How much of Leach’s success is due to his unique and independent personality? It’s a combination of...

How much of Leach’s success is due to his unique and independent personality?

It’s a combination of the person and his circumstances. The joy of Billy Beane in Oakland and Mike Leach in Lubbock, Texas, is that both are in places where they instinctively knew they had to be different to have a chance. Lubbock - there’s a kind of quirkiness and unconventional nature to it. Mike Leach was going to do whatever he was going to do, but needed an unconventional place to do it.

They call him a mad scientist, but he’s more of a mad artist. He’s a thinker. Mike Leach is sitting there almost like a birdwatcher, waiting for something to happen so he can think about what that means. And the players, they feel like they’ve walked into the funhouse. They come out of high school and all of a sudden then find themselves on 4th and 16 in their own territory and the coach is sending in a play. It liberates the players.

Play: Texas Tech at the Top? Michael Lewis Isn't Surprised

7 months ago Seth C Comment 4 comments 0 recs |

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Is Michael Lewis getting ready to release a book about Leach? Methinks yes.

Also, Lewis may have suggested that either he or Leach thinks having a good defense is just about having the best athletes. Seems hard to believe Leach would be that cavalier.

by Jason Roberts on Nov 13, 2008 5:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

that sounds more like a Lewis thing

than a Leach thing. He may not be especially interested in the defensive aspects of the game, but he’s coached up enough two-star talent in his time to know better than to say something that idiotic.

by mojavereject on Nov 13, 2008 10:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Leach is gonna be on 60 minutes.

by TT4EVER on Nov 13, 2008 7:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I just finished reading Lewis' articles.

They are very well written. He appears to be a Texas Tech fan. However, he writes instead for the New York Times. He, being that far from Lubbock, sees in Mike Leach and Texas Tech something very special, something that those closer to them (like, say, other coaches and players in the Big-12) cannot seem to grasp, or are unwilling to accept as being real. Lewis’ description of what transpires throughout a Tech game is very insightful. What I realized after reading his articles is that what we saw against Oklahoma State may be an imageof what is going to happen for many more games, especially those that are in the way of completing this miraculous season. Should this play out according to Mike Leach’s plan, Tech could easily emerge as the BCS Champions, not only this year, but for many more in the next 20 years. Leach enjoys the success he obtains with these unsung heros noboby else wants, and he could be here until he retires some 20-30 years down the road, wearing Texas Tech Red and Black the whole way. So, all those burgendy, varying shades of orange, red, white & blue wearing fans of other teams take note. You are seeing the future, and the future is Texas Tech and Mike Leach. Avast, ye mateys, we’re goin’ ta pillage your homes and never let up fer a long, long time, blast ye. Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

TTpilk

by TTpilk645 on Nov 13, 2008 11:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs