAA Division II this season.
Tech players were given Wednesday through Sunday off for a Christmas break. Before that, Leach said he was pleased with the preparation in Lubbock. Most of the game-plan installation, though, will take place this week.
“During the season, it’s just one week (preparation): You’ve got this (opponent), and you get used to playing them,’’ Riley said. “You don’t ever have two weeks, really and we don’t use (bowl preparation) that way.’’
Tech is favored by a little more than a touchdown against a team that’s had to deal with player suspensions and dismissals stemming from a Nov. 22 dormitory fight for which nine players have been charged.
Michigan State got the invitation based to a large extent on the productivity of its offense. The Spartans led the Big Ten Conference in passing and finished third in scoring offense, averaging right at 30 points per game.
“I think it’s a good offense,’’ Leach said. “They run a lot of stuff. I think their quarterbacks are pretty good. They get the ball to a number of people. They’re big on formations. They’ll mess with formations and things. I think they’re good.’’
Sophomore Kirk Cousins led the Big Ten in passing efficiency while throwing for 2.460 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Spartans also use Keith Nichol, a transfer from Oklahoma who appeared in nine games and threw for 764 yards and seven touchdowns.
“To me, they look very similar,’’ Leach said. “They move around decent. They throw decent. I think they’re good overall players.’’
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
“We’ll really dive into Michigan State when we get down there,’’ Tech assistant coach Lincoln Riley said last week.
Finally, four weeks after its regular-season finale against Baylor, Tech goes back into game-week mode starting today. The Red Raiders report to San Antonio and have their first on-site workout at 5 p.m. today in preparation for Saturday’s Alamo Bowl.
Tech hasn’t played in San Antonio since the 2001 Alamo Bowl against Iowa. The Red Raiders lost that one, but Tech coach Mike Leach doesn’t mind going back.
“San Antonio’s a great city,’’ he said. “You can make the argument it’s easily one of the best cities in Texas. Great place. Great food. What really makes it good, it’s a walk-around setting, so it’s not like you’re on a bus and transit and taking cars to get somewhere. It’s a walk-around deal. The way the Alamo Bowl people put it together, I think, is excellent.’’
Michigan State (6-6) arrived in San Antonio on Sunday. The Spartans’ first workout is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. today at Alamo Heights High School. The Raiders’ practice site is at the University of the Incarnate Word, which had a first-year program in NCAA Division II this season.
Tech players were given Wednesday through Sunday off for a Christmas break. Before that, Leach said he was pleased with the preparation in Lubbock. Most of the game-plan installation, though, will take place this week.
“During the season, it’s just one week (preparation): You’ve got this (opponent), and you get used to playing them,’’ Riley said. “You don’t ever have two weeks, really and we don’t use (bowl preparation) that way.’’
Tech is favored by a little more than a touchdown against a team that’s had to deal with player suspensions and dismissals stemming from a Nov. 22 dormitory fight for which nine players have been charged.
Michigan State got the invitation based to a large extent on the productivity of its offense. The Spartans led the Big Ten Conference in passing and finished third in scoring offense, averaging right at 30 points per game.
“I think it’s a good offense,’’ Leach said. “They run a lot of stuff. I think their quarterbacks are pretty good. They get the ball to a number of people. They’re big on formations. They’ll mess with formations and things. I think they’re good.’’
Sophomore Kirk Cousins led the Big Ten in passing efficiency while throwing for 2.460 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Spartans also use Keith Nichol, a transfer from Oklahoma who appeared in nine games and threw for 764 yards and seven touchdowns.
“To me, they look very similar,’’ Leach said. “They move around decent. They throw decent. I think they’re good overall players.’’
