I am scared too seth, but I did read a great article in texas highways on Leach. He really did seem to enjoy Tech, Lubbock, and his coaching job. If he does go he has boosted the program to where we can get a good replacement. I do think we are married to the spread offense. If any other offense comes in it will kill this school bc that would be about 8 years of recruiting down the drain. However I do feel that Leach is a respectable guy. Tech gave him his first head coaching job, he does have more freedom than most coaches here, and about 95% of his team is coming back next year. I am about 90% sure he will stay, but there is that other 10%.

I don't think he will get this kind of money at UCLA. From what I have heard on their blogs their AD doesn't pay very well. This maybe to our advantage since they would have to buyout his contract. I also think myers needs to just give him a raise to keep him hear and keep his head out of the clouds. Maybe even an anchor chain to keep him from even leaving the athletic facilities.

Something really pissed Leach off, He will not take the UCLA job.

I go back to what Leach said some years ago after the California win when he was heavily recruited to leave Tech.

He said that he would consider the BYU job if they offered and with the right kind of compensation.

He also said he would consider coaching in California. WHO? USC.

He turned down jobs that did offer a bit more money than Tech. So its not about the money in general. Leach does like Lubbock. Lubbock like it or not has an extremely large Mormon population and has one of 5 Temples outside of Utah.

Right now I am not worried about the UCLA job. Under the employment rules, UCLA has to ask Texas Tech specifically Myers to talk with Leach. Otherwise, UCLA could face a fine not only by the NCAA but there is other issue which the Coach could get into trouble. Look to LSU. Michigan had to ask LSU permission to approach their coach. Same is true here.

Leach is always on a short list every year! I am glad that he is! I also think that Tech needs to improve his contract in 2009 when it comes up for renewal. Right now, Leach makes roughly, 2.5 million here in Lubbock. Thats pretty respectible. That puts Leach in the top 15 in the nation. I do think that Leach if he does win the Big 12 next year, that he should get the famed comment he made of the Million dollar Baby contract. Meaning that his base salary is 1 million or better. The program can afford it.

The Football program allows for 14.6 million in salaries right now. The current salaries are not that high. but this should give you the potiential of what Tech could do in contract renewal if Leach does step up to the plate and fixes the defense by making the smart choice of DC to the point that Tech really kills their oppents rather than just ride a roller coaster of a season.

When will I really be worried? If the contract renewal is kind of poor after Leach has delivered.

I would suggest that everyone click on Leach's contract to see what Tech expected Leach to achieve by Dec 2009. 9-3 season at min or a Big 12 title.

Leach is expected to get to the 9-3 as a common season finish.  Also Leach is expected to get at least on Big 12 Title.

Expect to see the National Title clause to be inserted into the new renewal contract in 2009.

But for now people should relax. UCLA although has said they wanted Leach, So did Alabama who offered an ungodly amount of money. The most in the NCAA for head coach. I am not suprised that Leach at least looked. Why not as Coach to look at what the guy who would earn the most get in compensation. It just helps Leach to ask for more in a renewal later. But people seem to forget that Leach was listed for several coaching positions across the nation every year. Leach himself said that 90% of them were suprises to him as the schools never actually approached him.

What would be of suprise is if UCLA actually did contact Leach officially. They may have done it unofficially but that could be a problem for both.  But as far as I know UCLA has not officially contacted Mike. That could change but honestly, I just do not see Leach leaving Lubbock right now. UCLA money wise is actually on par with Tech. So there is no huge jump in money. Take a look at the UCLA budget. They honestly just do not have the deep pockets right now just to offer a huge bonus to Leach or more than a maybe $50,000 more a year in base. It not as simple as it once was. NCAA rules and State hiring practices prevents individuals from suddently paying huge amounts of money to a program. Although, there is people known as friends of the University who helps unvirsities with building projects and logistics. But actual cash transaction into a program either for a coach or players is forbidden. True there are ways around that. But its just not likely.

From a friend who is a prof at UCLA who was a buddy to college together, tells me that all the major alumi there are pushing for Mariucci. The fact that an alumi has sent two times for Mariucci to fly out to California via alumi private jet to meet with both school and alumi tells how hard they are trying to get him.  As for Leach, he is the preverbial what if coach.  Peterson is on the list and he really wants to leave Boise State. He has made it very clear that he is wanting to be in the Pac 10. I think its a general.

From my understanding, the short list is Mariucci then Peterson then Walker then Leach then Neuheisel. No one at UCLA right now wants Neuheisel. So he is the preverbial out of the running. Leach is the safety valve they think they have.  If they are nor careful, they will be like Michigan an have all their short list turn them down.

Let me start by saying I love Coach Leach and all the he has done for the program.  At the same time I'm sick and tired of wondering if he'll stay or if he'll go.  How about a little loyalty to the school and fans who gave you a shot when everyone else thought you were too quirky?  It would seem real easy for Coach Leach to simply say that he is flattered by all the talk, but he is staying put.  

I also wonder what effect the rumors of his leaving has on recruiting every year?  Has anyone thought of asking one of the heavily recruited kids to see what he has told them about the 2008 season?  

Maybe instead of worrying every year about what OUR future holds, we should show Coach Leach the door and go about the business of finding someone who can continue to take the program in the direction that Coach Leach has it headed.  I mean it is going to happen eventually, right?

That being said, who should we get?  Does anyone have any thoughts on the Tulane coach?  What about the OC from Florida?  Just two quick guys that seem to know a little about offense too.

was before he was a coach at Oklahoma.  That is ancient history. Leach was considered a rookie coach when he applied for the job.

Let me repeat what I said before, Leach is here to stay!

Only if and I used the words IF!, Leach was to leave Tech is based on three things.

1. Tech pisses him off by some reason or another.
2. BYU offers and puts up a huge amount of money which they can't do right now. ( Leach said that they can't put up the money he was wanting from them)
3. USC offered for Him

If those three things do not happen, then He stays in Lubbock. Those are from his own lips!

Leach expects to stay in Lubbock for several years to come. He has even talked about retirement out of Tech. So people need not get too caught up in these yearly rumor lists that he is on.

True he may be on several lists. But the truth is that most schools do not contact all the people on their lists.

Many people when a job opens up produce a list of coaches they would like to see head up their school. From that list, they get serious. That's when you take note of the official requests and contacts of coaches.

Right now, Leach is the only coach on the so call short list that UCLA has not talked to. Although they have denied talking to anyone, the truth is that they have talked to three of those on the list. and the three they have talked to want the job at UCLA.  

In case you have forgotten who they have talked to about the head coaching job, it is Neuheisel, Walker and Perterson. Mariucci has met with the Alums twice and has been at a function with the UCLA administration who hires. More or less the Alums sending a notice of pretty much making their choice known.  I really do expect either Mariucci or Walker to get the job at UCLA. Those with money and power have made that pretty much clear.