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.
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This is bunk, I emailed Hance, Bailey and the Board of Regents' administrative assistant in show of support for Leach. We need our coach back. If I am Michigan State right now, I am thinking we have life again and a shot at the game.
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