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How To Dick Over Your Fans By The Texas Tech Administration
In trying to show your disdain for a person or group of people, there are certain levels you can strive for in order to convey your level of contempt for them:
First Level: Stop sending birthday cards and such.
Second Level: Cold demeanor when in their presence.
Third Level: Stop reaching out all together. No more emails or calls.
Fourth Level: Defriend them on facebook.
Fifth Level: Try to convince others to defriend them as well.
Sixth Level: The finger. Just flip them the bird.
Seventh Level: Sucker punch.
Eighth Level: Set fire to their cars, slaughter their pets trash their belongings. Try to do all you can to ruin their lives.
Ninth Level: Do what the Texas Tech Administration did to its fans with the firing of Mike Leach.
Here’s how it all went down, with plenty of speculation and jokes along the way from a fan’s perspective(after the break):
(If any parts of this are considered libel, then those parts are all for satire, so don’t sue me.)
1982 Craig James leaves the SMU Mustangs.
Spring 1987 SMU Receives the “Death Penalty” for making illegal contributions to athletes on the team James was a part of. Its unclear whether or not James received any payment. Also cannot find anywhere on the web that James has any remorse or regret over what happened to SMU. Obviously elated at having destroyed his Alma Mater, James and his wife spent a long romantic weekend away.
About Nine Months Later Conceived out of joy from wrecking the SMU program, which is just now recovering, was Adam James, who would later follow in his father’s legacy:
2000 Mike Leach begins his coaching tenure at Texas Tech. In the years prior to Leach’s arrival, Texas Tech was one of those schools that better schools scheduled to get an easy win. Peyton Manning’s Tennessee Volunteers obliterated Tech in the 1997 season when I first arrived there. Penn State? Happy to schedule us! When Leach arrived, we had Ohio State, Mississippi, NC State all on our upcoming slate. They were also-rans without an identity. The team was under probation for recruiting violations. Their graduation rates were some of the worst in the country. Then came Mike Leach. He installed a radical Air Assault offense that smashed Texas Tech, Big XII and National passing records. From Texas Tech’s Mike Leach Bio:
Arguably one of the most innovative coaches in the country, Mike Leach not only has transformed Texas Tech Football, but also the face of college football with an all-out aerial assault.
… Leach, who received three national coach of the year awards in 2008 - the Woody Hayes Award, Howie Long/Fieldturf Coach of the Year, and George Munger Award …
The Texas Tech program has established itself as one of the nation’s leading producers of productive quarterbacks since the 2000 season.
The last nine seasons rank as the top nine all-time at Tech in total offense, while scoring went from 23 points per game in 1999 to a school-record 43.8 points last season.
Texas Tech boasted the 8th best graduation rate amongst its players at the end of Leach’s tenure (79% as opposed to 50% by Mack Brown and 46% by Bob Stoops). When Tech’s kicking situation got bad, Leach signed up the kid who just kicked a field goal at a half time contest to win a month’s free rent.
And the student body loved him. They loved his easy going demeanor, unique style of play that gained and his sharp wit:
For a school that had always had a “Hey Look at us!” complex, they finally had their champion that made people’s eyes drift towards West Texas. Leach had a distinct disdain for being PC or “playing the game”. He was distinctly different from the “Good Ole Boys” club that was the identity of Texas Tech Football prior to 2000. And fans loved that rebellious element to him. Leach made Texas Tech Football a prime time attraction and his love of pirates led to a new fashion wave that washed over Jones Stadium in Lubbock:
And all was well. The team was winning. The fans were happy. They had identity and success. Alumni donations and revenue from the football program were at record highs. Who knew there was trouble brewing…
2006 Adam James had come of age. It was that special time in a young man’s life, when he graduates from high school and decides which college he is going to obliterate. Craig and Adam James carefully weigh his collegiate options. Its not every day you get to destroy a college football program.
“Hmmm. What about The University of Texas?”
“UT has already been paying their players for years and nobody cared. Texas A&M?”
“Aw, come on. Its hard enough being an Aggie. And no way we could do that to SMU again. You’re too dumb to get into Rice or Baylor. Some little upstart. Someone with impassioned fans. Someone who has one singular thing, if you took it down, it would take down all of their fans…” Light bulb goes off. They say in unison: “Texas Tech!”
