Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach is seeking a contract extension. The university is open to giving him one. However, the end result of their negotiations could be Leach getting fired.Yes, you read that right. A coach with a 76-39 career record, coming off an 11-2 campaign that saw his team in the midst of national championship talk in November, could lose his job. Why? Because it appears schools are sick and tired of watching their successful coaches flying all over the country to interview for jobs they perceive as better than the one they have.
The deadline for Leach to sign his extension has passed. The university issued a terse statement on the matter Tuesday night.
"Coach Leach has declined our $12.7 million contract," (athletic director Gerald) Myers said. "We will enter the decision-making process and should have some announcements by next week. Our decisions will be based on the best interest of Texas Tech and all of its supporters."Tim Griffin, who covers the Big 12 for ESPN.com, reports that Leach could actually get fired over failing to sign a contract extension.
There really appears to be no middle ground. Either Leach's contract gets done to his wishes or he's out of there -- despite the most successful run in recent Tech history.It was one thing for Boston College to fire Jeff Jagodzinski. He was a two-year head coach, and it could be fairly argued that there was an understanding between the university and the coach that he wouldn't be running after every job available. I still don't agree with it, but I can at least understand it a bit.
Amazingly, Leach could be fired by the end of the week -- despite matching the school single-season record for victories with an 11-2 record last season. The Red Raiders earned a share of their first Big 12 South Division title last season. And that's after taking Tech to the rarefied air of a No. 2 national ranking late last season.
If Texas Tech fires Leach because he won't sign a contract extension, it might be the dumbest coaching move in the history of college football. It might make sense for schools to follow Boston College's lead and try to restrict how often their coaches seek other jobs, but is it really a smart thing to do?
After all, loyalty runs both ways, and I'm not sure it's very loyal to fire a coach who has won twice as many games as he's lost. It's not like Texas Tech was wildly successful before Leach got there.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-18-2009 @ 4:26PM
Bob said...
I just saw this on ESPN, where they added an important piece to this puzzle--the new contract includes some very touchy clauses that haven't been in Leach's current one, and that's why he didn't sign--it's not about the salary, as the AD seems to be trying to say. It sounds like these guys don't get along much, anyway. Regardless, there are still TWO YEARS left on Leach's current contract, so what's the deal?! If they don't want to renew it then, so be it, but why make a move now?
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2-18-2009 @ 8:12PM
Gavin said...
Mike Leach appeared on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas today with hosts Sean Salisbury and Newy Scruggs. Here's a link to the interview.
http://www.1053thefan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=3483038
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2-18-2009 @ 9:32PM
globalsetback said...
mike leach is a punk when is the last time he won the big 12 other than beating texas last year name one more big victory u cant
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2-19-2009 @ 8:40AM
DP said...
I think Tech needs to remember who they are.....Texas Tech. The step-child of the Big 12 - always have been, always will be. They will not find another quirky coach. I think Leach is a goofball but Tech should be happy with who they have. Whether he stays or goes, Tech just remember to hang your hat on last year - that won't happen again. Pretty soon Baylor will assume your spot.
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2-19-2009 @ 11:33AM
BettorFan.com said...
Of course you don't want your coach to interview for other jobs, but that's how life is. You are always looking for something better, be it prestige, wealth, etc. He should not be fired for entertaining other offers.
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2-19-2009 @ 5:27PM
jmw752 said...
I agree with DP to a point. It is not like Tech has always been on top of their league. I am sure somebody would be happy with Leach. Who knows, maybe they don't get along anyway or he wouldn't be looking around. The sad part is the players - this all gets started late February after those kids signed to play for Coach Leach. Maybe that says something about the class of the whole organization.
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2-21-2009 @ 12:37AM
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