Mike Leach Watch: Day 3
by Seth C on Dec 5, 2008 6:51 AM CST
in Football
85 comments
Mike Leach Watch:
As mentioned last night by jwhitettu, NewsChannel 11 obtained documents that show as of April 2008, Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers seemed okay with losing Mike Leach as the head coach. Here's the pertinent part of the story:
Leach's agent tried to start negotiations in the spring. But in an April 29th, 2008 e-mail, at 4 p.m., Myers wrote back to the agent saying that the athletic department's financial condition would not allow Leach to make more money. Myers writes, "We have reached the limits of what we can pay our coach and still maintain the rest of the department."Myers complimented Leach as a fine coach and said it was perfectly logical for Leach to seek more money. And then, "If better opportunities occur for him somewhere else we will fully understand."
Separately, NewsChannel 11 has obtained a July 2008 letter from the agent to Chancellor Kent Hance. They are asking Hance to overrule Myers and come up with a better deal. Recent public statements by Hance and Myers both seem to indicate the university is now willing to come up with a contract extension and higher salary.
As to the first part, that's accurate, Myers has alwasy maintained that the school is at its limit in paying Leach. As far as Myers' comments about Leach finding greener pastures if need be, I'm okay with that and probably would have said the exact same thing. Myers knows that he can't afford to give Leach the moon and as much as Myers may want to keep Leach around, he owes a greater responsibility to Texas Tech University and ensuring that the athletic department remain fiscially sound.
The part about O'Hagan making contact with Hance all makes sense now.
It appears that the biggest disconnect is between Myers and O'Hagan. I couldn't figure out for the life of me why Myers wasn't contacting Leach and/or his agent. Well, I think I understand why he wasn't contacting Leach's agent and why there were reports yesterday that an offer was sitting on Leach's desk yesterday morning.
I don't think it would be a stretch to say that Myers does not particularly like O'Hagan and he especially doesn't like that O'Hagan went above Myers to try and milk some more money out of the university. That would probably tick me off as well.
There is a serious disconnect between Myers, Leach and O'Hagan.
"I called his agents yesterday, and they called back this morning," he confirmed to RedRaiderSports.com earlier this evening. "I’ll be talking to them tomorrow and then we’ll start the process of putting our ideas on the terms of the contract. They have their ideas and we have ours. That’s where we are."They’ve wanted to settle and we’ve wanted to settle. So I don’t think it’ll take this long."
Hell or high water, we should know where everyone stands after today. In my opinion, either a deal is struck, or Leach is on his way to those greener pastures.
"I think it has to do more with him wanting a new challenge," Harrell said."There’s a great chance" he’d leave, Harrell said. "But if he stays he’s going to continue to be successful here, and I’d love to see that."
Snip
"Maybe he goes to a program where he’ll be at the top of the conference, where he’s not having to battle to build up a reputation of a team, where he can take a team that has a good reputation and it’ll be easier for him to play in BCS games, maybe win a national championship," Harrell said.
Harrell probably knows Leach better than any other player and this bothers me to no end on a bunch of different levels. First, this emphasizes the idea that there must be a strong disconnect between Leach and his agent and the administration. I think that "new challenge" is a code word for "anywhere but here". Second, the part about going to a place where it's easier, I don't know that I'd buy that. It's not going to be easy at any school where they just canned their head coach.
LAJ's Don Williams editorializes on quite a challenge for the new university President, Guy Bailey, but at the end of the story is this note (emphasis mine):
Athletic director Gerald Myers acknowledged Wednesday learning that Leach didn’t want to talk to him in the negotiations. But Myers visited with Matt Baldwin, one of Leach’s representatives, on Thursday, according to Tech Chancellor Kent Hance, while Hance began on Wednesday afternoon trying to reopen lines of communication with Leach."I just told him,’’ Hance said, "that we really wanted him, that we wanted him to stay here, that people love him here, he’s doing a great job and that we want to work something out.’’
Again, major disconnect.
I don't know if this is an ego-issue between Myers and Leach, but do not understand how this is going to last for 5 years. If Leach signs at Texas Tech, I am guessing that there will be a buy-out provision, something that Leach does not currently have (I think), which makes him a candidate for every decent coaching position going forward. If a buy-out provision is agreed to, then Leach is essentially forced to work with Myers for the forseeable future.
These next few days, are going to be interesting.
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wow...WOW
A lot of that info ties together some loose ends. I’ve said, as have others, there seemed to be some goofiness with how this all went down – and continues to go down.
I am shocked beyond words that Tech seems to be able to come up with money to expand a stadium, but not to pay the coach who is directly responsible for filling it. Stating we don’t have any money and Leach got all we can give him is akin to admitting we’re white trash. I have a huge case of heartburn over that – and I don’t believe it for a second.
Harrell’s comments are probably the truest out there. Leach wants out because it appears that he hates his boss. And for that, I can’t blame him. I’d look to leave, too. Tech needs to be very, very careful with how we handle this knowing the issues at hand.