November 1, 2008 Texas Tech reaches the highest point ever in the history of its program:
While undefeated and ranked #8 in the country… Texas Tech knocks off #1 Texas in a miracle finish in one of the greatest games college football has ever seen. Tech rises to #2 in the rankings. Their histest ranking ever.
Adam James didn’t catch the winning pass.
November 2, 2008 Craig James places a phone call to Adam James: “Its time.”
After 2008 Season Contract extension talks begin between Texas Tech and Mike Leach. Administration tries to low ball Leach. Leach shoots high. When they seem at an impasse, public support falls heavily on Leach’s side.
The Good Ole Boy network is having fits and leaked emails show they want to make it easy to fire him in this contract.
While the Athletic Director Gerald Myers is failing to budge, Leach takes his case to University Chancellor, Kent Hance. Leach emerges with a generous contract keeping him through 2013. Fans rejoice. Among the clauses in the contract is a bonus of $800,000 that kicks in if Leach is still employed December 31, 2009.
2009 Football Season Early season, close road losses to Texas and the University of Houston have caused some tension in the lockerroom at Tech. Lineman Brandon Carter was suspended after making disparaging remarks on Twitter following the UH loss.
Meanwhile Adam James’ playing time has decreased as a result of his lackadaisical attitude and effort. Craig James was then described as “meddl[ing] more than any parent he’s ever come across.” Adam James and the coaching staff butt heads several times.
The season ends with Texas Tech 8-4 with close road losses to UT, UH and Oklahoma State. The other loss was an embarrassing home shellacking by Texas A&M. Texas Tech accepts an invite to the Alamo Bowl.
December 16th, 2009 Adam James suffers a concussion. Its never stated how and where the concussion was incurred, but rumors floating around say he suffered it during a bar fight. But this has not been confirmed or denied.
December 17, 2009 Doctors diagnose James with a concussion. James was told not to practice. He shows up at practice wearing street clothes and sunglasses and was to walk around the track (which is standard practice for players with injuries of this sort). Wearing sunglasses at practice was generally not accepted. When asked, James said he had a sensitivity to light. At this point, Leach told the trainer, Steve Pinock, to place James in the “darkest place.” Its never been said that Leach ever said to place James in an electrical closet or any place specifically at all. Just in the darkest place. When you have the sense of humor that Leach has and someone you dislike comes in saying that they have a sensitivity to light, that’s something you would say. Leach and trainers stated that James was placed in the training shed. Its as big as a two car garage. A trainer was assigned to go in and check on James every 15 minutes claimed initial reports.
December 18, 2009 Evil and corrupt Mike Leach then has James placed in the Media Room!!! Legions of reporters are set to sue Texas Tech at a later time for being forced to remain in that room for post game interviews. Pinock initially stated that he came in and saw James messing around in the tiny electrical closet and told him to get out. The rumor is that this is when James shot his infamous cell phone video from inside the electrical closet. At no point was James ever enforced to stand up for the entirety of practice according to Pinock.
This all comes from the INITIAL statement from Steve Pinock seen here.
December (Date Unclear), 2009 Mike Leach graduated from Law School in 1986. The Good Ole Boys club worked up a document and brought Leach in to sign it that outlined . The “trust us, just sign it” method failed to work on the only NCAA coach with a law degree.
(Speculation)December 2009 After Pinock’s initial statement refuting Adam James’ accounts and supporting Mike Leach, Pinock is sat down by university officials.
“We need you to sign an official affidavit that has your statement about the events.”
“OK. I’ll type one up.”
“Don’t worry, Steve. We did it for you!”
“Uhm… this isn’t how it happened or what I already said. Everyone will see this as silly and that I was pressured from you guys to change my story.”
“What’s that? Oh! We’re getting a call from the head trainer at UT! He wants to come be our trainer!”
“I’m not a complete retard. That’s not the head trainer from UT. The phone didn’t even ring. I think it might even be a Fisher Price play phone.”
“You’re right. We don’t have a phone in here. But we do have lots of fields out here in Lubbock. And you know that smell when the wind turns? That’s manure. We have lots of it here. Its enough to bury thirty trainers in it.”
Pinock looks around the office scared.
“And if you don’t sign this affidavit… we’ll tell everyone you let one rips when that smell comes around. And people will make fun of you. They’ll call you Steve PoopyPants. And you’ll cry.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, shut up! I’ll sign the damn thing if you stop talking. No wonder Leach was able to run circles around you guys during contract negotiations.”
