Leach Fired!

[WabashFalcon]

I guess the bloodsuckers finally got rid of Leach...

AmIright? HUH??? HUH???

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I guess the bloodsuckers finally got rid of Leach...

AmIright? HUH??? HUH???

Stick to your day job.

 

[kmoose]

Okay, don't flame me, but I'm going to take this from the perspective of Craig James.

My kid gets a concussion and gets placed in a storage shed two separate times like he is a fucking toddler and needs babysitting. I don't care about his attitude or his practice work ethics. My kid is hurt and you are singling him out like he's getting a concussion on purpose. This is why there are trainers rooms. There is no excuse on why he was treated in this manner.

Now, with that in mind there is no way Mike Leach should have been fired, but Texas Tech was looking for a reason to shitcan him. At most, this incident was overblown and now you are going to have every fucking whiner out there crying foul with his coach if he doesn't get the playing time he wants.

I don't believe Mike Leach will have a hard time finding new employment.

And, just like a parent, you are ignoring some obvious points:

1. I think if it had actually been what most of us picture as a storage shed, then ESPN would have plastered pictures of it all over the network. I'm betting that the building in question is more like Leach's lawyer characterized it........as a large garage type structure that is used to store football equipment.

2. As a parent, don't you think that there were probably MANY times that people could have accused you of treating your teenage offspring like a baby? It's called teaching. Teaching your children life lessons. And, often, parents end up treating the young adult as a child, because they are frustrated that the kid doesn't seem to be getting it.


3. Craig James' statement on ESPN did more damage to his credibility, with me, than it did to Leach's. Don't you think that, if you were seriously concerned about your kid's health, you would have rehearsed the reasoning for it, a million times over, in your head? Instead, what we got was James obviously "just winging it", in his statement. The verbal pauses, the mangled wording, the rambling, all indicated to me that he was kind of making it up as he went along. I don't doubt that Leach probably crossed a line, but Craig James is looking like an f'ing muckraker, in my opinion. If his sole concern was the safety of his kid, and the other kids on the team.........don't you think he might have presented at least ONE possible unhealthy outcome, as a result of the coach's actions?

I have no problem with them canning Leach. I think he probably made an incredibly poor decision, in regards to James. But, let's call it what it is......this whole situation boiled down to a University that was just looking for a reason to fire the guy, and a semi-famous father who was incensed that a coach would treat HIS kid like that. Instead of telling his kid, "Look, this is is big boy football. You have to either put forth the effort, or accept the consequences.", this father chose to play the tough guy, and go after the coach.

 

[johnnykillz]

I've played for perfectly nice guy coaches that would never cross a line ethics wise, and coaches that would scream and yell and spray small particulate copenhagen droplets across every non-concealed area of your body.

To finish my point, football has to be a very structured team sport relative to the military in intent, focus, and training. Respect must be given to superiors, and poor attitudes MUST be adjusted. For just as good ones are contagious, so too are bad ones. Nice guy, never jumping any arse coaches can be successful as assistants. Head coaches must be hard-lined, demanding the most from players, only giving kudos to truly amazing feats, and expecting perfection play after play. Everyone second guesses the boss. But when a hard-lined boss steps onto the scene and has the experience and qualifications necessary to lead, no one questions him to his face. They know he's been there and earned it. Should he be questioned, heads should roll. Should he ask opinions, it will be of his immediate subordinates behind closed doors.

In the context of football, you don't question the coach. You don't complain. You do your job. You expect your teammates to do their jobs. James doesn't belong to a program where success is measured by wins.

Oh and McGibblets. TTU was one win over OK to being very relevant. So relevant, in fact, that we are discussing them on a board committed to the most envied and storied college football program of all time. Make a mental note of that...

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

And, just like a parent, you are ignoring some obvious points:

1. I think if it had actually been what most of us picture as a storage shed, then ESPN would have plastered pictures of it all over the network. I'm betting that the building in question is more like Leach's lawyer characterized it........as a large garage type structure that is used to store football equipment.

2. As a parent, don't you think that there were probably MANY times that people could have accused you of treating your teenage offspring like a baby? It's called teaching. Teaching your children life lessons. And, often, parents end up treating the young adult as a child, because they are frustrated that the kid doesn't seem to be getting it.


3. Craig James' statement on ESPN did more damage to his credibility, with me, than it did to Leach's. Don't you think that, if you were seriously concerned about your kid's health, you would have rehearsed the reasoning for it, a million times over, in your head? Instead, what we got was James obviously "just winging it", in his statement. The verbal pauses, the mangled wording, the rambling, all indicated to me that he was kind of making it up as he went along. I don't doubt that Leach probably crossed a line, but Craig James is looking like an f'ing muckraker, in my opinion. If his sole concern was the safety of his kid, and the other kids on the team.........don't you think he might have presented at least ONE possible unhealthy outcome, as a result of the coach's actions?

I have no problem with them canning Leach. I think he probably made an incredibly poor decision, in regards to James. But, let's call it what it is......this whole situation boiled down to a University that was just looking for a reason to fire the guy, and a semi-famous father who was incensed that a coach would treat HIS kid like that. Instead of telling his kid, "Look, this is is big boy football. You have to either put forth the effort, or accept the consequences.", this father chose to play the tough guy, and go after the coach.

1. They did show the "space" on ESPN today and it was anything but a garage. Much like the space I have in my backyard. Not very big, aluminum building where I store a mower and some of the kids toys.

2. Holy crap....the more you post, the more you come off as Jeffrey Dahmer.

3. So what you're saying is that a parent, regardless of the circumstances should tow the company line and let these a-holes abuse their kids? If things are as TT's assistant coach says they are....Young James had spouted off about coaching and such.....when did solitary confinement become the punishment of choice versus running til you puke??? I'm quite certain that Sr. James wouldn't have had a problem with that as he's old school football, but to suggest locking one's son/daughter up in a black room for 3 hours because he was complaining of "concussion type" symptoms is absolutely crossing the line and that A$$ Wipe Leach deserves everything he gets.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I've played for perfectly nice guy coaches that would never cross a line ethics wise, and coaches that would scream and yell and spray small particulate copenhagen droplets across every non-concealed area of your body.

To finish my point, football has to be a very structured team sport relative to the military in intent, focus, and training. Respect must be given to superiors, and poor attitudes MUST be adjusted. For just as good ones are contagious, so too are bad ones. Nice guy, never jumping any arse coaches can be successful as assistants. Head coaches must be hard-lined, demanding the most from players, only giving kudos to truly amazing feats, and expecting perfection play after play. Everyone second guesses the boss. But when a hard-lined boss steps onto the scene and has the experience and qualifications necessary to lead, no one questions him to his face. They know he's been there and earned it. Should he be questioned, heads should roll. Should he ask opinions, it will be of his immediate subordinates behind closed doors.

In the context of football, you don't question the coach. You don't complain. You do your job. You expect your teammates to do their jobs. James doesn't belong to a program where success is measured by wins.

Oh and McGibblets. TTU was one win over OK to being very relevant. So relevant, in fact, that we are discussing them on a board committed to the most envied and storied college football program of all time. Make a mental note of that...

couldn't agree more....however, putting someone in solitary confinement is just a little too Gitmo for the Big 12, no???

 

[johnnykillz]

I'm quite certain that Sr. James wouldn't have had a problem with that as he's old school football, but to suggest locking one's son/daughter up in a black room for 3 hours because he was complaining of "concussion type" symptoms is absolutely crossing the line and that A$$ Wipe Leach deserves everything he gets.

I'm actually certain Sr. James would have had a problem with anything related to discipline. Have you read BGIF's e-mails in support of Leach? I've only seen one public opinion relative to a player trashing Leach, some DT in the same frame of mind as James Jr.. I'll bet they are friends or room together. Maybe they have "slumber parties" together. Nonetheless, as I had aforementioned earlier, bad attitudes are contagious. I wouldn't doubt this to have been exaccerbated sometime ago around Carter's suspension. It probably all stems to Leach's contract negotiations in which he won big money the school didn't want to pay out.

The bottom line is this: Sometimes schools don't want the best programs. They want to remain in control and in charge of their towns. Texas Tech chancellors and presidents as well as other numerous staff have strong political ties to "who's who" in their town. When some rich oilfield guy invites Leach to a cool kid party they weren't invited to because Leach and them don't get along, well then guess what. The balance of power is shifting. And the narcissism thing was probably present, on numerous fronts relative to decision making personnel.

I will say this. Leach wasn't a good soldier. Neither were his players, ultimately. We all answer to someone.

 

[johnnykillz]

couldn't agree more....however, putting someone in solitary confinement is just a little too Gitmo for the Big 12, no???

More Gitmo. Less kittys. Copy that?

 

[kmoose]

1. They did show the "space" on ESPN today and it was anything but a garage. Much like the space I have in my backyard. Not very big, aluminum building where I store a mower and some of the kids toys.

2. Holy crap....the more you post, the more you come off as Jeffrey Dahmer.

3. So what you're saying is that a parent, regardless of the circumstances should tow the company line and let these a-holes abuse their kids? If things are as TT's assistant coach says they are....Young James had spouted off about coaching and such.....when did solitary confinement become the punishment of choice versus running til you puke??? I'm quite certain that Sr. James wouldn't have had a problem with that as he's old school football, but to suggest locking one's son/daughter up in a black room for 3 hours because he was complaining of "concussion type" symptoms is absolutely crossing the line and that A$$ Wipe Leach deserves everything he gets.

1. Sorry, I didn't see it.

2. So stating the obvious about parents' interactions with their children is now a trait associated with Jeffrey Dahlmer? I didn't get that memo.

3. I'm not saying that anyone should tow the company line. I'm just saying that I question the elder James' motives for coming forth with this. And, if I question his motives, then I am compelled (by myself) to treat his "facts" with a more critical eye than I would if I thought his intentions were more noble.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I'm actually certain Sr. James would have had a problem with anything related to discipline. Have you read BGIF's e-mails in support of Leach? I've only seen one public opinion relative to a player trashing Leach, some DT in the same frame of mind as James Jr.. I'll bet they are friends or room together. Maybe they have "slumber parties" together. Nonetheless, as I had aforementioned earlier, bad attitudes are contagious. I wouldn't doubt this to have been exaccerbated sometime ago around Carter's suspension. It probably all stems to Leach's contract negotiations in which he won big money the school didn't want to pay out.

The bottom line is this: Sometimes schools don't want the best programs. They want to remain in control and in charge of their towns. Texas Tech chancellors and presidents as well as other numerous staff have strong political ties to "who's who" in their town. When some rich oilfield guy invites Leach to a cool kid party they weren't invited to because Leach and them don't get along, well then guess what. The balance of power is shifting. And the narcissism thing was probably present, on numerous fronts relative to decision making personnel.

I will say this. Leach wasn't a good soldier. Neither were his players, ultimately. We all answer to someone.

"I'm actually certain Sr. James would have had a problem with anything related to discipline."

How can you say that???? Have you asked SR. himself? I don't give a damn what the public opinion is about it....the only ones that matter are the ones that belong to the student in question, James Sr. and Leach....and all "WE" have to go on is what Leach has already done.

 

[johnnykillz]

I'm just saying that I question the elder James' motives for coming forth with this. And, if I question his motives, then I am compelled (by myself) to treat his "facts" with a more critical eye than I would if I thought his intentions were more noble.

In your life, how many successful parents with good old fashioned work ethic and charisma overprotect and shelter their offspring? Sr. James is flawed in his parenting of a son. You would nirture a daughter in our society more like this rather than a son, in my humble opinion. But I've seen it time and time again. Great kings of the past lost entire empires to spoiled rotten sons in succession to the throne. Here is just another example as to how not to raise a child; nay, an adult son...

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

1. Sorry, I didn't see it.

2. So stating the obvious about parents' interactions with their children is now a trait associated with Jeffrey Dahlmer? I didn't get that memo.

3. I'm not saying that anyone should tow the company line. I'm just saying that I question the elder James' motives for coming forth with this. And, if I question his motives, then I am compelled (by myself) to treat his "facts" with a more critical eye than I would if I thought his intentions were more noble.

3. Well, let's take it from the other side....What were Leach's motives for locking a kid in a "box" for 3 hours in pitch black......Are we back in Vietnam??? Was this kid a flight risk????

 

[johnnykillz]

How can you say that???? Have you asked SR. himself? I don't give a damn what the public opinion is about it....the only ones that matter are the ones that belong to the student in question, James Sr. and Leach....and all "WE" have to go on is what Leach has already done.

Good sir. Do know I respect your opinion. Here though, since you asked, my opinion:

First and foremost of all, I typed it, to be real technical. My experience, that is situational awareness relative to situations like this, based on what the media has released is all I have to go off of. I have had to bear witness to like scenarios in which coaches have to walk an imaginary line due to high profile father and kids playing sports. I have also seen town athletics crumble when a coach doesn't play political kids and they seek wins rather than popularity. In the end, politicians only want their decisions respected, not winning teams. If you live in a town that doesn't care about winning, then you live in a town that cares about politics and span of control.

Of course, this isn't the exact lines in our headlined and presented debate. I do feel though, this to be of the most relevant information I personally have to draw my opinion from. Copy that? Less kittys, more Gitmo, over.

 

[johnnykillz]

3. Well, let's take it from the other side....What were Leach's motives for locking a kid in a "box" for 3 hours in pitch black......Are we back in Vietnam??? Was this kid a flight risk????

You so give away your political affilliations. LOL!

Are putting kids in the corner or in timeout against your ethics? Are you a social worker? I have to know before I divulge any of my "spare the rod, spoil the child" disciplinary tactics... <---- (Joke, please don't misconstrue as flame-like)

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Good sir. Do know I respect your opinion. Here though, since you asked, my opinion:

First and foremost of all, I typed it, to be real technical. My experience, that is situational awareness relative to situations like this, based on what the media has released is all I have to go off of. I have had to bear witness to like scenarios in which coaches have to walk an imaginary line due to high profile father and kids playing sports. I have also seen town athletics crumble when a coach doesn't play political kids and they seek wins rather than popularity. In the end, politicians only want their decisions respected, not winning teams. If you live in a town that doesn't care about winning, then you live in a town that cares about politics and span of control.

Of course, this isn't the exact lines in our headlined and presented debate. I do feel though, this to be of the most relevant information I personally have to draw my opinion from. Copy that? Less kittys, more Gitmo, over.

I understand and appreciate your stance....however, let the "kitty" run until he pukes....and then run him a bit more.... Save Gitmo for the mower and bags.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

You so give away your political affilliations. LOL!

Are putting kids in the corner or in timeout against your ethics? Are you a social worker? I have to know before I divulge any of my "spare the rod, spoil the child" disciplinary tactics... <---- (Joke, please don't misconstrue as flame-like)

I'll shoot you a pm about this.

 

[johnnykillz]

Copy that, party is over, over...

 

[JefMaj]

Just my opinion and I have no inside info... kid was lame... his dad was gifted with getting him in a Dive 1 school... and he didn't want to do the work... he mentioned that he had a cuncussion after the fact - by three days - his team mates said he was conceited, lazy, and spoiled... imo: if he stays on his scholarship.... there's gonna be plenty of mental abuse and a if you think Jimmy got sucker punched... this kids in for a long road to go in Lubbuck.... No other coach will take this kid... and who doesn't think Craig isn't an ass-hat????

 

[NDinL.A.]

Yeah, I'm on TT's side fellas (not a very popular side). If you have followed Leach's career, the guy is a moron. Not in the football sense, but in the relations sense. He's had a cantankerous relationship with TT, stemming from many incidents and just the overall way he went about his business. Even signing a contract extension brought all sorts of drama.

Now, think about it. You have a kid with a concussion, or concussion-like symptoms (and I don't buy this 'he told them 3 days later' crap. if they didn't know, then why put him in a dark room to combat those symptons???). Not only that, but the kid has a dad who is a public figure in a high profile position in the MECCA OF THE SPORTSWORLD! And knowing all this, that you're already in hot water, that the kid is soft, and that his dad friggin works for ESPN, you're gonna lock his kid in a makeshift room....TWICE??? WTF?

See, we can argue that what he did was right or wrong until we're blue in the face (I think he was wrong; there's way better ways to punish/discipline a kid; and if you did it for concussions purposes, there's way better ways to handle those situations as well). BUt my point is that Mike Leach IS AN IDIOT! You simply don't do those types of things in this day and age, considering that he was already on thin ice and the kid's dad is on TV. It was pure stupidity.

And for further stupidity, he didn't cooperate at all with the investigation! Of course, this is according to TT, and Leah says they are lying, but judging from this guy's previous outbursts, I tend to believe that he was difficult and defiant in dealing with them.

I think we can all agree that the timing of it was dubious, considering how much he was about to make had he not been fired TODAY. But Mike Leach needs to look in the mirror here. He made a kid who coaches claim is soft and lazy sit in a dark room like a prisoner for hours 2 different times, knowing full well who the kid's father was. That's just stupidity my friends. Like HTMI said, make him do laps til he pukes, or send the little brat to his dorm and hold him out of the game, or do what Pete Carroll does (nothing), but don't do what you did. That's on you Leachy boy...

 

[BGIF]

... He made a kid who coaches claim is soft and lazy sit in a dark room like a prisoner for hours 2 different times, knowing full well who the kid's father was. That's just stupidity my friends. Like HTMI said, make him do laps til he pukes,...

Got all your information from ESPN reports didn't you?

As for HMTI or whomever "make him do laps til he pukes" is a good way to take someone with a concussion (IF they have a concussion) a whole lot sicker. A coach knowingly "running" a player with a concussion should be banned permanently.

It's the wee hours on Thursday ESPN is still running "their story". I saw a clip of the "sheds" shot by Adam James on his cell phone.

Strange thing is there's a U-Tube video available that was posted on internet apparenly at about 11:30 am on Wednesday, that's about 18 hours ago. The clip is an NBC 11, I believe in Lubbock doing a live newscast. They have a clip that they took on the two structures Adam James was in. The first is a portable garage about 10' wide by 20 feet long and 8 to 10' high there a gable roof with storage above the main space. The second is described as a media room used for coach interviews. Note the Texas Tech ATT backdrop in the background.

Leach's lawyer gives a description of a doctor's and trainer's participation in the episode.

It's interesting to note that while ESPN has shown the amateur camera video taken by Adam James to substantiate his claim over and over again in the last 18 hours they have yet to show the professional video taken by an NBC crew at the scene.

Watch for yourself:


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[BGIF]

I looked Adam James up on google.

According to the Texas Tech 2009 Roster he's listed as a red shirt sophomoe at 6-3, 217. Not exactly the image of a first grader getting locked in a closet by the sinister schoolmaster.

He'll also be 22 in February (born 1988). This isn't a high school kid but man.

I'm of curious how many 22 years old have their parent's write to straighten out their problems. At 21 I was a engineer supervising a design team and a field crew. When my boss chewed my ass out, mom and dad didn't drop a note the CEO.

There have been reports (internet commentary) that Jones was a no talent only on the team because of daddy.

Well his Texas Tech bio from their 2009 media guide lists him catching 32 passes in 2 seasons of play. Not exactly a no talent. The Bio also notes he was a Rivals 3 Star TE in 2007 #32 or #33 if I recall correctly and that he had scholarships from Boston College, Tulsa, and 2 o 3 other Div 1 colleges.

So I went to Rivals to look him up and found - nothing. Nothing on the Texas Tech 2007 commitments. Nothing in the Rivals Ranked TEs of 2007. Nothing under Boston College. Same thing on Scout.com.

Now somewhere else I read that he played baseball his freshman year then came out for the football team and played his redshirt freshman and sophomore season. That would explain why he's not listed on Texas Tech's '07 Committment List but not why he doesn't appear in anybodies 2007 database. Kids that go to Major League Baseball, the Ivy League, and just don't enroll, still have a profile in Rivals and Scout's databases if they were a recruit much less get several offers AND making a Position (TE) List.

An O'Leary resume doesn't make him the victim nor the antagonist in this saga. Just more vagueness in the situation.

 

[BGIF]

Despite the Leach/Adam James who did what is the key issue any more. The key matter know is the TT firing Leach for insubordination. His superiors apparently told him to apologize and he refused. Given the acrimonious salary negotiations last winter between Leach and the AD and the payments TT had upcoming, the James Incident, may have been TT's Line In The Sand. Backs stiffened, a test of wills ensued and blood was spilled all around.


If Leach was insubordinate, TT probably had the grounds to fire him and make it stick. If they don't they're facing a big payout/settlement and they still have a bowl game with no head coach, at least one assistant writing letters to whom it may concern on behalf of his former boss, 5 weeks to National Signing Day, and alumni and season tickets holders screaming.

Fortunately Tommy Tuberville's available.

 

[BGIF]

Firing Mike Leach will hurt Texas Tech more than it helps - Stewart Mandel - SI.com


Long article

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 of 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.​

 

[Maddog77]

It would seem that most of the people who are siding with Mike Leach in this are poo poo'ing the facts.

A team physician diagnosed Adam James with a mild concussion.

Now, with that in mind what would you do with someone with a concussion? Common sense dictates you would send him to somewhere comfortable so he can get healthy because we are talking about a hot button issue of a head injury. A training room would have sufficed just fine in this instance, or even more appropriate would have been his dorm.

I don't care if the kid has/had an attitude. If you don't want him on your team, it's your team. You can pull his scholarship, bench him, whatever you want. You do not punish someone who is injured or hurt, just because they are injured or hurt.

Now, as I said originally I don't think that Mike Leach should have lost his job over this and neither does TT officials if you listen to their interviews. The only person responsible for Mike Leach getting fired is Mike Leach. He will be lucky if the James family does not file a lawsuit against him and I hope they do to be perfectly honest because his type of asshattery can't be tolerated at any level. It's like the Little League coaches and parents getting in fights in the stands over 12 year olds playing baseball, it's gotten out of hand in some regards.