A big, big part of me now thinks the best thing for everyone is to go their separate ways and start from scratch with a new guy. You need to at least respect and get along with your boss or it simply doesn’t work. Leach CLEARLY wants to leave, and it seems for good reason so maybe we just cut the ties with him ourselves and find someone who can work with the administration. Face it, the coach is the easiest of all to replace. Meyers isn’t going anywhere and neither is Hance.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 8:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Expansion...
The majority of the expansion was paid for through private donations. An expansion is a project and thus can be funded on a one-time basis. One of the regents gave up 1M, he matched 1M from other private donors, AT&T gave up a huge chunk, etc. etc. It’s easy to raise a huge chunk of money when you are winning.
But those donations go specifically to the stadium. And since coaching salaries are paid annually, you can’t exactly depend on private donations to fund the next 10 years of coaching contracts. What happens if Leach goes 1-10 next year? And the athletic department has married itself to a 3M a year contract? Will those private donations be there? Would a coach even sign a contract printed on paper guaranteed by… the altruistic future donations of alumni? Can they?
The stadium expansion was limited by the degree to which people like us would donate. Mike Leach’s or any future Texas Tech coach’s salary is limited by the athletic budget.
Maybe what we should have done is asked for donations directly to the athletic department… but we didn’t. And so the 25M we raised for expansions can’t really go to Mike Leach’s salary.
I do not know what the white trash thing means. I think you seem to be saying that we’re the guy with the corvette parked in front of the double wide explaining our car payments as the reason we can’t cover the mortgage. I think the reason such an analogy isn’t apt is explained above.
I do NOT think the best thing for everyone is to go their separate ways and start from scratch. Just my two cents.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I understand your position. I didn’t articulate mine well. What I was trying to drive at, is since we KNEW that an extension was needed (almost no BCS coach operates with only a 2-yr deal in place), why wasn’t the call put out to the donors this summer? A letter saying, “Hey, Leach is coming up for an extension. We think he could demand in the range of $2mm and $3mm per year. We currently can pay him X million. If we want to keep him, we need your help on this. I know we’ve asked for money for the stadium, but this is equally important. Please help…”
I know that such a possibility exists where the AD did that. But we don’t know for sure, and from what all the parties are saying, it doesn’t appear that happened.
See my comment below re: white trash.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What???
Meyers said that? I don’t care about the athletic budget??? Who cares whether or not women’s lacrosse is adquately funded? Or if we have a nice soccer field or whatever. Leach is the athletic department and football is ALL that matters. If Meyers decides his GD ego needs to be fed then HE needs to go. You want to be one of the big boys and play with the big boys pay your coach. Break the bank. Football brings in the money. Sit the F down with Leach and pay him what he deserves or we sink back into 7-6 medicoracy which is unacceptable. This is on MEYERS if he loses the best coach in Tech History. In fact someone start www.firegeraldmeyers.com. Becasue as of now that guy just plain sucks.
by Redraid1 on Dec 5, 2008 8:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Title IX cares about all of those other budgets.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
by Seth C on Dec 5, 2008 8:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True, but football revenue pays for them. Our revenue goes down, those sports suffer by having crap coaches, facilities, etc.
Only a VERY small percentage of Leach’s income comes from Tech…something like $300,000. If we can’t bump that up significantly, our proud university should be ashamed – and our CFO needs to do some explaining.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 8:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We are all talking past each other.
Why don’t we just offer Mike Leach 10M a year?
What does anyone of us really know about the Texas Tech athletic budget? Surely even those who want us to “break the bank” recognize that there are logical limits to the amount we can pay a person, and we aren’t sure of where those limits exist. I WANT us to pay the absolute maximum possible without sinking the entire athletic budget, but I haven’t the foggiest idea what that limit is. I know we have less money than a lot of the programs we’re supposed to be competing with in Re: coaching salaries. Why does anyone expect us to outgun Texas, for instance, in coaching salary? Because we’re so rich?
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am certainly not at all in favor of mortgaging the AD budget future to pay Leach. But I do think as a school that wants to be considered a major player in the college football world that we need to pony up a little bit.
I really think a salary in the $2.5 range is more than fair. If he wants more than that, well, then maybe we do need to reassess if he’s our guy. But to basically say that the salary he has is all they can give him is a slap in the face to him. He’s given Tech a run of success we haven’t seen in decades. To ask for credibility in the college football world, and then not pay the going rate for a top 10 coach gives Tech a bit of a black eye.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
that to say his current salary is all we can afford is either ludicrous or, if actually true, well that just means Leach should walk. He’s going to get substantially higher offers elsewhere. If we can get up to 2.5M more power to us. I don’t have a problem with the AD not giving him the extension at the beginning of the year because 11-1 is now hindsight and Leach increased his value substantially only after we beat, say, Oklahoma State.
That’s why I think we’re talking past each other. I think everyone agrees we need to pay coach what he deserves, which is some amount more than he’s receiving. I have little doubt that Myers and Hance understand that. Our decision is driven by a budget, though, and the original post simply dismissed that. We ALL here at DTN want Coach Leach to stay, we want him to be paid enough to stay, we want the department to pony up the cash.
If this thing breaks down there will be no reasonable assessment of the rationality of Leach’s position vs. that of Myers. Myers will be the goat and we will all be calling for his head. But his concerns are very different from those of Leach (or O’Hagan) and we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that Texas Tech is a school first and a place where football is played second. We don’t have money trees growing on campus. It takes two parties to contract with one another and Leach might have priced himself out of Texas Tech for all I know. I hope that isn’t the case.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As for pricing himself out of Tech’s league, it seems that Hance alluded to that the other day. This summer, the numbers that Leach’s team tossed out were considered unrealistic. I’m only speculating here…but I think those numbers are significantly higher given the on-field result this year, eh?
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hard to trust Meyers...
Everytime I read comments from Meyers over these last few days I find it harder and harder to trust him. But then again, I certainly don’t trust O’hagen’s comments either.
I clearly appears that Meyers has alienated Leach’s representatives. But I agree with Seth on the idea that I would be angry too with O’hagen for going above and around for more money if I were AD. He should have at least invited Meyers to sit down with he and Hance to discuss in a meeting together. But who knows, maybe he did!
Lastly, my preference would be for Graham to not make any public comments on the situation. I’m as big a Harrell fan as there is and regularly tout his greatness with all of the UT fans I work with who seem to share a McCoy man-crush. But this comment:
“There’s a great chance” he’d leave, Harrell said." can’t help matters.
Seems to me this could hurt on several levels (current team focus, recruiting, team chemistry, fan confusion, etc.). He’s a leader on the team and I think he would be better served to not make any public comments on the situation. But I can understand that he probably feels his coach hasn’t be treated right in this situation by the athletic dept.
If that is the case and that is how he feels, count me on his side.
by imisswesttexas on Dec 5, 2008 8:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think the thing between Meyers and Leach has been festering for years. I just don’t think they like each other at all. Leach not even informing the AD of his interviews at UW is just icing on that bitter cake.
Is anyone else just SLIGHTLY embarrased for our university over how this is playing out?
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 8:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the white trash comment struck a nerve with me
Looks like we put the “K” in Klass.
by Plano Jeff on Dec 5, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A bit harsh probably and a bad choice of words…but we are dropping the ball and will come off looking cheap if we claim poverty. We’re not paying the guy that much out of university funds as it is. That’s what I was trying to drive at.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 9:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No, I agree with you 100%
It’s just sometimes reality is harsh. I’m thinking about doing a fan post in regard to what a great sports team does for a university right now and from what I read, there’s no argument for being “cheap.” As far as a business model goes, when you are travelling, and want to eat somewhere, don’t you want to go to the shiny, clean, new looking place to eat? Hotel? When picking a doctor/lawyer, wouldn’t you choose the new building, with nice furniture? Why would people want to come to Tech when they percieve it as backwater, and trying to make ends meet, after you’ve just toured a temple to sports in Austin, Norman, College Station? If we want to pusue the cheapo business model, we’re in the wrong effing conference, see ISU.
by Plano Jeff on Dec 5, 2008 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Big 12 Welfare
What are we the poor kid on the block of the BIg 12? We can’t pay? Leach is the 31st highest paid coach in NCAA Football. Check out the list. Friggin Art Briles of Baylor, Mark Mangino, Mike Sherman, Gary Pinkel are all better paid. You telling me that we are poorer than all of these schools??? We do sound like po white trash if we cry poverty.
1 Bob Stoops Oklahoma $6,500,000
2 Charlie Weis Notre Dame $4,200,000
3 Pete Carroll USC $4,000,000
4 Les Miles LSU $3,751,000
5 Nick Saban Alabama $3,750,000
6 Jim Tressel Ohio State $3,500,000
7 Urban Meyer Florida $3,400,000
8 Kirk Ferentz Iowa $3,030,000
9 Mack Brown Texas $2,910,000
10 Bobby Petrino Arkansas $2,850,000
11 Tommy Tuberville Auburn $2,825,000
12 Mark Richt Georgia $2,800,000
13 Rich Rodriguez Michigan $2,500,000
14 Bobby Bowden Florida State $2,500,000
15 Philip Fulmer Tennessee $2,400,000
16 Mark Mangino Kansas $2,300,000
17 Greg Schiano Rutgers $2,250,000
18 Mike Bellotti Oregon $2,100,000
19 Frank Beamer Virginia Tech $2,100,000
20 Butch Davis North Carolina $2.100,000
21 June Jones SMU $2,000,000
22 Al Groh Virginia $1,875,000
23 Gary Pinkel Missouri $1,875,000
24 Tommy Bowden Clemson $1,850,000
25 Jeff Tedford California $1,850,000
26 Mike Sherman Texas A&M $1,800,000
27 Art Briles Baylor $1,800,000
28 Joe Tiller Purdue $1,800,000
29 Steve Spurrier South Carolina $1,800,000
30 Ralph Friedgen Maryland $1,750,000
31 Mike Leach Texas Tech $1,750,000
by Redraid1 on Dec 5, 2008 9:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Art Briles
just signed his contract, Leach got his extension a couple years ago. As the direction of coaching salaries is up, it makes sense that he who signs most recently signs most lucratively. Bad moment for the economy to collapse, from our perspective.
I think A&M probably has more money than us, but Sherman got his contract after Leach got his extension.