Short Time Later Texas Tech releases this statement from Pinock saying he disagreed with Leach’s treatment of Adam James.
December 29, 2009 The Good Ole Boy network suspends Mike Leach from coaching in the Alamo Bowl while they investigate the incident. The wind turned and no one blamed it on Steve Pinock.
Mike Leach files an injunction to allow him to coach in the Alamo Bowl. Tech officials called it “suing your boss”. Normal people call it “God damn it, get the hell out of my way and let me do my job, ass monkey.”
A flood of emails pour in from former and current players and colleagues. They all validate the clean and respectable nature of Leach’s treatment of players and clean way he ran his program.
December 30, 2009 Just before the injunction hearing, Mike Leach’s attorney is informed that no matter the ruling, he is out as Texas Tech’s head pirate.
December 31, 2009 Mike Leach is due $800,000 is still Texas Tech’s head coach. Very lucky timing on Tech’s part to fire him just before this kicks in. I mean, the two couldn’t at all be correlated.
January 2, 2009 Texas Tech squeaks out a victory over half of the Michigan State Spartans. They hope this calms the masses.
It hasn’t.
Upon the release of Mike Leach, Texas Tech released a statement. Knowing all that we know, let’s read between the lines:
After reviewing all the information available, Texas Tech University has decided that the best course of action for the university and its football program is to terminate its relationship with Head Football Coach Mike Leach for cause. The “best” course of action includes firing the winningest coach, risking setting back our program 10 year, alienating our fans and alumni and costing the university millions of dollars in endorsements and alumni contributions. Our football program might be in shambles, but Mike won’t be around to make fun of our Good Ole Boy accents any more!
Texas Tech was prepared to participate in the legal proceeding today on coach Leach’s motion for a temporary restraining order. By prepared, we mean, we were ready to waste everyone’s time in a dog and pony show when we already had our minds made up. His attorney, however, chose to not participate when he was informed that the termination of coach Leach was inevitable. His attorney showed logical judgment, but we’re putting it in here like it was a negative against Mike.
The coach’s termination was precipitated by his treatment of a player after the player was diagnosed with a concussion. The player was put at risk for additional injury. Not like real injury. We’ve never seen an instance of a player with a concussion being told to hang out inside instead of outside worsening their concussion. But its all we have to go on. After the university was apprised of the treatment, Coach Leach was contacted by the administration of the university in an attempt to resolve the problem. We asked him to sign a piece of paper that would let us fire him and keep our money. In a defiant act of insubordination, Coach Leach continually refused to cooperate in a meaningful way to help resolve the complaint. That bastard wouldn’t sign it!! He also refused to obey a suspension order and instead sued Texas Tech University. And he had a real bug up his ass about us defaming his character! Further, his contemporaneous statements make it clear that the coach’s actions against the player were meant to demean, humiliate and punish the player rather than to serve the team’s best interest. Never in the history of football has a player ever been humiliated in practice! This action, along with his continuous acts of insubordination (we can’t name the acts of insubordination, just trust us), resulted in irreconcilable differences that make it impossible for coach Leach to remain at Texas Tech. Did you know he never once bowed before us!
“It is our number one priority to protect the welfare of our students and the reputation of the Texas Tech University. Parents have entrusted us with their children and we take this responsibility very seriously. Or, we really only take it seriously if its an E$PN analysts’ kid. We very much appreciate the leadership shown by the university’s athletic director, Gerald Myers, and president, Guy Bailey, in dealing with this unfortunate situation. We look forward to more 6-5 seasons at the bottom of the Big XII! The board supports their decision, (even though most of them were away when the vote occurred)” said Larry Anders, chairman and Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents. And they followed it up with a big “Up yours” to the students and fans!
In the near future, Texas Tech will undertake a search for a new coach. In the meantime, the focus of the athletic department is on the preparation for the Valero Alamo Bowl. And how to spend our $800,000!
On facebook, TEAM LEACH has grown from 10,000 to 57,000 in just over a week. Fire Gerald Myers has 6,000. A protest is scheduled for Memorial Circle, in the middle of Campus, on January 14, 2010 at 1 PM. So, that’s how one fan view his Alma Mater tearing apart his beloved football team based on the unvalidated story of one prima donna and an unwillingness of a strong willed coach to beg and plead and be subordinate to the Good Ole Boys club.
