Sad Situation at Washington State

Washington State coach Mike Leach is no stranger to controversy. And the pass-happy, offensive-minded head man is in trouble again.

Former Washington State wide receiver Marquess Wilson has accused the first-year coach and his staff of abuse. The Pac-12 Conference has instigated a review of the matter.

Leach was fired from his previous job at Texas Tech based on another alleged abuse charge. Former NFL and college running back Craig James’ son claimed Leach had James’ son locked up in an equipment room.

Washington State paid Leach big money to come to Pullman. He’s making about $2 million per year. So far things are not looking good with the investment. Leach has the Cougars off to a terrible 2-8 record and now the abuse charge.

Leach could be innocent of the charge. Maybe Wilson didn’t like the way Leach changed the football program from the previous administration and he just wanted to cause trouble. Maybe Wilson is correct with his charge and Leach should require disciplinary action.

But here’s the case: Leach has a spotty record in player relations and that’s why Washington State has reached this point. If Leach is guilty, his disciplinary action could be a firing.

Will Leach lose his job?

Congratulations Mike Leach

It was only a matter of time before Mike Leach would return to the college coaching ranks. And I say congratulations.

Leach was named head football coach at Washington State this week. He had been away from the coach sidelines for a couple years after getting fired at Texas Tech. He led the Red Raiders to a bowl game every season he was there (I believe 10), but fell out of favor with the administration over an incident with the son of ESPN commentator Craig James. Leach was accused of ordering James’ son locked up in equipment shed.

But I ‘m glad Leach can leave that behind now and concentrate on coaching football. Hopefully, the guy will put Washington State on the football map.

Leach is a sportswriter’s dream. He is a quote machine. He’s smart. He’s entertaining. He coaches entertaining offensive football. It’s tough to not enjoy covering Leach’s teams.

The coach will fit in nicely with the pass-happy Pac-12 teams. He loves to spread the field and put up wild offense numbers Leach loves those 55-47 games. Isn’t the objective of football scoring the most points?

I believe Leach will win at Washington State. He might even throw in a quote of two from Winston Churchill for good measure.

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.