Mark Mangino went from 800k a year to 2.3M a year after the Orange bowl victory last year, and after winning coach of the year. Again, he who signs most recently…
Pinkel signed his contract extension less than a month ago, around November 26th.
If Mike Leach gets a contract in Tech, it will be comparable.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 9:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
UT, A&M, and OU...
Have SO much more $$$$ than us. Billion $ endowments.
Go Tech!!!
by jwhitettu on Dec 5, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Salaries
Isn’t some of the coaches’ guaranteed compensation tied up in other things beside salary?
by natkcole on Dec 5, 2008 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Tech is only on the hook for $300,000 of Leach’s deal.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Can you explain this?
I’m not very familiar with how his annual payment is structured. He’s obviously making more than 300K a year and I’m wondering where all that money comes from if not the university.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
looks like Iowa got jobbed
or better yet, jobbed themselves
by Plano Jeff on Dec 5, 2008 11:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think this is a situation where Mike and Gerald need to part their separate ways. The situation is not the most professional, but it’s not like the typical working relationship we have with our bosses where we see them every day and have to interact with them. Just like any damaged relationship, it will take time to heal and both need to re-establish their lines of communication. However, I would be crazy to say it will play out nicely given the ego of Myers and Leach’s quirkiness.
At the end of the day though, it’s Mike Leach who is putting butts in the seats of this new stadium and making fans go out and support the university. I’m thinking the tech administration knows that and would be willing to part ways with Myers first before Leach. Myers is not a fan favorite right now and if I am wrong, he could be close to retirement. Here are my last shots so I can go to work:
1) Please Tech get the deal done today! You have the entire day to negotiate…though I think most likely Leach’s representatives will think about it over the weekend. Maybe Leach isn’t that type though given he bailed out on the UW job cause it took so long.
2) I really like Harrell, but I do agree he needs to not comment on this situation. he is a team leader and there is a bowl game to play. I don’t want to drop $100 at the Cotton Bowl to watch a non-focused team.
3) I am kinda embarred with all this……makes it worse with that player who got busted for cocaine by DEA…..oh, and he happens to be roommates with Crabtree.
4) Myers comments to the local tv station was uncalled for. He makes us sound cheap and not the premier research instituation that the university keeps selling us on. Myers better hire a really good PR firm because his reputation is severely damaged.
i’m out. Pay the man!!!
by WreckerRaider on Dec 5, 2008 9:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Egos.
Whatever degree these negotiations are being dictated by egos… that shit is unacceptable. This is big money business that affects a huge amount of people. It is a controversial subject. Egos need to be set aside IMMEDIATELY and both sides; there is too much at stake here for people to walk away from a table because they don’t like the guy on the other end.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 9:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Myers
Has got to be getting close to retirement. He’s pushing 70. He’s such a figure at the university (he played basketball in the 1950’s for Tech and coached for 20 years at Tech before becoming AD), that he’s not going to be forced out. Too many ties.
I have no doubt that he is old school, and as we all know, Leach is not. So I’m sure they don’t see eye to eye. I get the impression the beef is more with Leach’s agent than with the Captain himself. I also don’t know why they thought they could go around the agent. Leach probably has signed something committing him to use the guy as his intermediary and can’t negotiate on his own. That was just stubborness on Myers part.
If Leach gets a new contract, he’ll probably outlast Myers. That’s got to be some incentive for sticking it out. And the situation at Tech has got to be better than at Auburn.
by NM99 on Dec 5, 2008 9:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Role playing
Okay, let’s try some role-playing. Let’s say you’re a manager and one of your employees (coach/agent combined) comes to you asking for a raise. You consider his past performances, which never rise above “meets expectations”, and tell him maybe, but there isn’t quite enough money (smokescreen for “you need to prove that you can bring SOME kind of title to the school”). The employee then chooses to go to your boss without telling you and complain to a point where your boss is now questioning you. Nobody likes that situation and it never leads to good feelings from that point on, no matter how nice you try to play. I still fault the coach/agent as much as the admin because they are asking for a raise (despite there ALREADY being a contract in place) without showing anything, to that point, that would be considered “exceeds expectations”. It’s always easy to look back after an exceptional season (still without any title, mind you) and fault the administration. But if the agent had approached the administration AFTER the team/coach had proved something, it would be much easier to justify any anger if the administration sat on their hands. Instead, the agent/coach decided to pull rank before anything had even been proven. That definitely wouldn’t, in the manager role, sit well with me and would easily sour any future negotiations with that employee.
I wouldn’t lay the blame solely at the administration’s feet. I think there is plenty to go around and, in my opinion (you don’t have to agree), a bigger percentage lies with the agent, which is the person that always initiates this type of action.
by TracySaulRulz on Dec 5, 2008 9:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree to in prinicple
but agents are basically the biggest parasites on the planet. They make their living off of other’s success because they get a percentage of the value of the contract. If Leach’s agent thought he could renegotiate every year for more money he would because he would get more money in return. Not having a buyout clause in the current contract was dumb on Tech’s part because it frees up the agent to continually pimp Leach to anyone with an opening.
The best thing for Tech would be a minimum 5 year contract with a significant buyout clause for early termination. This keps the parasite at bay and lets Tech operate without having to worry about re-negotiating continually.
by NM99 on Dec 5, 2008 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Role playing, huh?