At the James household, Adam and Craig lean back in their leather recliners. Craig lights a cigar for his son and they pop a bottle of champagne. “So, this is what its like, huh, Dad? This is what its like to live the dream?” “Yes, son. Yes it is. And just think… soon I’m going to run for congress and f*ck up the whole country.”
And even though it is bleak now, we will always carry with us, this Leach attitude:
The Good Ole Boy Network
In case you’re wondering who the Good Ole Boy Network is:
Gerald Myers
The Athletic Director. Former Texas Tech player and Basketball coach. The guy who was unafraid to bring in Bobby Knight who had a history of putting his hands on the kids, being incredibly subordinate and even chased down the Chancellor at a super market. But damn that Mike Leach for not signing his “I’m guilty as hell” document.
TJ Zook reporting:
You see, Gerald Myers is good friends with Bob Knight and gave Knight his second chance. When Knight then choked a kid at a Tech basketball game that he was coaching, Myers went to the rescue. So do not fool yourselves into believing that Myers fired Leach to protect the health and safety of the students who attend Texas Tech. Myers has had his sights on the back of Leach’s head for years, did you know in 2002 he cut off postage to Leach because he “misappropriated” the useage of stamps. No kidding. I guess when it went to 29 cents they had to reevaluate which recruit got a letter… Leach sent too many letters to recruits and Myers cut him off. Myers and Leach had issues the first year Leach showed and it has continued. Myers want to have control of Leach and give permission slips. He actually wanted Leach to ask permission to seek an interview and if he didn’t it would be a fireable offense. Thus the contract issues in early 09. Imagine if your boss said “you are not allowed to look at other opportunities without first asking me for permission, and if you do, I can fire you for it… Now sign this so I can make that lawful”.
Kent Hance
The Chancellor.
Is NOT a fan of cussin’. Despite fighting for Leach last year during the contract negotiations, Hance failed to diffuse this situation when it was a minor blip on the radar. Three phone calls should have solved this problem. FIve minutes tops:
To Leach: “Thanks for complying with our request to no longer lock James in the shed. I’ll take care of it from here.”
To James: “Sorry for any grief this has caused you and your family and promise it will not happen again.”
To Board of Regent: “We are not firing Coach Leach. That would be idiotic. The fans love him, we have the best recruiting class we have ever had coming in and our attendance is at record highs. We’ve had him for 10 years and he’s never had a hint of improper treatment of any player. Tell the other boys I will be at the Good Ole Boys club house after work. I got us new decoder rings!”
But instead, Hance told Leach that they were discussing firing him. The former coach justifiably laid into Hance. Then Hance passed the buck to Myers and Bailey where it escalated. They had the genius idea to have Leach (former lawyer) sign a document that basically said that Leach was in the wrong and could be fired for breaching his contract. I don’t think a 4th grader with no knowledge of contracts would sign that.
Hance said “I’ve never talked to an employer the way he was talking to me, and I’ve never had another employee do that.” Things to note, Hance has never had the skills or job that brought in tens of thousands of people into stands at a football game, been featured on 60 minutes and won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of fans. Hance has stated on multiple occasions that if any employee talked to any boss that way, they would be fired. “You go try that with your employer!”
The above statement is retarded. Completely. 100%. When you become a producer at that level, there are different rules. Jerry Seinfeld in the mid 90’s could have gone into NBC and stole the president’s chair and he would have kept his job. Joe Paterno could go steal the Penn State President’s car and drive it off a cliff and still have his job Monday morning. Christian Bale can cuss out every crew member on a film set and still be paid millions of dollars on his next job. Why? Because as someone who generates incredible revenue for a product or group, you are afforded a degree of leniency that the dude working at Burger King is not afforded. There are different rules for people like Mike Leach. Because he produces.
The function of a football coach is to:
1. Graduate players
2. Win football game
3. Bring in revenue for the school
4. Entertain the students/fans
On all four of those counts, Mike Leach was an incredible success. The year before Mike Leach arrived at Tech, attendance dropped from 25k to 24k. It now sits at around 30k. Donations to the university were at an all time high and attendance at football games has never been higher. So, yes Mike Leach has the right to talk to his employers like that. And you have to determine which is of greater concern: the stellar things Leach brings in for the University & team or protecting your ego and not allowing a subordinate to show you up. You chose to set the University back because you got cussed out.
