Mike Leach could be out at Texas Tech by Friday.

[Condem]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/big12/0-7-98/Leach-s-contract-impasse-overshadows-Tech-s-recent-surge.html That's only part of the story. Word is the University of Tennessee wouldn't hesitate to get rid of Kiffin to hire Leach. UT is already investigating recruiting violations by Kiffin, internally. Have to keep a close eye on this one, forumites.

[Longhorn Liberal]

1. Tech would be a fool to get rid of Leach, Tennessee would be a fool to hire him

He's a perfect fit for a school that did not matter before he got there. He's successful in Lubbock because he gets the second-tier recruits in the state that Texas and Oklahoma pass over but are nonetheless still great players.

The state of Tennessee lacks that depth of talent and if he can't compete with Texas and OU in Texas he won't compete against the big three in Florida and every other SEC program across the southeast.

Take Leach out of Lubbock and Tech goes back to being an easy win for everyone...including A&M.

[happyiowan]

2. Word is that Tennessee is beyond embarrassed by Kiffin.

Looking for ANY reason to dismiss him.

[TZ]

3. Why would TT get rid of the coach that MADE that football progam

Good god this sounds idiotic.

[Condem]

4. Probably because they don't want the perception, TZ...

... of a big time athletic program running roughshod over a university. Just a guess.

[BOSSHOG]

8. Texas Tech is a University???

with classrooms and stuff??

[Condem]

10. Been looking for ya, BOSSHOG

Mitch Mustain's name came up, last night. Transferred from Arkansas to USC. Didn't he have a meddling dad that drove Nutt nuts?

[BOSSHOG]

13. Yes

Mitch Mustains family and synchophants were the prima donna parade that ran off a very good coach. Nutt gave Daddy Mustain a job but baby boy lost the starting job to one of the Dick Boys his freshman year. A year long and intense pouting session began. Daddy took his ball and left for Tulsa. Baby Boy went to the left coast to sit on the bench out there. Whining Hog fans wouldn't give up. I'm glad Nutt left. A large contingent of Hog Fans do not deserve him.

[Condem]

22. Thank you , BOSSHOG

I thought that was the deal. A similiar case at Iowa. Not nearly as drastic.

[PVnRT]

11. I'm shocked as well

I thought they just added "Tech" to the school's name to make it sound like a legitimate university.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Because he interviewed with the U of WA without telling them.

This is basically a pissing match between the athletic director and Coach Leach.

[fishwax]

5. It's a pretty bizarre situation

I can understand why Tech might bristle at Leach's annual flirtations with other teams, but I can't believe they're letting it come to this. Leach made the program--Tech had won more than 7 games exactly once in the ten years before he showed up, and that included several years playing in the crumbling Southwest Conference.

[Condem]

6. Well, fishwax

BC didn't hesitate in firing what's-his-name. Maybe they started a trend.

[fishwax]

9. the odd thing is, he hasn't really had a lot of interviews

Every year he's mentioned for openings, but he doesn't actually interview all that much. I read today that the interview with Washington was his first actual interview in three years. And part of the reason that he was more active in seeking a position this year is that he couldn't get them to renegotiate before the end of the season.

BC may have indeed started a trend, but Tech it would be monumentally stupid to get on board at the moment.

[underpants]

12. The university wants 12% of his speaking fees?

that seems odd

I wouldn't agree to that either.

BTW- Notre Dame is sitting out there (soon). Tennessee might very well be too (Kiffin looks to be a disaster already)

[fishwax]

15. actually, the 12% is a different figure--they want to control ALL his speaking fees

From what I understand, they basically want all income from his personal property rights (speaking, book deals, etc.) to go to the university, and then they would apparently pay him something for his troubles from that fund (I'm not sure how the amount would be determined). It's so weird that I would have a hard time not viewing it as a deliberate insult. It seems like the kind of provision you slap on the award contract for the winner of a reality show.

I think the 12% figure was the guarantee on the contract. (His current contract guarantees 40%.)

"Tennessee might very well be too (Kiffin looks to be a disaster already)"
Boy, isn't that the truth--another bizarre bit of business, that one ...

[hughee99]

16. That's what I heard this morning...

12% of the contract is guaranteed and ALL the proceeds from "personal licensing", speaking fees, book deals and such go to the university. If he hustles enough (appearances and books and such) the school could well ended up paying him to coach with the money HE makes on the side, though there doesn't seem to be any incentive for him to do any of this.

I'm not normally one to side with I guy being offered a couple million a year, but this (if true) is downright insulting.

[underpants]

18. As I posted below

sounds like they are trying to get him to quit or make him look "difficult" giving them reason to fire him as least in a PR sense-they should still have to pay him unless he signed a contract that should get his lawyer fired.

[underpants]

17. Then he is gone

they threw that on the contract simply to make him either turn it down, this is an extention as I understand it-he has 2 years left on his current....oh they are trying to make HIM leave and not have to fire him

They either must not like him a lot a LOT or he is doing something they don't like. I know of two basketball coaches (one REALLY successful) who got run out of town for oh let's say being overly curious with the women in town.

[hughee99]

19. That's what I figured...

I'm just curious, they seemed upset about him talking to other teams. That must just be "for show" since him leaving for another team would get him out of town without having to pay him.

[cobalt1999]

14. Two big egos between the AD & Leach with room for only one.

Either the TT president & board dump the AD or Leach. I would bet Leach is gone.

[Jack from Charlotte]

20. Leach, TT reach agreement......

Don't have the link but Dallas paper said Leach met with the TT pres. alone for 3 hours and they did a deal. No agent no AD.

Seems as though winning football games at the highest rate ever at TT plus graduating your players.... just might have been more a factor than all that other.... important stuff.

Congrats to TT. You avoided doing the stupidest firing I think I could recall in college football.

[Condem]

21. Poor Tennessee.

Stuck with Kiffin.

[happyiowan]

23. Going to be a very interesting year in the SEC.

Looking forward to it.

[cobalt1999]

24. No AD?

Sounds like someone lost the power struggle. No way the AD can stay on there now.

[Condem]

25. You nailed it, cobalt

Gone.

[Capt. America]

26. You avoided doing the stupidest firing I think I could recall in college football.

See: Auburn and Tuberville.