Post by sharkie on Dec 30, 2009 11:41:48 GMT -7
UBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech fired coach Mike Leach on Wednesday, just two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of a player with a concussion.
Leach
Leach
The school handed a termination letter to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, just minutes before the two sides were to appear in a Lubbock courtroom for a hearing on the coach's suspension.
Liggett said the letter said Leach was "terminated with cause effective immediately."
In February, Leach and the school agreed to a five-year, $12.7 million contract. According to terms of the deal, Leach was due an $800,000 bonus on Dec. 31 if he were still the head coach at Texas Tech.
Leach was suspended by the university on Monday after receiver Adam James alleged the coach twice confined him to small, dark spaces while the practiced.
James is the son of former NFL player and ESPN college football analyst Craig James.
Texas Tech plays Michigan State on Saturday in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
In an affidavit included with his injunction request to coach the Red Raiders in the Alamo Bowl, Leach said he "would never intentionally harm or endanger a player" and that he had been "forced into this situation without being afforded any process."
He wrote "absolutely" no evidence had been given to him that showed he had violated any university rules or standards.
"I have never and would never intentionally harm or endanger a player. I am committed to Texas Tech University and the well being of my football players. I have been forced into this situation without being afforded any process," he said. "Not being allowed to coach immediately will cause irreparable harm because preparation for the game is ongoing and it will be over on January 2, 2009. Every minute of preparation is critical to be ready for the game."
Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill was chosen by the university to be Texas Tech's interim coach against Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
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 got 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.
sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4781981
Leach
Leach
The school handed a termination letter to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, just minutes before the two sides were to appear in a Lubbock courtroom for a hearing on the coach's suspension.
Liggett said the letter said Leach was "terminated with cause effective immediately."
In February, Leach and the school agreed to a five-year, $12.7 million contract. According to terms of the deal, Leach was due an $800,000 bonus on Dec. 31 if he were still the head coach at Texas Tech.
Leach was suspended by the university on Monday after receiver Adam James alleged the coach twice confined him to small, dark spaces while the practiced.
James is the son of former NFL player and ESPN college football analyst Craig James.
Texas Tech plays Michigan State on Saturday in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
In an affidavit included with his injunction request to coach the Red Raiders in the Alamo Bowl, Leach said he "would never intentionally harm or endanger a player" and that he had been "forced into this situation without being afforded any process."
He wrote "absolutely" no evidence had been given to him that showed he had violated any university rules or standards.
"I have never and would never intentionally harm or endanger a player. I am committed to Texas Tech University and the well being of my football players. I have been forced into this situation without being afforded any process," he said. "Not being allowed to coach immediately will cause irreparable harm because preparation for the game is ongoing and it will be over on January 2, 2009. Every minute of preparation is critical to be ready for the game."
Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill was chosen by the university to be Texas Tech's interim coach against Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
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 got 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.
sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4781981