Associated Press: A Texas Techathletic trainertold university officials he did not agree with Mike Leach’s treatment of receiver Adam James after the player was diagnosed with a concussion.
In an affidavit released Saturday by the university, Texas Tech trainer Steve Pincock said he told James he was “sorry” for having placed the player inside an equipment shed near the practice field.
“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,” the statement made by a source at the university.
Mike Leach Statement
When I arrived at Texas Tech, the football program was on NCAAprobation 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 12Conference, and has the highest graduation rate for football players of any public institution in the country. Read full statement here
On Dec. 21, Pincock spoke with Tech officials, telling them that he did not agree with that “form of treatment for anyone” and that Leach “wanted James to be uncomfortable.”
In an interview a day later, team physician Dr. Michael Phy told university officials that James “may not have been harmed” but he “considered this practice inappropriate.”
The affidavits were dated Jan. 1.
Leach was fired as Texas Tech on Wednesday, two days after he was suspended by the university while it investigated James’ allegations for mistreatment.
Reuters.com: Zorn, who had one year left on his contract, was 12-20 during his two years with the Redskins.
James is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Craig James.
On Friday, Leach denied he mistreated Adam James and said Craig James lobbied frequently to get his son more playing time. Leach said the elder James meddled “more than any parent I’ve dealt with my entire career.” Read full story here
Jesse Craig “Pony” James born January 2, 1961 in Jacksonville, Texas. James is an sports commentator for ABC and ESPN andtelevision networks. Prior to becoming a sportscaster, James was a professional football player for the New England Patriots of the NFL and for the Washington FederalsUnited States Football League.
He now lives in Celina, Texas with his wife Marilyn and their four children. His brother Chris was a Major League Baseball player from 1986 through 1995. His son Adam is a redshirt sophomore receiver for Texas Tech.
Adam James was the center of the controversy that resulted in Texas Tech suspending, and later firing, head football coach Mike Leach shortly before the 2010 Alamo Bowl. Leach allegedly had James twice stand in a shed for two hours during practice because Leach believed the player to be faking a concussion. In light of the allegations, ESPN removed Craig James from announcing the Alamo Bowl with Mike Patrick.
Leach directed the Red Raiders to bowl games in each of his 10 seasons coaching there. Read full story here
Tech receiver Tramain Swindall said he supported the decision to fire Leach.
Jim Zorn Fired!
Zorn, 56, was expected to be replaced by former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in the next few days, the Washington Post reported, citing team officials. Read full story here
Highlights: Tennessee upsets Kentucky Montario Hardesty score the winning touchdown in overtime. Final score Vols 30 – Wildcats 24! The winning streak continues!
GoVolsXtra:A crowd of 70,981 rolled into Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington Kentucky on Saturday night, most dressed in blue and desperately hoping to see the streak end. It didn’t.
Quarterback: Jonathan Crompton got off to a rocky start with an ugly interception that was returned for a touchdown, but he rallied with a strong throw on his next attempt and finished with a memorable overtime completion to Gerald Jones. He went 13-for-23 for 220 yards and a score. Read more at govolsxtra.com
But when Montario Hardesty ended the game with a 20-yard touchdown run in the first overtime period, both sides were talking about anything but the longest winning streak in a major college football rivalry.
USC tailbackStafon Johnson is doing well and his athletic fitness helped him pull through a serious weightlifting accident that required more than seven hours of throat surgery, a trauma expert said today on Monday.
Dr. Gudata Hinika, trauma director at California Hospital Medical Center, said during a news conference that Johnson was communicating nonverbally with family, friends and teammates while being weaned from a ventilator.
“His spirit is very good,” Hinika said.
Johnson was injured Monday when a bar fell on his neck during a weightlifting session at USC.
Hinika said Johnson underwent an emergency tracheotomy when he arrived at the hospital by ambulance. Surgeons then began reconstructive procedures.
“Had that been any one of us, meaning me, I would not have survived,” Hinika said. “His neck was so solid and so muscular, that actually helped maintain his airway.
“And the discipline one learns from being athletic also really helped him to calm down and just do what he needed to do. He took instruction very well. All those in combination … contributed to his outcome.”
Hinika said it was rare injury, especially for weightlifting. Read full story here
“It was an unfortunate accident, and Stafon is getting great care right now,” coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. “We don’t have a lot of information at this point, and we’ll keep everyone updated, but our thoughts and prayers are with Stafon.”
Johnson is the Trojans’ second-leading rusher with 157 yards, and he leads USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac-10) with five touchdowns. He led USC in rushing last season with 705 yards and nine touchdowns, but has evolved into the Trojans’ short-yardage specialist this season behind starter Joe McKnight.
Head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle said Johnson was using a spotter when the accident occurred.
“I’ve seen players have the bar slip and fall onto their chest, but never in my 25 years of coaching have I heard of someone dropping a bar on their throat,” Carlisle said. “We’re fortunate he was being spotted.” Read more here
Highlights: Three University of Florida player ill and were flown to Kentucky on a separate plane: Tim Tebow, Major Wright and Joe Haden!
Riley Cooper, a senior and one of Florida’s most reliable receivers, was on the same extra plane that transported ill Gator players Tim Tebow, Joe Haden and Major Wright to Lexington for today’s 6 p.m. game against Kentucky.
Cooper is Tebow’s roommate and is also ill, although details were not immediately available. Cooper, like Tebow, has respiratory problems, not the flu.
According to ESPN.com’s Chris Low, and citing unnamed sources, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, safety Major Wright and cornerback Joe Haden are suffering from a respiratory-related illness and not the flu as has been previously been reported.The report did offer further reports. Read more here
Relative strengths: Quarterback, Linebacker Relative weaknesses: Offensive Line, Running Back What to watch for on offense: The I-formation?! New offensive coordinator Steve Addazio was experimenting this offseason in an attempt to add a few more wrinkles to the equation. Read more here
