LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Texas Tech fired coach Mike Leach on Wednesday, just two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of a player with a concussion.
The school handed a termination letter to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, just minutes before the two sides were to appear in a Lubbock, Texas, courtroom for a hearing on the coach's suspension.
Liggett said the letter said Leach was "terminated with cause effective immediately."
In February, Leach and the school agreed to a five-year, $12.7 million contract. According to terms of the deal, Leach was due a $800,000 bonus on Dec. 31 if he were still the head coach at Texas Tech.
Leach was suspended by the university on Monday after receiver Adam James alleged the coach twice confined him to small, dark spaces while the practiced.
James is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Craig James.
Texas Tech plays Michigan State on Saturday in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
Tech is the second Big 12 school to launch an internal investigation into a coach's treatment of his players.
On Nov. 16, Kansas investigated Mark Mangino, who got a big raise after he was national coach of the year and went 12-1 in 2007. Some players said he was insensitive, though others defended him.
Mangino resigned Dec. 3 after reaching a settlement with the school that was later disclosed as a $3 million buyout.
In an affidavit included in Tuesday's court filing, Leach said he "would never intentionally harm or endanger a player" and that he has been "forced into this situation without being afforded any process." He also said "absolutely" no evidence had been given to him that showed he had violated any university rules or standards.
What i dont get is if the doctor said he couldnt practice, why would Leach punish the kid. I mean the doctor said no practice, I mean why would you make him go to a closet for hours with no chair.
What i dont get is if the doctor said he couldnt practice, why would Leach punish the kid. I mean the doctor said no practice, I mean why would you make him go to a closet for hours with no chair.
I dont understand why Leach would do that
Because Leach was being a jerk.
If being a jerk is now a firing offense, 99 percent of all college coaches will have to be fired.
Leach should have been reprimanded. That's it. This is all about Craig James' throwing his weight around. Texas Tech will regret this day.
By the way, Texas Tech is the same school that HIRED Bobby Knight after he whacked a few players.
We have become a society of pansies when coaches aren't allowed to get mean with players. Al McGuire slugged a player at halftime of Marquette's national championship victory and they made him a folk hero. Now, if a guy is sent to the corner he gets fired.
Bear Bryant wouldn't last three weeks in this atmosphere.
If being a jerk is now a firing offense, 99 percent of all college coaches will have to be fired.
Leach should have been reprimanded. That's it. This is all about Craig James' throwing his weight around. Texas Tech will regret this day.
By the way, Texas Tech is the same school that HIRED Bobby Knight after he whacked a few players.
We have become a society of pansies when coaches aren't allowed to get mean with players. Al McGuire slugged a player at halftime of Marquette's national championship victory and they made him a folk hero. Now, if a guy is sent to the corner he gets fired.
Bear Bryant wouldn't last three weeks in this atmosphere.
I agree with your statement that he shouldnt be fired, I dont think what he did was so awful, but what i dont get is why even do it.
I mean the kid had a concussion, the Doctor told him to not practice and stay out of light. If I was a coach I would just tell him he didnt have to attend practice.
I guess what my point is, why pick on the kid and try and humiliate him, not his fault he had a concussion. Thats all i have to say, i just dont get being mean to someone who is injured.
Yeah do you remember when we were kids and our parents left us in the car all the time in the summer and it did not hurt us. Now you can get in trouble for that......
guess who we can blame for the shit our country is in???????????
I agree with your statement that he shouldnt be fired, I dont think what he did was so awful, but what i dont get is why even do it.
I mean the kid had a concussion, the Doctor told him to not practice and stay out of light. If I was a coach I would just tell him he didnt have to attend practice.
I guess what my point is, why pick on the kid and try and humiliate him, not his fault he had a concussion. Thats all i have to say, i just dont get being mean to someone who is injured.
JC
I'm not saying Leach wasn't being a jerk with Craig James' son. I'm saying being a jerk is hardly any reason to fire a winning coach.
If Texas Tech wants a nice sensitive coach, Lovie Smith may be available soon.
Mangino, Leach, who's next? Real men need not apply.
I'm not saying Leach wasn't being a jerk with Craig James' son. I'm saying being a jerk is hardly any reason to fire a winning coach.
If Texas Tech wants a nice sensitive coach, Lovie Smith may be available soon.
Mangino, Leach, who's next? Real men need not apply.
I understand what you are saying Gris, I do, I was just curious if anyone had any knowledge of why Leach did what he did.
Hell maybe the kid is a spoiled little POS and Leach didnt care for him because his Daddy got him a scholarship at TT.
I do agree that he shouldnt have been fired for it, and TT will not find a better coach than him. I was hoping that Louisville would go after him after they fired Kragthorpe. But I am happy with Charlie Strong(for now)
Leach would have been a perfect fit at Louisville given its history of explosive offenses.
I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes an offensive coordinator for a year to rehab his image.
I don't know, being an abuser is a tag that will stick with him for a long time. There are other things that I think will come out about him. I think his next best step will be in the Pros....
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