LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech fired Mike Leach on Wednesday after the coach took the school to court to try to overturn his suspension for alleged mistreatment of an injured player.
“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.
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. The sophomore alleged the coach twice confined him to a small, dark place after the player was diagnosed with a concussion.
Turner declined to elaborate about the other issues.
Leach was suspended Monday after he refused to agree to guidelines for dealing with players set forth by his bosses in a Dec. 23 letter.
Leach decided to fight the university in court “in defiance” of his suspension, and that’s why “we are where we are,” Turner said.
Leach was in San Antonio with his team, which is preparing to play Michigan State on Saturday in the Alamo Bowl. He left the team’s hotel while his interim replacement, defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, was holding a news conference.
Approached by a reporter, Leach said no comment before being asked a question. Asked how he felt Texas Tech treated him throughout the past two weeks, Leach responded: “I think that’s apparent.”
Texas Tech’s official statement said Leach’s recent actions made it impossible for him to remain coach of the Red Raiders.
“In a defiant act of insubordination, Coach Leach continually refused to cooperate in a meaningful way to help resolve the complaint,” the statement said. “He also refused to obey a suspension order and instead sued Texas Tech University.”
The school on Wednesday gave a termination letter to Leach’s attorney, Ted Liggett, minutes before the sides were to appear in court for a hearing on the coach’s request to be allowed to lead his team in the Alamo Bowl.
Wide receiver Tramain Swindall said he supported the decision to fire Leach.
“I do agree, and I’m supporting Adam and what he’s doing because it’s the right thing to do,” Swindall said in a telephone interview.
Swindall said he believes Leach was at times out of line in how he treated players.
“So do most of the players,” he said. “It wasn’t just about Adam. It was always a negative vibe.”
James, who has 17 catches for 154 yards and 1 touchdown this season, is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Craig James. In two years at Texas Tech, Adam James has 32 catches for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“We appreciate that the university conducted a fair and thorough investigation,” the James family said in a statement. “From the family’s point of view this has always been about the safety and well-being of our son and of all the players on the team.”
Texas Tech officials provided Leach a letter setting out guidelines for dealing with student-athletes. Leach refused to sign it. The letter was included in court papers filed in response to his motion for a restraining order.
Among the guidelines:
“Decisions regarding whether an injury warrants suspension from practice and/ or play will be determined by a physician without pressure from you or your staff.”
“There will be no retaliation against any student who has suffered an injury.”
Tech’s termination letter said Leach was fired with cause, meaning the university believes it does not owe Leach any of the remaining money left on a five-year, $12.7 million contract he agreed to in February. According to terms of the deal, Leach was due a $800,000 bonus Dec. 31 if he were still the head coach at Texas Tech.
Liggett said he planned to file a lawsuit on Leach’s behalf against the school.
McNeill said he was shocked when he learned of the firing, and he lobbied to be Leach’s permanent replacement.
“I’m very interested in the job,” he said. “I think that’s a double yes, with some exclamation marks.”
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 was rewarded with 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.
Leach’s dismissal comes a year after he was Big 12 coach of the year and led Tech to the best season in the history of the program. The Red Raiders went 11-2 last season.
A quirky, nonconformist with a pass-happy offense and penchant for pirates, Leach arrived in West Texas in 2000.
Sports, Pages 15 on 12/31/2009