Truth & Rumors > NCAAF
Why Leach may leave Texas Tech
A Lubbock radio station is giving out "Keep Mike Leach at Tech" shirts this week, and many worry that this cult hero of a coach could bolt for Clemson, Washington or one of the many other openings expected in the off-season. One reason for the concern is that Leach has just two years remaining on his contract, the shortest length of any coach in the Big 12. Leach has gone 73-37 in his nine years here, and with an 8-0 record this season, he has secured the program's ninth consecutive bowl berth. Coaches with that kind of track record typically have at least a five-year contract cushion. For instance, the contract for Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops expires in 2013, and Mack Brown's deal at Texas ends in 2016. Leach's expires in 2010, which opposing coaches can use against him in recruiting. He is earning $1.75 million this year, meaning he is not among the five highest-paid coaches in the Big 12. The situation has raised eyebrows around college football, where Leach is respected for his quirky but effective style. His pass-based system has helped turn quarterback Graham Harrell into a Heisman Trophy contender. Harrell leads the N.C.A.A. Football Bowl Subdivision in passing yards with 3,147. The system also helped Michael Crabtree evolve into one of the nation's most productive receivers. He is tied for first in the F.B.S. with 14 touchdown catches. By whipping the ball around the field and making defenses dizzy with his team's aerial antics, Leach has thrived in a place with a small local recruiting base and little history of top-line football success. That is why other coaches are puzzled that Tech has not bent over backward to keep Leach.
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Ireivy Guerra
Jessica White

Comments (32) Add A Comment
There's a better reason.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
salvaje50
Total Comments (441)
Crazy business when two years left on a contract is considered tenuous. That strikes me as an eternity in that business. How many coaches are not at the same place they were two years ago? A little early to think he is going anywhere.
50yearfan
Total Comments (4184)
Waiting for ya in TENNESSEE.....................GO VOLS
vols fan
Dayton , TN
Total Comments (1)
Mike Leach at Tennessee would give the vols a breath of new life. Good luck to ya Vols fans!! Maybe PF could go to UW & clean up the mess from TY.
Sexton
Total Comments (681)
MAybe Mike can get a fat contract and can afford a better Hairdo
Bedias90
Total Comments (136)
Hopefully Texas will hang about 70 on them tonight as a going away present
Bedias90
Total Comments (136)
Mike Leach on Rocky Top? Great Idea--im trying to Vision an SEC team with an OFFENSE
Bedias90
Total Comments (136)
d
HuskerTx
Bedford , TX
Total Comments (23)
.
I still say he looks like Vince Gill..
HuskerTx
Bedford , TX
Total Comments (23)
No he looks like Uncle Joey from Full House...............
Chasin' Utleys
Burr Ridge, IL
Total Comments (3697)
So many sports writers write off Tech's success as attributed to just the "system," as listed here from the NY Times. Implication is the athletes are below average but for the 'system' (i.e. Wes Welker). Every offense is a 'system' organized to score. Every year more programs start using it. Why not appreciate the interest this system offense has brought to the game and the athletes who run it? This is what 21st century football looks like.
ke
Flower Mound , TX
Total Comments (4)
If Mr. Leach decides to leave Texas Tech, it may be because he realizes that at TT, he will never win a National Title. He has done well getting TT as far as he has, but the clock is about to strike midnight. I'm not hating, but Texas Tech is not National Championship material, this year or any other.
eyesWIDEopen
Tampa Bay, FL
Total Comments (1459)
It could also be sandstorms and tumbleweed.
Gonzeaux
Total Comments (211)
Well, the SEC may not be the greatest offensive league around, but can you say "National Championships" ? How about "Title League" ?
lapop
El Dorado , AR
Total Comments (2)
I didn't know the SEC had such poor offenses. Wow, such enlightenment! However, can you say 'National Championships' ? It fits the league.
lapop
El Dorado , AR
Total Comments (2)
1 more time, ma man!
What are you talking about?
Gonzeaux
Total Comments (211)
I guess I can see the reasoning that TT is not national title material....but look, they just beat Texas. It isn't a big stretch to think that they might win out and be in the BSC title game. If they beat Texas, is it such a stretch to think that they could beat PSU, UA, UF, USC? I don't think they'll win it all either, but it certainly doesn't look so far-fetched after winning tonight.
Oh, I know it is really called the BCS, but I think BS-C is a more accurate description of how we get a champion.
NFL Blows
Moscow , ID
Total Comments (26)
There is a reason Tech is worried about Leach. Anybody here willing to talk about it? Everybody in Lubbock knows!
ballplayer
Oklahoma City , OK
Total Comments (2)
We're all ears ballplayer. Enlighten us please.
NFL Blows
Moscow , ID
Total Comments (26)
Well it is Truth and RUMORS ... I wish newspaper reporters would do their job ... report news instead of trying to create news. When Mike Leach signed his contract, he was the second highest paid coach in the Big 12 and that was basically before he had done anything other than get Tech into several straight bowls. Now, his contract is starting to run short ... big whoop. Do you not think something isn't already in the works? Give me a break ... will he stay in Lubbock ... don't know, but he seems pretty happy here. If he does leave ... it won't be to a losing team like Washington ... Clemson and the Vols ... don't they have coaches with long term contracts? Something will have to happen at those schools first, before this sort of speculation takes place ...
jctoo, cult elitist
Coolville, TX
Total Comments (11452)
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