But for now, I have something I'd like to get off my chest.
Many of you are about to tune out right now and I'm completely fine with that!
I don't necessarily intend for this to be my legacy to blog posting--it's more like a "Dear Diary moment" but I have such strong opinions about this whole Mike Leach firing fiasco that I'd like to put to paper (screen?).
If you've stuck with me this far, I'm assuming it's because you have a little bit of background on the story. If not….
Mike Leach was suspended last Monday, Dec.28 (the week of the Tech bowl game) for his alleged mistreatment of a player, Adam James, with a concussion during a practice. He filed a legal appeal in order to be able to coach the bowl game. The hearing was to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 30. As everyone was gathered in the courtroom, Leach's attorney received a letter from Tech administration stating that Leach had been fired.
Oh, one more small thing. Leach was due an $800K bonus if he was still the football coach on Dec. 31.
Here are my bullet points:
--As far as I'm concerned, Adam James is pretty much a non-issue. He's a spoiled, punk kid who made a mountain out of a molehill and was just the ammunition the Admins needed to fire Leach. Unfortunately, he also has a spoiled, punk dad who happens to work for
--The Texas Tech administrators are defending their decision to fire Leach based on the fact that he was "insubordinate". They back this up by saying that he wouldn't sign a "letter of apology" because of the Adam James situation. HERE is what they're calling the "letter of apology". Now, I'm no legalise (though Leach is), but I wouldn't sign this either. This was just something the Admins drafted to back him further into a corner.
--They also have been complaining recently that Leach has been "looking around" (for other possible coaching jobs) the past few years. I don’t get this. This is what coaches do. If you're looking around toward the end of your contract, you're deemed not loyal to your school; if you're not looking around, then you're deemed unmarketable. A damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.
--Also, this is an irritating remark to me because Leach certainly wasn't "looking around" after he was extended his contract by Tech. If this was so bothersome, why extend him a contract at all.
--Probably the most jaw-dropping element to this whole fiasco to me was the email exchange between Chancellor Kent Hance and big-money Tech donor James Sowell. The Dallas Morning News released many emails over a couple month period of time (Dec. 08 - Feb. 09 between the two in which they discussed (among other aspects) firing Leach within a year and getting out of having to pay his $800K bonus.
In the words of Mike Leach, "I had been pulling knives out of my own back for a year".
As a Texas Tech fan, I'm so disappointed. I'm saddened at how this all went down for Leach. Our administration ruined this man's name and reputation with no merit.
But, like Leach or hate him--this was a sad turn of events for our University. It proved that our Administration is untrustworthy and full of back-stabbers.
Some people have said, "no matter what, I still support Tech". I do, too.
BUT, I am no longer blindly loyal. I would like to trust that when I donate my money to Tech, that our administrators will make the best decisions with that money, and with this current administration in place I don't feel like that's being accomplished. Not that they'll miss my measley donation, but at any rate I'm ceasing my donations until Myers and Hance are gone.
Also, I realize that there is more to a university than the football team/coach. But, let's face it--universities aren't known for their awesome English literature programs. Nobody knows the name of the head of the Math department. 60 Minutes isn't calling to interview any Marketing professors. And, I don't recall seeing any Biochemistry professors on the cover of Texas Monthly.
I have a feeling that this will cost Texas Tech way more in the long run than if they had just paid Leach his $800K.
One the bright side, those of us that used to enjoy $99 season ticket prices might be able relive those glory days.
4 comments:
Agree. 100%. Hance and Meyers HAVE got to go!
There was actually a great article that my Mom referred me to in the Wichita Falls Times Record News the other day discussing the hypocracy of Meyers firing Leach but having been the one that hired Knight after all his bad deeds. I look for the link and send it out to you.
We at "Team Leach" are all keeping our fingers and toes crossed for Coach Leach! What a dirty, rotten, back-stabbing deal he got from Tech! I certainly know someone in our camp who would be happy to help him win his suit against Tech!
When I have a migraine, I welcome a dark room; I wouldn't care if it was a shed or an electrical closet if it was dark! Daddy's entitled little "girl," Adam, not so much!
Well put! Adams is a joke! ESPN was tiptoeing all around it and only reporting on one side of the story! It is so sad and there are no winners!
I too loved Leach!! I agree with all your comments.
We stopped giving when he became president because the University took over the Medical Schools donations. We love to donate to the graduate schools but we want to know that's where our cash is going.
As a general rule Tech doesn't have tons of "huge" donors so if they make all of the little guys mad they really will feel the pinch!!
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