Jim Sowell
Former regent and Tech booster. LOVED his “If he’s such a hot commodity, then he’d already be gone” statement about Leach in those leaked emails. Why the hell do you support a school if you feel its so low on the Totem pole of football programs? I hope he uses that line on his wife. “Why should I buy you more clothes! You’re so ugly! If you weren’t really ugly, you wouldn’t be with ME!”
Guy Bailey
President.
Best Mike Leach Related Signs
Thank you for writing this. Though, those of us, who believe the actions by this administration was at best unethical, it is nice to have someone echo our thoughts.
Once again,thank you
There are other names, such as the ones mentioned in the emails…Linday Steele?
I’ll look into Steele.
Steele’s just a Chancellor’s Assistant.
Great research! Perfectly framed, summarized and codified for the legions of fans of Mike Leach and Texas Tech football. I’m impressed with the insight, the humor and the information. Glad you put a time-line and some historical perspective to this, Professor Hargrove. A great piece of satirical (but quite serious) writing. This is practically a work of art! I hope Ted Liggett uses much of this in court. I want to see Mike Leach completely exonerated in court. I want him to receive his well-earned $800,000. I want to see that he’s paid every penny owed him in his extended contract. Ultimately, I wish Leach could simply return to Tech as head football coach after apologies from Hance, Bailey and Myers.
Thanks, Dan!
This is so much closer to the truth than anyting we have heard from the Admin. Don’ forget ESPN continuing to run the false allegaions of the Craig family put out by PR firm Spaeth Communications in Dallas. We Tech Team Leach Fans will not forget them either. Long live the Pirate. We loved him at Tech.
Great article. Don’t forget the different versions stated by Riley and team physician. I believe Riley and the team physician were also afraid of the manure piles. And to echo Dan Hanson as well as add my own condition–I want to see that he’s paid every penny owed him in his extended contract. Ultimately, I wish Leach returns to Tech as head football coach and Athletic Director after Hance, Bailey and Myers are fired.
Thanks for your comments guys! I, maybe naively, still hold out hope that he might come back.
Wow, This should be taken up by the AP. I have not been back to Tech since 1998 and seeing the difference is just crazy. Tech ghetto is gone, new buildings and structures have been put up, and the stadium and other athletic facilities have gotten a serious facelift. Then for the football team to be so competetive and have a great graduation rate means that the scholarships these and other student athletes are getting is all worth it. Leach for AD.
Wow! This is great, I too wish this could be taken up by the media. The truth should be told…thank you!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for getting it right and for the humor thrown in. If more folks had the side of the story that ESPN refuses to report, this would all just be a humerous side-note for a few days and then forgotten.
Unfortunately, it’s not all fun and games. A man lost his job. No biggie really for him, he’ll get another one… A team lost it’s coach….it will get another one….But the fans lost an identity that was finally something other than “we’ll get ‘em next year” or “no, it’s not by Dallas”.
As a casual Red Raider fan, I have to say that life in Lubbock will go on. Tech will play homecoming next year. Business will return to usual…and that is unfortunate because the “unusual” has been a lot of fun for the last ten years.
Thanks Coach Leach and may you land square ly on one foot while keeping the other firmly up the Good Ol’ Boys’ ….. well, you know what I mean
Well said, Van
Hee hee! Thanks. I’m still amazed at ESPN’s refusal to cover any of Tech’s mass disapproval before and during the Alamo Bowl; march to the stadium, signs, chants, Team Leach shirts, etc. Quite a challenge for the cameramen!
you did a fantastic job as conveying the sentiments of the 57,000 plus TEam Leach members! Well put my friend!
I am glad and proud that Leach is gone. Not only has Bobby Knight been an embarrasment to the university, Mike Leach has as well. Being a retired coach I speak from the heart. This type of behavior was not even tolerated back in my day much less today. Honestly the trainer is probably the most truthful … they are functionaries, not players in the grand scheme of things.
That said, from a coaches point of view, he was wrong. From a parents point of view, he was wrong. From any point of view, he was wrong.
By the way Garrett, would you have liked it if I were your coach and did this to you?
