Friday, July 22, 2011

Let Mike Leach Coach Again

Mike Leach is a colorful, straightforward guy and college football needs colorful and straightforward characters. But Leach cannot land a job.

Texas Tech fired Leach in 2009 after he was accused of ordering Adam James (son of ESPN commentator Craig James) in an equipment closet. There were lawsuits and Leach is still trying to receive back pay from Texas Tech.

There are two or three sides to every story, but Leach’s view seems believable. He said that he didn’t order Adam James in the closet. We will probably never learn the full story, but obviously Leach and James was not a good match. Then you add a high-profile TV commentator (Craig James) to the equation and there was controversy and widespread media coverage and speculation.

I believe Leach deserves another chance. And he wants one too.

He forced people to talk about Texas Tech football. With his deep and colorful comments, high-powered offense and winning ways (84-43 over 10 seasons), Leach made the Red Raiders an item. He also apparently ran a clean program and graduated players.

Apparently, Maryland reached out to Leach about its opening after the 2010 season before hiring UConn’s Randy Edsall. Let’s hope there are more reach outs in Leach’s future.

No comments: