Mike Leach Update
ESPN.com: Texas Tech fired coach Mike Leach on Wednesday, two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of a player with a concussion.
“I’m very sad to say there’s only one person to blame for this and it’s Mike Leach,” Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance told The Associated Press.
Leach directed the Red Raiders to bowl games in each of his 10 seasons coaching there.
Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the university system’s board of regents, said “other things” came to light during an investigation of Leach’s treatment of receiver Adam James. Turner declined to elaborate about the other issues.
See Adam James Video Here
Later, in a telephone interview with ESPN’s Rece Davis, Hance said: “I like him and I wanted him to be my coach, but insubordination and this type of activity just cannot be permitted.”
Texas Tech has no coach, Mike Leach has no job and Adam James has a locker room to win back over. There are no winners here. Read more here
Leach was in San Antonio with his team, which is preparing for the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State on Saturday, when he learned of his firing. Later Wednesday, he issued a statement to the media.
“During spring training in late March, Leach had demoted wide receiver Edward Britton for failure to regularly attend class and maintain good grades. Leach ordered Britton to study at a desk at midfield in 30-degree weather, albeit in a heavy coat”
Saying he was proud of turning the program around and upping the school’s graduation rate, Leach then blasted groups related to the university.
“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,” the statement read. “These lies have led to my firing [Wednesday]. 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. Read full story here
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Former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach released the following statement Wednesday night about his firing: “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.
Leach enters Woody Hates’ league as attitudes shift!
Texas Tech’s quirky Leach and Ohio State’s combustible Hayes now are forever linked, fired by their schools for, in effect, bullying a player.Leach’s legion of supporters will say that his alleged closeting of injured Tech receiver Adam James in a “shed” falls well short of Hayes’ punch to the throat of Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman during the 1978 Gator Bowl. Read full story here
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