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.

Tony Bennett the Basketball Coach

There are two famous Tony Bennetts in the United States, but this is a piece about the less famous Bennett.

Most people have heard about the singer Tony Bennett. But there is also another Bennett laboring as head coach at the University of Virginia.

The basketball Bennett is having a tough season. In year two of his tenure at Virginia, Bennett’s team is just 12-12 and 3-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In all fairness, Virginia lacks bodies (injuries) and talent. In the ACC, you need talent or you go to the bottom of the league. It’s basically Duke and North Carolina on a yearly basis. Oh sure, there are exceptions with the likes of Georgia Tech, Maryland etc. occasionally, but this is generally a two-team league.

Bennett is a good coach. He did it at Washington State. He is building a basketball family at Virginia. Bennett needs time and better players. He needs patience from the administration and fans. This obviously will not be a quick fix. Will he be able to compete in a Duke-North Carolina dominated league? We wait for that answer.

I am a huge Tony Bennett supporter. I met the guy when he was playing professional basketball in New Zealand. I was impressed with his genuineness and humility. Word has it he is the same guy today.

Bennett will not failure due to lack of effort or love and care for his players. The guy is a winner no matter what happens.