These sordid Mike Leach contract negotiations with Texas Tech has rightfully become a national and embarrassing joke. And regardless of who's the blame that it has reached such low levels doesn't excuse the obvious.
Leach deserves a raise and more latitude. And here's why.
For three straight games last fall in Big 12 contests against Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, Leach's Red Raiders were involved in the No. 1 college game of the week that was shown nationally during ABC's prime time 7 o'clock hour. That's mega money and extraordinary attention for Tech.
On top of that, the Raiders had their highest ranking ever (No. 2), tied for their most wins ever (11) , graduated 80 percent of their players this season, had two legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates in Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, and were profiled in a positive light on the nationally acclaimed 60 Minutes TV show.
All of this came under Leach's watch.
Isn't that the kind of coach colleges cater to? Isn't that the kind of coach that should be able to get whatever he wants _ within reason _ from his university?
But that hasn't been the case with Leach, and it's still a mystery why he isn't shown much respect from the powers that be at Tech. Especially since Leach is constantly trying to match wits with national powers Texas and Oklahoma while playing basically with Texas' jayvee squad.
Now I'm all for Leach notifying his bosses when another school wants to interview him for a job. But for Tech to think they deserve to own the personal property rights, plus collect every dime from the naming rights and likeness of their football coach, and speaking appearances that he makes is way, way out of line.
Leach and a friend of his who is a writer grew up together in Wyoming, and are currently working on a book that will be released in August chronicling the coach's life. Do you honestly think Tech deserves all the proceeds from that book?
Tech has given Leach until Tuesday to decide whether he's going to accept their five-year, $12.7 million offer, or continue working under his current contract, which has two years remaining on it.
My hunch is Leach won't sign the contract Tuesday, and he'll be coaching somewhere else after next season. And when he's gone, football won't be the same at Tech.
If Leach winds up at a college that's the No. 1 school in that state _ where he can hand-pick the type of talent UT and OU regularly gets _ the rest of the country better watch out. Only then will the folks at Tech realize they should have given Leach whatever he wanted.
Tech had its best recruiting class earlier this month since Leach arrived in Lubbock in 2000. Those players are there because of Mike Leach.
And if Leach isn't at Tech after next season, some of those same players will leave Tech because of Mike Leach. The powers that be at Tech must remember that.
_ Dwain Price
Comments