If I were the manager and had reached at least level 17, assuming he successfully saving throws against my smokescreen, I’d just cast magic missile on him.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 10:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The prime difference being that in college football, it is not normal for a coach to be working under less than a 4 or 5-year deal. That’s just the way it works. It impacts recruiting a TON if a coach is on a short term agreement. So while yes, he is technically under contract, in the college football world it’s as good as being a lame duck if it’s for two years.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 10:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like Role Play
At some point during the year, the manager has to recognize the employee is “exceeding expectations” and acknowledge the performance. The manager would definitely be pissed that the agent went over his head, but he must let that go and open the lines of communication.
Of course, that may have happened. I have no doubt that the agent leaked the documents to Channel 11, and so of course they are very one sided.
I think the Washington situation has awaken all parties, and egos will be put aside.
by SenorSackRemembered on Dec 5, 2008 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sick of it
I’m just tired of hearing all this crap… putting far too much extra stress on this university and we’re just throwing more and more bones to the dogs of the other big XII schools to chew on and spit back at us. let’s find out who’s to blame and go godfather style and put a horse head in their bed.
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Dec 5, 2008 9:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Leach has an out
If the don’t make him happy, he has an easy out.
This sucks. I really thought that the school would have enough sense to make him happy (and they still might). Their revenue has to be up with all of the attention his team has brought the school this fall. 6 sell outs, increased merchandise sales etc. If they keep him, he’ll make them money.
Badgerman
by Badgerman on Dec 5, 2008 9:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Is it really Myer's or is the good ole boy Tech supporters creating the problem?
By reading the articles on DTN today it’s becoming more apparent that someone above Myers is ruining our chances of keeping Leach. I remember someone posted comments about the old school Tech supports didn’t care for Leach and wanted him out which was a comment posted before the season started. (Skin Patrol or kayakyakr?) If this is true, all of this madness would make more sense.
I’m not sure Myers is our problem. Remember this on college game day before the Tech vs Texas game – "Tech’s season starts because Gerald Myers hired Leach," Knight said. "That’s the most important thing to this season. That’s No. 1 because they wanted to hire (Rich) Rodriguez, the committee did, and Gerald fought (because) they wanted to start the whole search all over again. Gerald really fought that and he won and they hired Leach."
Regardless of egos, the whole thing doesn’t make any sense when our school has been publicized so well during the season with multimillion $s worth of free advertising because of the success of the football team (i.e. Leach). Plus, all the major media reps (Jim Rome, The Herd, Griffin, PTI guys, First & 10 guys) love Leach as a coach. The money that was brought in by Leach’s successful season should count for something.
This is bigger than the school. Leach’s success is bringing opportunity to the entire city that has never been seen before. 60 minutes in December will most likely prove that out in their story that is supposed to run in late Dec. The City and the School need to take this once in a life time opportunity and quit screwing it up because of some good ole boy system that has kept the west texas plains so unappealing to the rest of the country.
by ashton99 on Dec 5, 2008 9:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think it may have been me. I have a cousin (I know, I hate when other people start off a post like that too…) who is one of the good old boys who donates a ton of $$ to Tech. He dislikes Leach personally because of his reputation for not answering a question head on when the cameras aren’t rolling. And for his consistent flirting with other jobs. These donors live and die for Tech and expect at least a little loyalty in return.
Now, he has told me he has no intention of backing off his support of the guy as our coach beccause to him it’s more about results, but he’s also said there are some deep pocket guys who would rather sacrifice a win or two for a coach who was better at making those guys happy by playing golf with them, coming out to lunch, etc. They basically pay a nice chunk of his salary but Leach doesn’t really play the political game very well. Or doesn’t want to. I can appreciate that, to be honest…but at the same time, that’s the way this coaching game IS played, right or wrong.
I think the reality is this is the landscape at pretty much any college. Some donors like the coach, some don’t for whatever reason; be it performance or personality. The good donors can set aside their personal feelings for the betterment of the program and university. We may not have the numbers of donors some of the other schools have, but there are some very wealthy Tech-ex’s roaming around these days who want to see Tech do well in all areas, not just football. That makes a difference. Some would rather start funneling their money into other areas of the athletic department or the general operating fund and endowment if they don’t like the guy or want him out.
I hope all this doesn’t come back to bite us in the rear, but maybe they can set aside their differences and come to at least a civil understanding and move forward. There’s plenty of blame to go around, as we are learning more and more each day.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's certainly understandable. This program is at a critcial point to turn the corner with
big recruits and it would be a shame to see it all go down because the higher powers can’t get along with Leach. Outside of someone that’s a recruiting genius I don’t really see a good candidate to replace Leach.
by ashton99 on Dec 5, 2008 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think
I remember the comment you were referring to. If I remember correctly, someone said they were in the Frazier Alumni Pavilion before a game earlier this season and said they were talking to some “influential alumni” and that they wanted Leach out. The comment didn’t seem very important or credible to me though given the circumstances so I don’t know how much faith to put into it. What specifically makes me think differently is the guy on the Board of Regents who recently donated $1m for the stadium expansion. I’m going to assume everyone on the board is “influential” and they are going to have as much insite as anyone about what the rich want at Tech. My 2 cents.
by Boarder on Dec 5, 2008 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not really 31st....
Leach’s base maybe 31st and as has been stated that was signed a couple of years ago. He has major incentives in his existing contract. Leading the nation in offfensive catagories, bowl and bowl wins, and etc. With the Gator bowl win and several other things that kick in he should make somewhere around 2.5 mil or so this year. Not to mention what’s on the table for the next 2 yrs. I want him to stay so Hance better get involved and sign him. I still contend that the Under Armour deal had alot to do with Leach because he is the only coach I saw at the announcement. Under Armour loves us in football because we have been able to “protect this house” and that is mainly because of Leach. Wreck’em Tech Keep Leach
by techgolf44 on Dec 5, 2008 10:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rich Rodriguez was Tech #1 choice, but the West Virginia job was opening up and that was Rich’s alma mater. He decided to sit at coordinator and the WVU job opened up the following year.
I was baffled when I heard Bob Knight say that Myers was crucial to Leach’s hiring. Hance and the new president better be involved in these negotiations. I’m hoping Tech calls a press conference later today announcing the deal.
by WreckerRaider on Dec 5, 2008 10:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whatever happens, I can now relate on some level with the angst Aggie fans have had with their coaching issues.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 10:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Should we be exploring alternatives?
I refuse to believe that Tech can’t come up with $3mil for this guy. There might be other stuff, possibly issues with Leach’s agents that we are not seeing which is messing things up. If Leach does leave though, whom do we get next?
I am hoping as heck we get one of these 3 men:
1. Tommy Tuberville or
2. Phil Fulmer
3.Chris Petersen (Boise State)
I think it will be extremely disappointing to have Art Briles as head coach. He is good at coaching mediocre teams. Even with his ‘contacts’ in the Texas High Schools, he was out recruited by TCU and others and failed to take Houston to a BCS bowl or make it any sort of power house even within Conference USA. He will be a disaster as Tech coach especially after where Leach has taken our football program to. Sonny Dykes’ name might come up too but Sonny will be an even worse choice than Art Briles. Same for June Jones.
by jef on Dec 5, 2008 11:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whoa whoa whoa...
Let’s not crucify Briles here.
If his only crimes are 1) being out recruited by a TCU program that was already way ahead of U. of H by the time he got there and 2) not taking a C-USA team to a BCS bowl game…? Houston was at or near the top of C-USA as recently as last year when he was coaching there.
Sonny would be even worse than Briles, in my opinion. At least Briles might have a shot at recruiting, has been here, is an alumn, etc.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Er...
last sentence isn’t worded well. I meant only to say that I think Briles would out recruit Sonny.
by Skin Patrol on Dec 5, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No dice
If we can’t afford Leach, what leads us to believe we can afford any other top level coach? We’d have to go after a coordinator looking for a HC job if money is the true issue. That, or a current HC at a school of lesser visibility than Tech. Not a good alternative in my book.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree. Plus, why would Fulmer or Tuberville even be close to appealing knowing
their absence is from mismanaging talent far superior to what Tech has as a whole. Peterson is a great fit for Boise State because of their talent and lack there of competition. I don’t see him being a recruiting master in Texas nor do I see Tech being an attractive option for him either.
Thanks for your previous response btw.
by ashton99 on Dec 5, 2008 11:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Only option
Tech may turn out to be Leach’s only solid option…for this year…
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach reportedly interviewed earlier this week for the soon-to-be-vacant Washington coaching job. But Leach withdrew his name from consideration Thursday, according to a Tech source with knowledge of the contract talks. Leach also was linked to the Auburn job Wednesday after Tommy Tuberville resigned. Various newspaper reports, quoting anonymous sources, said an unofficial Auburn representative gauged Leach’s interest. But the Tech source said Auburn officials told Tech that “they’re not interested in Leach” and that he “doesn’t fit well in the SEC.” That leaves Leach and his representatives — Gary O’Hagan and Matt Baldwin of International Marketing Group in Minneapolis — waiting for a formal contract offer from Myers. Baldwin declined to comment Thursday.
Dallas Morning News
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 11:23 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
How much is he worth...?
We don’t know what Coach Leach wants; we don’t really know what the university is in the position to pay.
Myers talk last spring about the athletic department’s “financial condition” is standard negotiation-speak. I run a public sector organization (albeit, much smaller than Texas Tech.) If I’m in Myers’ place, I initially say the same thing. Then we negotiate.
But really folks, how much is he worth? What have we accomplished, and how much is sustainable? Look at the list of coaches and salaries posted by Redraid1. Should he make more than Bobby Bowden or Rich Rodriguez? Should he make more than Mack Brown? I’m a Mike Leach fan and think he’s done wonders for Texas Tech, but does he deserve top 10 money? Now?
We can all say Tech should be able to do this or that, but it’s all speculation on our part. If it’s me, assuming Tech can afford it, I say, “Here’s $2.5 million in base salary now, plus the incentives. There’ll be more later if the program continues to make progress.” If that’s not good enough for Coach Leach, we say thanks for all he’s done for us and wish him well in his next endeavor.