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
December 21, 2009
FINAL THOUGHTS ON COWBOYS VICTORY OVER THE SAINTS
Just when you thought Wade Phillips and the Cowboys were pretty much done, they go out and hand the Saints their first loss of the season. And as much as we've bragged about Drew Brees this season, Tony Romo was the best quarterback on the field in the Cowboys' 24-17 win. Romo was 22-of-34 for 312 yards and a touchdown. And he used his legs to extend important drives. He has been heavily criticized for his record in December, but this was the signature win that a lot of folks have been waiting on. Here are a few quick-hitting observations on the Cowboys' win in the Big Easy:
- Having DeMarcus Ware on the field gave the Cowboys a huge lift. Phillips wisely limited him to passing downs and he had a ton of energy. That made a big difference on the final drive. It was Ware who caused the Brees fumble that clinched the win for the Cowboys. And right up until that moment, I thought Brees might have a legitimate shot of leading the Saints back. Here's what Ware told the NFL Network moments after the game: "When I told the team I was playing tonight, everybody's eyes lit up. And as you can see, the scoreboard lit up too." Most people didn't believe Phillips on Monday when he said that Ware could possibly play against the Saints. But the All-Pro outside linebacker made steady progress with the team's medical staff and was finally cleared after going through a series of tests a couple hours before the game.
- Miles Austin is obviously the Cowboys' No. 1 wide receiver at this point. He had the big touchdown early in the game, but it was his catch and run on a third-and-long with 6:28 left in the game that held the Saints' comeback at bay. You can tell Romo has so much faith in Austin. Conversely, why would anyone have faith in Roy Williams at this point? His drop on a quick slant in the fourth quarter allowed the Saints to continue their comeback. I'd bench the guy. He really has no business being on the field -- especially with players such as Kevin Ogletree and Patrick Crayton making clutch catches.
- Surely the Cowboys will go ahead and cut kicker Nick Folk now. The NFL Network showed footage of him shanking field goals before the game and sure enough he hit the right upright on a short attempt with 2:14 left in the game. I can't imagine him being on the roster when the Cowboys make the trip to Washington next Sunday night. Winning has a way of covering up warts, but Folk can't hide after that miss.
- Mike Jenkins is about to become a perennial Pro Bowl player if he keeps this up. The Cowboys' second-year cornerback went toe-to-toe with perhaps the deepest group of receivers in the league. His interception in the second quarter ended a Saints scoring threat and he made plays throughout the game. He's playing with a swagger right now that's pretty impressive. And he's getting good jams at the line of scrimmage. Jenkins told me Wednesday he's a huge fan of Charles Woodson's game. And on Saturday night, he sort of reminded me of Woodson. He's by far the best cornerback the Cowboys have right now and he'll be in the Pro Bowl mix next season.
- It's a joke that Jay Ratliff isn't in the top five in the Pro Bowl fan voting. Ratliff can take over a game from his defensive tackle spot. He controlled Saints center Jonathan Goodwin and caused a lot of trouble in the middle. Ratliff didn't really show up on the stat sheet other than his fumble recovery, but he caused a lot of trouble for the Saints.
- This had to be outside linebacker Anthony Spencer's best game as a Cowboy. With Ware resting quite a bit on first and second down, Spencer turned up the pressure. For some reason, the Saints kept forgetting to block him and Spencer took advantage. Spencer and Ware combined for four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. This is what the Cowboys had in mind when they drafted Spencer in the first round.
- Let's revisit the Austin note: Austin completely embarrassed Saints first-rounder Malcolm Jenkins on a double move on the touchdown. Jenkins just bit all the way, allowing Austin to get over him for the easy touchdown. Perfect throw by Romo. And then the heralded Darren Sharper had trouble keeping track of Austin. Austin ran through Sharper's arm tackle on one long play in the first half. On that huge play with 6:28 left in the game, tight end Jason Witten did a nice job of clearing things out for Austin.
- Tony Romo said on TV after the game that the Cowboys used a Tony Dungy video clip as a source of motivation. Romo revealed special teams coach Joe DeCamillis showed a video of Dungy saying on NBC last Sunday night the Cowboys had "no chance" against the Saints.
The Cowboys' reward: One whole week with no one talking about how awful they've been in December. Impressive win. If they follow it up with a win in Washington, we're looking at a huge showdown between the Cowboys and Eagles to end the regular season.
Story courtesy of Matt Mosley at www.espn.com [NFC East Blog]
- Having DeMarcus Ware on the field gave the Cowboys a huge lift. Phillips wisely limited him to passing downs and he had a ton of energy. That made a big difference on the final drive. It was Ware who caused the Brees fumble that clinched the win for the Cowboys. And right up until that moment, I thought Brees might have a legitimate shot of leading the Saints back. Here's what Ware told the NFL Network moments after the game: "When I told the team I was playing tonight, everybody's eyes lit up. And as you can see, the scoreboard lit up too." Most people didn't believe Phillips on Monday when he said that Ware could possibly play against the Saints. But the All-Pro outside linebacker made steady progress with the team's medical staff and was finally cleared after going through a series of tests a couple hours before the game.
- Miles Austin is obviously the Cowboys' No. 1 wide receiver at this point. He had the big touchdown early in the game, but it was his catch and run on a third-and-long with 6:28 left in the game that held the Saints' comeback at bay. You can tell Romo has so much faith in Austin. Conversely, why would anyone have faith in Roy Williams at this point? His drop on a quick slant in the fourth quarter allowed the Saints to continue their comeback. I'd bench the guy. He really has no business being on the field -- especially with players such as Kevin Ogletree and Patrick Crayton making clutch catches.
- Surely the Cowboys will go ahead and cut kicker Nick Folk now. The NFL Network showed footage of him shanking field goals before the game and sure enough he hit the right upright on a short attempt with 2:14 left in the game. I can't imagine him being on the roster when the Cowboys make the trip to Washington next Sunday night. Winning has a way of covering up warts, but Folk can't hide after that miss.
- Mike Jenkins is about to become a perennial Pro Bowl player if he keeps this up. The Cowboys' second-year cornerback went toe-to-toe with perhaps the deepest group of receivers in the league. His interception in the second quarter ended a Saints scoring threat and he made plays throughout the game. He's playing with a swagger right now that's pretty impressive. And he's getting good jams at the line of scrimmage. Jenkins told me Wednesday he's a huge fan of Charles Woodson's game. And on Saturday night, he sort of reminded me of Woodson. He's by far the best cornerback the Cowboys have right now and he'll be in the Pro Bowl mix next season.
- It's a joke that Jay Ratliff isn't in the top five in the Pro Bowl fan voting. Ratliff can take over a game from his defensive tackle spot. He controlled Saints center Jonathan Goodwin and caused a lot of trouble in the middle. Ratliff didn't really show up on the stat sheet other than his fumble recovery, but he caused a lot of trouble for the Saints.
- This had to be outside linebacker Anthony Spencer's best game as a Cowboy. With Ware resting quite a bit on first and second down, Spencer turned up the pressure. For some reason, the Saints kept forgetting to block him and Spencer took advantage. Spencer and Ware combined for four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. This is what the Cowboys had in mind when they drafted Spencer in the first round.
- Let's revisit the Austin note: Austin completely embarrassed Saints first-rounder Malcolm Jenkins on a double move on the touchdown. Jenkins just bit all the way, allowing Austin to get over him for the easy touchdown. Perfect throw by Romo. And then the heralded Darren Sharper had trouble keeping track of Austin. Austin ran through Sharper's arm tackle on one long play in the first half. On that huge play with 6:28 left in the game, tight end Jason Witten did a nice job of clearing things out for Austin.
- Tony Romo said on TV after the game that the Cowboys used a Tony Dungy video clip as a source of motivation. Romo revealed special teams coach Joe DeCamillis showed a video of Dungy saying on NBC last Sunday night the Cowboys had "no chance" against the Saints.
The Cowboys' reward: One whole week with no one talking about how awful they've been in December. Impressive win. If they follow it up with a win in Washington, we're looking at a huge showdown between the Cowboys and Eagles to end the regular season.
Story courtesy of Matt Mosley at www.espn.com [NFC East Blog]
December 16, 2009
2 RED RAIDERS ON AP ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Texas Tech seniors Brandon Carter and Brandon Sharpe were named to The Associated Press All-America third team on Tuesday.
Carter, 6-foot-7, 344-pound offensive guard from Longview, allowed only one sack this season and helped anchor a Red Raiders’ attack that ranked among the top 10 nationally in both total offense and scoring offense. Carter was a second-team AP All-American last year after allowing no sacks.
Sharpe, a 6-3, 254-pound defensive end from Georgia, had 15 sacks during the regular season to break the Tech single-season school record previously held by Adell Duckett. Sharpe, who registered 13 sacks in seven Big 12 Conference games, also was a third-team all-America selection by the Sporting News.
