February 18, 2009

West Texas Showdown: Tech Regents to decide Leach's future

As we noted earlier in the week, it looks like the beginning of the end of the Mike Leach era at Texas Tech.

Leach has called the bluff of Texas Tech officials, opting not to accept their take-it-or-leave-it deadline offer on Tuesday.

Now, as the tumbleweeds blow through Lubbock, a showdown looms.

To address the latest developments, Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers will hold a teleconference with the university Board of Regents on Friday to discuss issues "including but not limited to the position of the football head coach."

"Coach Leach has declined our $12.7 million contract," Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said in a statement Tuesday. "We will enter the decision-making process and should have some announcements by next week. Our decisions will be based on the best interest of Texas Tech and all of its supporters."

For his part, Leach is not worried about being fired - noting that he has an existing contract with two years remaining.

"... I don't see how that could be unsatisfactory to anybody. Why anybody would have a problem with two years left on my contract, I don't know."

Tech Chancellor Kent Hance has said on several occasions that if Leach didn't sign by the deadline, then the Red Raiders would simply withdraw their latest offer and continue with Leach's existing contract, which runs through 2010.

At this point, the options aren't good for Texas Tech.

They can give in to Leach's demands - not likely.

They can let Leach swing for two years - and probably cripple all of their recruiting momentum.

Or they can fire Leach outright - which CBS Sportsline's Dennis Dodd thinks is inevitable. If Texas Tech were to fire Leach, it would owe the head coach approximately $1.4 million in damages.

From a complete outsider's perspective, there ought to be enough room in the contract dispute for compromise. The fact that both TT and Leach are throwing down the gauntlet indicates that ego and emotion have tainted the negotiations, perhaps beyond repair.

Anything is possible, but I believe the Red Raiders will fire Leach (or give him a Tuberville-esque resignation).

Cancel the pirate invasions, Lubbock. That ship has sailed.

Comments:

West Texas Showdown: Tech Regents to decide Leach's future
As we noted earlier in the week, it looks like the beginning of the end of the Mike Leach era at Texas Tech. Leach has called the bluff of Texas Tech officials, opting not to accept their take-it-or-leave-it deadline offer on Tuesday. Now, as the tumbleweeds blow through Lubbock, a showdown looms. To address the latest developments, Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers will hold a teleconference with the university Board of Regents on Friday to discuss issues "including but not limited to the position of the football head coach."
"Coach Leach has declined our $12.7 million contract," Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said in a statement Tuesday. "We will enter the decision-making process and should have some announcements by next week. Our decisions will be based on the best interest of Texas Tech and all of its supporters."
For his part, Leach is not worried about being fired - noting that he has an existing contract with two years remaining.
"... I don't see how that could be unsatisfactory to anybody. Why anybody would have a problem with two years left on my contract, I don't know."
Tech Chancellor Kent Hance has said on several occasions that if Leach didn't sign by the deadline, then the Red Raiders would simply withdraw their latest offer and continue with Leach's existing contract, which runs through 2010. At this point, the options aren't good for Texas Tech. They can give in to Leach's demands - not likely. They can let Leach swing for two years - and probably cripple all of their recruiting momentum. Or they can fire Leach outright - which CBS Sportsline's Dennis Dodd thinks is inevitable. If Texas Tech were to fire Leach, it would owe the head coach approximately $1.4 million in damages. From a complete outsider's perspective, there ought to be enough room in the contract dispute for compromise. The fact that both TT and Leach are throwing down the gauntlet indicates that ego and emotion have tainted the negotiations, perhaps beyond repair. Anything is possible, but I believe the Red Raiders will fire Leach (or give him a Tuberville-esque resignation). Cancel the pirate invasions, Lubbock. That ship has sailed.