Coach Leach should forget college….forget the NFL…..and run for the senate against Craig James!!!
LEACH FOR SENATOR!!!
Oh, sad misguided Steve. The trainer is the most truthful. He said that Adam James was lying and Leach did nothing wrong.
Then, wait… week goes by…. Trainer gets talks with the Administration about his career at Tech… the Administration releases an official affidavit from the trainer totally changing his story.
Do I need to read between the lines for you?
Leach has a ten year history without a hint of impropriety with any player. He has never put any player at further risk who had an injury. He turned a program in shambles with a poor graduation rate into (in 2008) the best graduation rate of any public school. I tend to believe the initial reports and the coach with an impeccable record versus the whiny prima donna son of Craig James who has been complaining about playing time all year.
So, Tech has fired William Shakespeare, will hire a tv sitcom writer, and claim that the play will be just as good! Nonsense. They will not even have the same actors, since good actors go where there is a good playwright. Tech football will never be the same.
Great article. You forgot two very important dates though
Dec 2003 - While Craig James was the commentator for the Houston Bowl he stated that Texas Tech football had no class and he would not want his kid to play for this program (paraphrasing of course)
And unknown date in Dec - James family hold a prayer vigil for them to know “the right thing to do”
Give me a break!!!!
Being a diehard hog fan from the SWC days, I have made a point to follow our old Texas foes and have even openly rooted for them against the old Big 8 teams. I really enjoyed watching Leach’s teams and their offensive explosions. I was shocked to hear about his suspension and even more shocked when he was fired. I don’t think he is getting a fair shake from ESPN or the University. To be honest I am amazed the University took the course it did and when you compare it to the firing of Nolan Richardson, the only thing it can be called is stupid. Nolan Richardson made hurtful statements about the people and city of Fayetteville, as well as statements that were to say the least shocking. He dared the school to buy out his contract and when they did, he sued. Texas Tech firing Leach is going to cost the school much more than the contract extension.
The Razorbacks had the fortune to have Alex Mortensen as a quarterback. Although he played very little, his father supported his son and the school. When it became obvious that Alex wasn’t going to play, he asked for permission to transfer but later returned hogs. Chris Mortensen did not use his position at ESPN to meddle and if he has done anything, he has helped players get noticed by his NFL contacts. I think it is ridiculous that ESPN let’s Craig James to even comment on this story in his role as a college football expert.
I have seen the ESPN propaganda machine go after Bobby Petrino after leaving the Falcons with games remaining. I never heard an ill word about Nutt, after he left the student athletes with a bowl game remaining and took a 3 million dollar settlement from the U. of A. They never mentioned how Nutt did an “under the table deal” with Ole’ Miss. He wouldn’t coach the Cotton Bowl ( a mortal sin for an old SWC fan) but asked to attend the Hiesman ceremony to support McFadden. When all along he was just planning a recruiting stunt for Ole’ Miss. While at the same time, almost every analyst an ESPN insulted Petrino every way possible. Told recruits that Petrino they would “regret” having him into their home. Made it a top news story when the one and only recruited player decommited. Never mentioning the transfer of Mallett or the commitments of local players bound for USC.
I apologize for being long winded but the way this is being handled is wrong and with ESPN falling in behind James is questionable at best. I hope you guys do get a good coach, but I don’t think he will be the same caliber as Leach. Besides, Like I said I am a hog fan and I know where ever Craig James raises his ugly head Horton Nesrsta is not far behind.
Finally, someone who can stand up and tell both sides of the story. I appreciate your research and investigation into this story. However, most of all I applaud the fact that you had the courage to write both sides for all to see. Tech fans know that Mike Leach was Tech football, but unfortunately the pirate is gone. Guess Tech football winning and being able to compete is gone.
If anyone wants to know the truth about Leach then quite babbling about admistrative folks……Go to the players themselves! Only they will all know the truth and integrity of Coach Leach! If the administative folks are firing Leach then they should fire everyone in the department! Boy would that cause a manuer storm! Wake up America! Don’t you think that if Leach was such an unacceptable coach some other player would of turn him in years ago! Some people or should I say a certain player should go back home to Daddy so that he can be bottle fed, burped, and his diapers changed. I would of been just as happy with the outcome of the Almo bowl, if our team would of taken the field then took a knee and forfited the game! What in the world are we teaching our college athelets! Are we going to stand up and disagree with corrupted dictators or are we going to take a stand and push for the justice of man who was hired to do a job and a job well done! Being from Odessa, TX HOME of “Friday Night Lights” I love football and understand each coach has a way of teaching their team how to be a TEAM! Give it up you money hungry no good lying bastards and go to the players themselves and ask them what Coach Leach is all about!!! The spirit of the Pirate will live with me forever! ONLY OUR FANS CAN RID THE PARASITES IN OUR CORRUPTED STATE OF AFFAIRS WITHIN THE TEXAS TECH ADMINISTRATIVE DEPT! GO TECH! GET YOUR SWORDS UP!
I hate the fact this all happened, however it did & Leach needs to rape the ttu admin. HARD. Unfortunately the only way to get thru to the admin. is to withhold the money from all programs. gerald myers needs to go away but they won’t do anything about it he has been there so long he has all the dirt since the 50’s and that’s why he’s still around.
This is a very emotional topic for Red Raiders like myself, however, if Tech fans want to prove to the world how solid and smart they are, crucifying James certainly doesn’t show it. None of us know what really happened because none of us were there. We can speculate about it all day long, but I wasn’t there and I don’t think any of you were either. I’m not saying James is right or wrong, I don’t think it is about that. How about showing support for Leach without damning someone else. That takes a lot more effort. I DO think I would like the world to see us make a more intelligent show as fans and not act like the rednecks the rest of the country thinks we are.
Why not “crucify” James? Isn’t that exactly what Tech and the James Gang did to Leach? I am not even a Tech fan but am very glad that this was written. I am a fan of the University of Michigan, and Tech’s “misfiring” of Leach has been an on and off thread at mgoblog since it happened.
That might seem insignificant, but it isn’t. The eyes of the entire sports world are on Tech and how they further mishandle this situation. I hope the people involved are sued by Leach, both collectively and individually. I also hope ESPN fires James for the misuse of his position at ESPN.
This is part of a disturbing trend in which disgruntled students have gotten three head coaches fired this off-season. Basically, if this is allowed to continue, schools now have a way to weasel out of their contracts with their coaches and a way to not have to honor their buyout clauses.
I would be willing to bet that every coach at every D-1 school now has disgruntled students lining up to try and get their coach fired because they are dissatisfied with their playing time. The consequences that the people at Tech do or don’t sustain will be very important in how other schools do business.
Sadly, while Tech, Kansas, and USF haven’t changed the face of the game on the field, they may have changed it off the field if they aren’t exposed and punished for their actions.
Stephen: I really would not care if my coach did something like that to me. In fact, much worse was done to me in HS football. As sensitive as you are, I bet you would cry if someone swore at you.
Great article. James by chance has the same PR firm that Kay Bailey Hutchison uses, Spaeth communications. On the night Leach gave his first interview, Speath uploaded to you tube the “Blair Witch” video of him in a closet. James also has PR News Wire spitting out releases faster than you can say “Fire Myers” to media outlets across the country. On a business note, James with a group purchased the Sam Walton Ranch near Mineral Wells recently, however, no one has been able to verify who the other “partners” were in the purchase. Hance? Sowell? Wonder if this was the “business deal” Leach mentioned his detractors all had together.
Back to Hutchison, she’s been grooming James is she goes to Austin as Gov, he can fill her seat.
Oddly, Hance has a picture in his office of himself with George W Bush. Just a bunch of good ol boy GOP-ers? Hmm. James has no chance if TEAM LEACH turns out to the polls and rallys to keep him out of office.
And of course we can’t forget ESPN which could have like any respectable media group would do, told James, sorry this is happening to you as a Dad but air your dirty laundry elsewhere. But no, they became part of the story.
The whole story makes many people sick including Zack Thomas who today told Tech to shove it and not use his image anymore in advertising etc.
[...] How To Dick Over Your Fans By The Texas Tech Administration Chris Mortensen did not use his position at ESPN to meddle and if he has done anything, he has helped players get noticed by his NFL contacts. I think it is ridiculous that ESPN le… [...]