We don’t need for our emotions to overrule our business sense. (Goodness knows, it’s been happening too much in the world anyway.)
by vin61 on Dec 5, 2008 11:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
are there any shoes waiting do drop?
anyone else on the hot seat at a big name school? Is he setting back waiting for Notre Dame? I’m scratching my head here. Arizona can’t be happy with their Stoops starter kit, but is it any better a job that Tech? Miss. State has and always will suck. looks like Mikey may be stuck with us. But he needs to be happy to be stuck with us or he’ll walk next year.
by Plano Jeff on Dec 5, 2008 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by Notre Dame, I mean 1 or 2 years down the road so the Jesuits can save a few mil on the Wies buyout.
by Plano Jeff on Dec 5, 2008 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
There are usually two to three “good” jobs that open up every year. I think Ole Miss could open up this year if Houston Nutt goes to Auburn…I bet they would be pretty interested in Leach. I’d go just for the tailgate at The Grove : )
Nest season?
LSU could open up if Les Miles lays another egg next year…Notre Dame, but he’s not at ALL a fit up there. More political there than any place in the country…Virginia could open next season (good fit in the ACC and could win titles hand over fist there)…Georgia Tech if Johnson moves – good possibility of Johnson being hired away…Louisville…Illinois…Arizona…
Those are a few that could open up after next season. All could be considered viable options in a lot of different ways.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
never gonna happen
Notre Dame = Catholic
Leach = Morman
Leach is not = Future ND Coach
Simple Logic
by johnlaf13 on Dec 5, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Theology
Ya’ll are making the mistake of thinking that:
1.Theology is more important than winning football games at ND, it’s not.
2. Theology is more important than money/power to a football coach, it’s not.
If ND ever comes to the understanding that they can no longer recruit the nations elite
football players then and only then will they consider the Captain.
VIVA LA FIGA!
by bmaxw on Dec 5, 2008 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i think that if and when
we sign a contract we say, Coach Leach we showed you we loved you, we put it all on the line for you. In return we don’t want to deal with, “Mike Leach is leaving Lubbock” every single December.
by johnlaf13 on Dec 5, 2008 11:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Right on
I think I’m beginning to understand how the Green Bay Packers organization felt every post-season with the Brett Favre “will he or won’t he retire” saga.
And what did they end up doing— they cut ties with their beloved quarterback for the overall good of the organization.
by vin61 on Dec 5, 2008 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a great comparison! It’s tough being held hostage every December/January. I do realize the days of a 25+ year coach in one spot are over, and every season we finish with Leach is one season closer to him leaving. But conversely, it would be nice to have two or three seasons where he just comes out in December and say’s, “I’m flattered by the interest, but I am not leaving Texas Tech this year.” Or something to that effect.
I wonder how much other coaches use Leach’s outside job interest against Tech on the recruiting trail every year? Probably a lot.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Tough sell in the SEC
Guys, living in Jackson, MS I’m surrounded by SEC all the time and eventhough Leach as at Kentucky his system and personality doesn’t fit the bigger schools in the SEC. I know for a fact that Ole Miss and MS State can’t pay more than us and those jobs are good but just as hard as they play top teams as well. Some fans at Auburn and other schools may like Leach but as we saw with Tenn. they aren’t going after a “gadget” offense. Don’t get me wrong I think his offense can work in the SEC but most SEC athletic people don’t. When it is all said and done Leach is the perfect fit for us and we are for him. Sure he likes surfing and Europe but has that stopped him from traveling to those places? I think not, so I know we can’t break the bank but give him a good raise, get Myers to retire like they did to Sharp and let’s get a younger AD and more. Just for the record, the Grove at Ole Miss is great but there is no comparison inside the stadium to the Jones! The band and students sit in the corners and part of one end zone and it is ok but it is not the JONES! Wreck’em Tech Keep Leach
by techgolf44 on Dec 5, 2008 11:51 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
ESPN report on Gundy @ OSU
Came out about 25 minutes ago the OSU is extending Gundy’s contract for 7 yrs for 15.7 mil. Which that is about 2.4 mil per year. He was only making 1.05 mil this year. This should be some kind of bench mark for Tech as well because if we give Leach 3 mil or so the that seems very fair in that comparison. Wreck’em Tech Keep Leach
by techgolf44 on Dec 5, 2008 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
…and they have T. Boone to thank for that…who, by the way, would be considered Tech’s top dog donor? Anyone know?
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm praying, [but not getting my hopes up] for Donald Trump...it would be good PR for him
This post is more of a pipe dream or humorous take on it than anything else…it’s comparable to buying lotto tickets
by TT4EVER on Dec 5, 2008 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn't Matter Any More
http://whatsthefuss.freedomblogging.com/
All of this is moot. Hello mediocracy again. We can expect more 7-5 seasons and Toilet Bowls to go to. Leach is going to Auburn…
Someone needs to fire Gerald Meyers. HE IS NOW THE WORST AD IN THE HISTORY OF TECH ATHLETICS and as far as I am concerned a piece of S*%t.
by Redraid1 on Dec 5, 2008 12:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, and we never landed on the moon!!
Leach hasn’t even interviewed. What about the other top candidates….do they get an interview? What about the many, more reputable, news stories?
I just don’t believe it.
by SenorSackRemembered on Dec 5, 2008 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I saw this
from a link on the Auburn blog. I think since nobody else in the media has picked this up, it’s probably not yet true. It was posted last night around 9 pm. Not to say it wouldn’t be true at some point. Also, it contradicts what the DMN said today – that Auburn notified Tech that Leach wasn’t a candidate anymore. Why Auburn would tell that to Tech is a mystery, but that’s what they’re reporting.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
just like...
The newest rumor concerning the UT coaching search involves Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach. A source of mine told me that he heard that a television station in Austin, Texas has leaked the information that Leach has been offered the head coaching job at Tennessee.
Circa mid-November. If neither school has announced anything, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, eh?
by HeeroTX on Dec 5, 2008 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Better check the date/time
That was from last night and from a Florida paper not a Alabama paper. Be very careful because if it were true other outlets would already have this as well. Also, this contradicts other “inside” reports that Leach isn’t even being considered. Auburn tried the Spread earlier this year and it last 7 games. The Athletic people in the SEC just can’t stomach the “gadget” offense. So I will not believe Leach to Auburn until I see him at the presser being introduced! Wreck’em Tech Keep Leach
by techgolf44 on Dec 5, 2008 1:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The only caveat to the Auburn spread thing…they were using a coordinator that was coaching high school last year. He was simply overmatched and didn’t have a good grasp of coaching in college. At least that’s what I’ve read regarding their failed attempt.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I am just cynical
Look. I think the only reason he withdrew from UW was to go to Auburn. I sincerely hope it’s not true. In fact it would devastate me. (my poor girlfirend wonders why my happiness depends on what a bunch of 18-22 year olds do on a field on a Saturday)
In case the worst does happen, who go we look to for next year to sail the pirate ship?
Any suggestions?
by Redraid1 on Dec 5, 2008 1:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he actually withdrew, I think he was turned down. Just my feeling on it.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
he withdrew before they could turn him down, as far as I know.
I’m guessing they told his agent and his agent said, we’re withdrawing.
by kayakyakr on Dec 5, 2008 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/80217?eref=sircrc&eref=fromSI
Since we’re all about posting nothing but rumormill websites, here’s my post of the day. I trust CNNSI.com so hopefully this is more accurate.
by WreckerRaider on Dec 5, 2008 1:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is interesting
Maybe Sark isn’t the UW guy just yet…or maybe he is.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-washington-coach&prov=ap&type=lgns
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 1:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-washington-coach&prov=ap&type=lgns
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t understand what you are saying, please explain. I’m not complaining, just need more info..so I don’t do the same thing.
by TT4EVER on Dec 5, 2008 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
traffic drives content, content drives traffic. The idea of the web is that other people, if they like what you have on your site, will send people to your site and you will do the same. Allows some people to make money and others to simply keep their sites alive.
It’s considered unkosher to copy-paste whole articles posted on another site (even if, in this case, it was AP). Instead, link the full article and use block quotes to set out what you would like to see.
If you would like, i can do a quick tutorial on how you can make hyperlinks and quotes in a fanpost, but i’m only going to do that if requested.
by kayakyakr on Dec 5, 2008 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I get it...
that’s why I tried to link twice. It didn’t work, so I took the liberty…life goes on.
by Tech92 on Dec 5, 2008 8:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ok, I get why, but not how
Consider The Tutorial Requested…or is all of this explained(but ignored by me) when creating a New Fanpost
by TT4EVER on Dec 5, 2008 8:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My take on this is that much of it was intentionally caused by that snake-in-the-grass parasite agent. By releasing only a document or two (carefully selected I might add), his goal was to get everybody on Myers’ back and to see him as dismissive of Leach. Maybe that’s true and maybe it’s not, but I’m not making a call until I see more than that snake leaked to the papers. Any time you have a series of communications back and forth, you can always pick one out of context that totally misrepresents the whole. For all we know, Myers was baited into saying Leach could go elsewhere by a series of threatening extortion letters from the agent. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen manipulation like that.
by TT_ on Dec 5, 2008 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good point
TT I agree with you. Also, from my experience news channel 11 and Buckethead Avner have never been friends or well wishers of Tech. If you watch that news channel all they cover is weather (about 75% of the news) and high school sports. They only cover Tech if something bad happens. When Tech wins some games they just mention it briefly and in last 8 years I have never seen them cover it in detail. Fox News is a much more legitimate news source for Lubbock. It’s kind of hilarious therefore that the only news channel that would accept to broadcast this distorted information from the snake in the grass agent, is the snake oil selling Avner & Co.
by jef on Dec 5, 2008 5:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Houston Nutt withdraws
Nutt has apparently agreed to a contract extension with Ole Miss:
http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2008/12/nutt_gets_contract_extension_b.html
by jef on Dec 5, 2008 5:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Gossip
Man I haven’t heard this much gossip since I was 3 and had to sit in the beauty shop waiting on my Mom. I am sure the beauty shop stuff had more fact behind it.
VIVA LA FIGA!
by bmaxw on Dec 5, 2008 10:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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