Linebacker Greg Jones of Michigan State, which will face Tech in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 in San Antonio, was a first-team All-America pick by the AP.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
Carter, 6-foot-7, 344-pound offensive guard from Longview, allowed only one sack this season and helped anchor a Red Raiders’ attack that ranked among the top 10 nationally in both total offense and scoring offense. Carter was a second-team AP All-American last year after allowing no sacks.
Sharpe, a 6-3, 254-pound defensive end from Georgia, had 15 sacks during the regular season to break the Tech single-season school record previously held by Adell Duckett. Sharpe, who registered 13 sacks in seven Big 12 Conference games, also was a third-team all-America selection by the Sporting News.
Linebacker Greg Jones of Michigan State, which will face Tech in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 in San Antonio, was a first-team All-America pick by the AP.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
December 11, 2009
WHO CAN REPLACE TECH'S MARLON WILLIAMS NEXT YEAR?
Going into his last college game, Marlon Williams has made 37 starts in a row dating to week two of his sophomore season. One game remains this season, so Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill isn’t preoccupied with questions such as who will succeed Williams as the Red Raiders’ weak-side linebacker.
He does have a few early preferences, though.
Not Sam Fehoko. McNeill said he liked the rotation the Raiders had this season at middle linebacker with starter Brian Duncan and wants to keep it that way.
Not Julius Howard. Although Howard, a junior, played outside linebacker most of his career, McNeill prefers to keep him at safety, to which he made a smooth transition this year. Howard had a productive second half of the season as a sub-package safety.
Not Tyrone Sonier. McNeill has invested three years developing Sonier on the strong side, where he backs up Bront Bird.
McNeill would like a young player to come along in the off-season and spring practice and make a claim on the job. He started one experiment in pre-Alamo Bowl practices, moving true freshman Daniel Cobb from safety to weak-side linebacker.
“I think he can handle it,’’ McNeill said this week. “He’s been doing a pretty good job for us. When you move a DB down, it’s the run game he has to get used to. But he’s got athleticism and a really good mentality about him. The pass-coverage part, he’s been a safety and that helps him in pass coverage quite a bit. The run game is the phase he’ll have to learn.’’
McNeill said nothing is set in stone regarding the Cobb experiment, but the 6-foot-1, 206-pound freshman does offer some of the skills for which McNeill is looking.
With the prevalence of spread-passing offenses in the Big 12 Conference, McNeill said the ability to cover receivers is paramount for whoever wins the position.
“There’s a certain type of guy that I want at (weak-side linebacker),’’ McNeill said. “I’m looking for that guy that can cover down more on wide receivers. He has to cover down on wide receivers more than a (strong-side linebacker) normally. People are spreading us out.’’
That’s part of the reason McNeill says he’ll keep the middle linebacker pairing of Duncan and Fehoko intact, even though those two and Bront Bird will go into next season as the team’s most experienced linebackers.
McNeill said Fehoko doesn’t need to be covering receivers, but he does like what the Hawaiian did this season in the middle.
“I tried to develop more into a player, a Big 12 caliber kind of guy,’’ said Fehoko, who is a sophomore this season. “I’m learning more every day. Especially getting game reps this season, I’ve learned a lot more than I used to. I’ve seen a lot more stuff.’’
Duncan has a team-high 80 tackles, plus five pass breakups. Fehoko had 18 tackles but McNeill said he developed a “Big 12 mentality,’’ so his playing time increased.
“That’s due to Sam’s practice habits, production in practice and understanding the tempo that we need to be successful,’’ McNeill said. “He’s earned that. Sam needs to be in the middle. He’s not a guy that needs to cover down on the outside (receivers).’’
Junior Blake Collier was in position to succeed Williams before he decided early this season to give up football. Other possibilities are sophomore Riley Harvey, who played in eight games, primarily on special teams, this season, and true freshmen.
Tech’s February signing class yielded Dallas Bishop Lynch’s Dion Chidozie, who is training on the weak side, and Keller Fossil Ridge’s Brandon Mahoney, who missed virtually the entire season’s worth of practices with a shoulder injury. McNeill said he hasn’t made up his mind where Mahoney fits best, but thinks he has strong-side linebacker potential.
“He’s got a lot of explosiveness about him in drills, maybe because his legs are pretty fresh, too,’’ McNeill said. “He’s shown quickness and change of direction and speed that I like. I’m anxious to see him put the pads back on.’’