I think the most important piece of information is the “rumor” about how Adam James really got his concussion. If you search the network, you cant find any information about how he really got the concussion he was diagnosed with. It all makes more sense now. Here’s Adam, a rich lazy kid (whose father constantly used his stature as an E$PN affiliate to get his son more playing time by annoying the coaches) shows up with a concussion he suffered while in a bar fight. When questioned about it he claims he got the concussion in practice because he doesnt want Leach to know the truth. Why? Because Adam knows that if Leach will suspend his best lineman Brandon Carter for making disparaging remarks on twitter, think what he may do to him for getting a concussion while in a bar fight. This just another piece in the puzzle, but a very important piece that somehow seems to be getting overlooked by the media. The fact that the James family doesnt deny it seems to only make more truth of the matter. So I would like to see this piece of information confirmed if anybody can. I believe it a very important part of the puzzle.
You deserve the Pulizer Prize for literature! What a great summary of the unfortunate events that have led to the potential destruction of a man’s career. The most amazing part of this story is just now starting to unfold: Craig James’ announcement that he is considering a run for the senate. We absolutely MUST ban together to keep this prat from being elected. Contact Spaeth Communications out of Dallas and let them know that no matter how much money they use to “spin” Craig James, the citizens of Texas know all too well, from his involvement in the SMU death penalty to his dealings with Tech, he has zero ethics and integrity.
I feel for the fans of TT. What happened to Leach was a shame. It was really aggravating seeing ESPN at the center of another coaching scandal. It seems that the world wide leader is now more interested in making news than reporting news. This is at least the second coaching situation where ESPN played a significant role in the outcome (the other being Les Miles to Michigan), and one could argue that Mangino at Kansas and Leavitt at South Florida were influenced by the faux outrage put forth by ESPN reporting.
It is also ironic that two of their own analysts, Lou Holtz and Bobby Knight were notorious for putting their hands on players. And while Lou may have been slight enough not to warrant any concern for the well being of the affected players, Knight certainly could have caused harm earlier in his career.
Thanks, TechMom! If anyone wants to submit this to the Nobel committee under the category of “Best Investigative Journalism that utilizes manure jokes”, I would be happy to accept the nomination!
Garrett, Thanks for putting this together …. I think it hits the nail on the head! I sent several emails to the trio (Hance, Myers and Bailey) telling them that THEY should be fired for the way this was handled!! What a travesty has been done not only to Mike Leach but also to the Texas Tech fans. I am even embarrassed to say I am a Tech Graduate. I think the only way to make the Administration understand what they did is to withhold any future contributions of any kind.
I loved your article!
Just wish you had included the bias reporting by E$PN . . .
Everyone does not know that Hance called Mike Xmas Eve and said if he didnt sign the letter on Dec 26th that they would fire hime, so why wouldn’t Mike go off on his pansy ass??
Then at the 26th meeting, Mike clearly took the high road and said “Its quite obvious that tech does not want me here and lets start the dialect of an exit strategy, where he would resign after next sesaon, with no buyout , the School would not be harmed, his reputation intact, the staff would have jobs and time to look after next year and most of all the recruits would enroll at Tech!!!
It is all about the $800,000.00 which was already earned in his previous contract!
Hell no these idiots railroaded him and Mike could have been coaching in Knoxville, who clearly wanted him last year and Tubby the good ole boy would have been at Tech and Mike would have sang Rocky Talk all night long driving with Lubbock in his rearaview mirror!!!
we finally have an offical handbook that explains excatly how members of team leach feel. great piece of work and very well done!
I think this is the best piece to actually mirror what I was (and am still) feeling about the whole incident. Whatever the case… whoever was right or wrong… fire him or don’t fire him… After spending thousands of dollars (already planned and mostly paid for) on a trip with family to San Antonio, it became a fan’s worst nightmare on the day we were on the road! It is inconceivable to me that a decision or any action could not have waited until after the bowl game. The administration totally screwed thousands of loyal fans - and I don’t even recall a thank you…
I will NEVER forget the experience of sitting four rows away from Adam James on the field in San Antonio. I will NEVER forget the signs or the taunts from the crowd. I will NEVER buy any ticket to any game that has Adam James running out on the field in a Red Raider uniform. I will NEVER donate another dollar to TTU as long as Kent Hance, Guy Bailey, and Gerald Meyers remain in any leadership role. The beneficiary designations have been changed, and the will is being re-written.
Thanks for the memories, boys!
Stephen needs to read Adam James deposition. Unfortunately most people lack the mindfulness to look into the facts and thus believe the spin machine.