I still believe Mike Leach will have no problem finding a new job after all of this is said and done because as big of a story as this is, it has so far been proven to be an isolated incident and he is obviously a hell of a head football coach.

 

[JefMaj]

The facts about whether he had a concussion before the reprimand/action came to light, or whether he first complain about it 3 days after the fact need to come to light.

He was repeatedly dogged for his attitude... undermining coaches... not performing in practice... he was documented for missing baseball practices and supposedly not showing for games....

I'm not an Adam or Craig fan... Craig comes off as a total ass.... always has... imo...

Adam's place in TT lore will come and be deserved (imo) when TT's record comes to fruition at the end of the 2010 season... they go 7-5 (or worse) and he should spend a lot more time in daddy's condo in Lubbuck than out on the town....

 

[BGIF]

It would seem that most of the people who are siding with Mike Leach in this are poo poo'ing the facts. ...

"Poo poo'ing" what facts. There's largely unsubstantiated innunendo and conjecture out there and people are extrapolating that to sell news but actually there's a paucity of "facts" that have been revealed.

Do you have the Doctor's name that did the examine?

When it was done?

When was the injury sustained? (In a game, practice, or after an ass chewing?)

What was the Doctor's prescribed recovery regimen?

BTW, did it include quiet, isolation, or staying away from bright lights and noises?

After they were made aware of a medical condition, diid the coach(es) follow the doctors directions or did they subject him to physical activity or contact?

 

[NDinL.A.]

BGIF, you missed my main point. My point is that Leach is an idiot. He screwed up, bug time, as he used ZERO common sense throughout this whole ordeal.

His problem is that he refused to play politics. Well guess what, in his position, you MUST play politics. Look, I'm a 5th grade teacher in a no-profile school, and even I have to play politics with parents. I know if I discipline certain kids certain ways, I'll hear it from the parents. Most of the times I don't care, but with some instances, I know that a certain spoiled brat will go running to mommy if I discipline them a certain way, so I find another way to do it. It makes my job a whole lot easier, and it's part of the game. The kid doesn't get away with their actions at all, but I do play the political game so I don't have to have a one hour meeting with some spoiled brat's parents.

Now, Leach knew who the dad was, he knew that this kid was a softy, and he had to know that this particular form of punishment wouldn't fly with a spoiled softy. But he did it anyways. That's not a smart move. If he had suspended him, kicked him off the team, banished him to his dorm room, anything BUT banish him to a room for hours, then he'd still have his job right now.

And to make matters worse, he wouldn't even just suck it up and apologize! Let's say his principals tell him that he wouldn't apologize for something he didn't feel was bad. Well, that's fine, but then don't sue when your ass gets fired! He acted like an ass to his superiors, wouldn't play politics, and that's why he is out of a job.

Think about how great of a coach he is, and then think about what school he is at. All the job openings every single year, all of the chances to upgrade (UCLA, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, etc), and he was still stuck at TT??? With his resume? There's a reason for that...he's an asshole who rubs a lot of people the wrong way. Even after having one of the all-time great seasons last year at TT, he barely could get an extension signed without being strangled by the AD!

Like I said, this one is on Leach IMO, because he simply wouldn't play politics. Good for him for being his own man, but the last person complaining this morning about it should be him...

 

[BGIF]

BGIF, you missed my main point. My point is that Leach is an idiot. He screwed up, bug time, as he used ZERO common sense throughout this whole ordeal ...

Actually I only commented on your post in passing about "facts" and puking.

In a subsequent post I mentioned that this really isn't about Adam James. It stems from the relationship between Leach and the AD and goes back at least to last winter's salary negotiations.

I understand your comments about politics and bending with the breeze but don't accept the comparision of a 5th grade teacher (and 5th grade teacher's salary muscle) major head coach (with a $12.7 million compensation package). A major football program head coach is a revenue producer. Teacher's aren't.

 

[BGIF]

Mike Leach says Texas Tech dealing in lies, promises legal action - Associated Press - College Football - Sporting News

12/30/09

"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."

 

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Payback?

Payback?

James Gang helps Texas Tech get revenge on Leach - Matt Hayes - College Football - Sporting News

12/30/09 Matt Hayes

... 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:

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 <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_8_0>receiver </NOBR>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 <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_11_0>baseball </NOBR>coach.
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.