McNeill said Chidozie seemed to lack confidence early on, but looks more comfortable lately.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
He does have a few early preferences, though.
Not Sam Fehoko. McNeill said he liked the rotation the Raiders had this season at middle linebacker with starter Brian Duncan and wants to keep it that way.
Not Julius Howard. Although Howard, a junior, played outside linebacker most of his career, McNeill prefers to keep him at safety, to which he made a smooth transition this year. Howard had a productive second half of the season as a sub-package safety.
Not Tyrone Sonier. McNeill has invested three years developing Sonier on the strong side, where he backs up Bront Bird.
McNeill would like a young player to come along in the off-season and spring practice and make a claim on the job. He started one experiment in pre-Alamo Bowl practices, moving true freshman Daniel Cobb from safety to weak-side linebacker.
“I think he can handle it,’’ McNeill said this week. “He’s been doing a pretty good job for us. When you move a DB down, it’s the run game he has to get used to. But he’s got athleticism and a really good mentality about him. The pass-coverage part, he’s been a safety and that helps him in pass coverage quite a bit. The run game is the phase he’ll have to learn.’’
McNeill said nothing is set in stone regarding the Cobb experiment, but the 6-foot-1, 206-pound freshman does offer some of the skills for which McNeill is looking.
With the prevalence of spread-passing offenses in the Big 12 Conference, McNeill said the ability to cover receivers is paramount for whoever wins the position.
“There’s a certain type of guy that I want at (weak-side linebacker),’’ McNeill said. “I’m looking for that guy that can cover down more on wide receivers. He has to cover down on wide receivers more than a (strong-side linebacker) normally. People are spreading us out.’’
That’s part of the reason McNeill says he’ll keep the middle linebacker pairing of Duncan and Fehoko intact, even though those two and Bront Bird will go into next season as the team’s most experienced linebackers.
McNeill said Fehoko doesn’t need to be covering receivers, but he does like what the Hawaiian did this season in the middle.
“I tried to develop more into a player, a Big 12 caliber kind of guy,’’ said Fehoko, who is a sophomore this season. “I’m learning more every day. Especially getting game reps this season, I’ve learned a lot more than I used to. I’ve seen a lot more stuff.’’
Duncan has a team-high 80 tackles, plus five pass breakups. Fehoko had 18 tackles but McNeill said he developed a “Big 12 mentality,’’ so his playing time increased.
“That’s due to Sam’s practice habits, production in practice and understanding the tempo that we need to be successful,’’ McNeill said. “He’s earned that. Sam needs to be in the middle. He’s not a guy that needs to cover down on the outside (receivers).’’
Junior Blake Collier was in position to succeed Williams before he decided early this season to give up football. Other possibilities are sophomore Riley Harvey, who played in eight games, primarily on special teams, this season, and true freshmen.
Tech’s February signing class yielded Dallas Bishop Lynch’s Dion Chidozie, who is training on the weak side, and Keller Fossil Ridge’s Brandon Mahoney, who missed virtually the entire season’s worth of practices with a shoulder injury. McNeill said he hasn’t made up his mind where Mahoney fits best, but thinks he has strong-side linebacker potential.
“He’s got a lot of explosiveness about him in drills, maybe because his legs are pretty fresh, too,’’ McNeill said. “He’s shown quickness and change of direction and speed that I like. I’m anxious to see him put the pads back on.’’
McNeill said Chidozie seemed to lack confidence early on, but looks more comfortable lately.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
December 9, 2009
TECH SELLS OUT INITIAL BOWL ALLOTMENT
Texas Tech announced Tuesday that it had sold its initial allotment of 11,016 tickets to the Alamo Bowl, prompting Alamo Bowl officials to allocate more tickets to be sold through Tech.
Upper-level sideline tickets in the Alamodome, all priced at $55, are what’s currently for sale for Tech’s Jan. 2 game against Michigan State.
Dave Welsh, Tech assistant athletic director for ticket operations, said there wasn’t a specific number newly allocated.
“We can keep selling and selling and selling, and whatever we need we can get from the bowl,’’ Welsh said. “They’re all upper level, and we’re going to try to help them sell as many of those tickets as we can.’’
Welsh said the Tech ticket office at the moment is filling orders and not yet assigning seats, but he said all upper-level seats being reserved are sideline/yard-line seats.
Tech said it sold more than 25,000 seats through the athletic department the last time the Red Raiders played in the Alamo Bowl in 2001.
RRC adds hotel rooms
Texas Tech announced Tuesday that the Red Raider Club has added blocks of rooms at three more hotels on the San Antonio Riverwalk after its block at the Grand Hyatt sold out.
It now has blocked off rooms at Westin Riverwalk, Marriott Riverwalk and Hilton Placio Del Rio, all within walking distance of the Alamodome, where Tech plays Michigan State on Jan. 2.
According to Tech officials, more than 1,000 rooms were reserved by Tech fans after the pairing was announced Sunday.
Reservations are being accepted through National Travel Systems by calling 1 (888) 603-8747 or (806) 794-3135 or by e-mailing at sportsinfo@nationaltravelsystems.com.
Leach: Potts to start
Tech coach Mike Leach told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he’ll stick with quarterback Taylor Potts, who started the last three regular-season games, in the Alamo Bowl.
Late in the season, Leach faulted himself for going back and forth between Potts and Steven Sheffield.
“I’m going to start Potts,’’ Leach told the newspaper. “He’s steady, and I need to settle on one and quit pulling them in and out, and then in the spring they’ll battle it out.’’
Davis honored
Tech safety Cody Davis has been named to the first team of Phil Steele Publications’ freshman all-America team. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt freshman from Stephenville is second on the team with 72 tackles and has six pass breakups.
Several Tech players also were named to Steele’s all-Big Conference team. Guard Brandon Carter was on the first unit, and the second team included defensive end Brandon Sharpe, offensive tackle Marlon Winn and cornerback Jamar Wall.
Making the third team were running back Baron Batch, wide receiver Alex Torres and defensive end Daniel Howard, and the fourth team included quarterback Taylor Potts and running back Eric Stephens.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
Upper-level sideline tickets in the Alamodome, all priced at $55, are what’s currently for sale for Tech’s Jan. 2 game against Michigan State.
Dave Welsh, Tech assistant athletic director for ticket operations, said there wasn’t a specific number newly allocated.
“We can keep selling and selling and selling, and whatever we need we can get from the bowl,’’ Welsh said. “They’re all upper level, and we’re going to try to help them sell as many of those tickets as we can.’’
Welsh said the Tech ticket office at the moment is filling orders and not yet assigning seats, but he said all upper-level seats being reserved are sideline/yard-line seats.
Tech said it sold more than 25,000 seats through the athletic department the last time the Red Raiders played in the Alamo Bowl in 2001.
RRC adds hotel rooms
Texas Tech announced Tuesday that the Red Raider Club has added blocks of rooms at three more hotels on the San Antonio Riverwalk after its block at the Grand Hyatt sold out.
It now has blocked off rooms at Westin Riverwalk, Marriott Riverwalk and Hilton Placio Del Rio, all within walking distance of the Alamodome, where Tech plays Michigan State on Jan. 2.
According to Tech officials, more than 1,000 rooms were reserved by Tech fans after the pairing was announced Sunday.
Reservations are being accepted through National Travel Systems by calling 1 (888) 603-8747 or (806) 794-3135 or by e-mailing at sportsinfo@nationaltravelsystems.com.
Leach: Potts to start
Tech coach Mike Leach told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he’ll stick with quarterback Taylor Potts, who started the last three regular-season games, in the Alamo Bowl.
Late in the season, Leach faulted himself for going back and forth between Potts and Steven Sheffield.
“I’m going to start Potts,’’ Leach told the newspaper. “He’s steady, and I need to settle on one and quit pulling them in and out, and then in the spring they’ll battle it out.’’
Davis honored
Tech safety Cody Davis has been named to the first team of Phil Steele Publications’ freshman all-America team. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt freshman from Stephenville is second on the team with 72 tackles and has six pass breakups.
Several Tech players also were named to Steele’s all-Big Conference team. Guard Brandon Carter was on the first unit, and the second team included defensive end Brandon Sharpe, offensive tackle Marlon Winn and cornerback Jamar Wall.
Making the third team were running back Baron Batch, wide receiver Alex Torres and defensive end Daniel Howard, and the fourth team included quarterback Taylor Potts and running back Eric Stephens.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
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