TT's Mike Leach Suspended

[smupony94]

I don't even want to know how you managed to find that picture.

Googled stallion pirate outfits

[VarsityShop]

Looks like Leach may sue to allow him to coach bowl game.

[ponyboy]

What kind of standing might he possibly have?

[BRStang]

ESPN reported earlier about the injunction (TRO) to be filed by Leach and that TT may be weighing its options and may can him within 24 hours "for cause." I guess the fact that Leach gets a $800K bonus if he is still coaching on Dec. 31 per his contract may be influencing that process.

[d_pony]

ponyte - sorry about reading your post so fast - it did go right over my head - i should have known better seeing it was from you

[ender3]

Chalk me up on the "Please oh please Lord do not let Adam James come to SMU" crowd.

a) I don't think he's a good fit, skills-wise, in the run and shoot.
b) I don't think he's a good fit, attitude and work ethic-wise, with our team and our coach.
c) His father, while a great college running back, and a passable commentator, is a known father with "little league syndrome" providing a ton of "input" about how the program is run, and how his son is utilized.

While I'm certain June could handle c), it would be a distraction given Craig's status in the media and at SMU.

Sources point out that b) had been an issue with Adam almost from the moment he stepped on campus at Tech. This could certainly be exaggerated if he never hit it off with the coach (or it could be the REASON he didn't hit it off with the coach).

As far as a) Adam's skills seem best suited to a small tight end role, and yet he seems attracted to programs that do not run with a tight end. Why not consider a school that runs a more traditional offense? Or possibly a smaller school, where he could be an absolute standout (if he entertains ideas of trying to play professionally)?

While going to your dad's school holds an understandable appeal (heck, *I* did it), I'm not quite sure I understand Adam's attractions to football programs that don't appear to be a good fit for his abilities.

[MrMustang1965]

Maybe Adam James will go to Sam Houston State.

[Stallion]

glad to see you bought every thing a desperate Pirate walking the plank said. The most obnoxious part of this entire episode is how Leach who obviously has been caught acting like a Moron has decided to trash the reputation of a student athlete rather than defending the use of his own discipline techniques. Coaches do this all the time to deflect criticm of their own stupidity. And guys like you can't see through that tactic and buy everything he and his attorney says. I find Leach's trashing of kid noncredible since he had been a virtual walkon-actually greyshirt playing almost from the beginning of career. Adam James appears to be an overacheiver if anything-I certainly never thoght he would hit the field. But now Adam James is a 20 year Pirrahah at his own university. Why is that again-because he had a medically diagnosed concussion. Pathetic. Keep your eye on the ball-ie Leach's discipline techniques are the issue

[ponyte]

This issue isn't Leach's discipline, the issue is getting caught. Had this occurred to any other player (one whose father isn't a national media star), then nothing comes of it. The fact that this incident was made public put TTU in a bind. And that would not have happened to any other kid except James’. Without media coverage, sweeping this under the rug is easy even by Sand Aggie standards.

TTU is stalling to make sure there isn’t a media explosion (like video film of abuse) that could come out. If nothing is found, then Leach gets a really serious 'Don't ever do that again' speech.

Leach has put TTU on the map. Without him the program sinks back into obscurity. TTU will protect Leach to the extent that it can. Adam will be sacrificed and James will be pillared. Doesn't matter so long as TTU gets to keep Leach.

[jtstang]

That's fine. He and Lubbock deserve each other.

[ender3]

Actually, I'm not a Mike Leach fan in the least (Much to my wife's chagrin, she's a Tech grad). My money would be on him being fired before the end of the week, so that Tech can save the money.

Most of my criticism was not based upon Leach's comments at all.

a) Scout.com has him listed as a tight end. He runs a 4.6 40, which is a touch slow for a wide receiver (albeit much, much faster than I can run). He's never been a prolific pass catcher, he averaged about 2 a game for his career in high school. I stand by my claim that I think this offensive style (at both SMU and Tech) is a bad fit for his talents.
b) This claim has haunted him a bit even from high school. While Mike Leach may have said this publicly, I didn't recall it. Teammates have been pretty open in their criticism, and I remember this being a dark mark on his record when he came out of high school, and considered SMU the first time around.
c) Dad being more active that a college parent should be *is* based on comments from Leach, I guess. Although again, this same complaint has followed Craig since FAR earlier in Adam's career. Having dealt with other NFL children in youth football programs, I find the claim credible. Although I have never dealt with Craig personally, I guess he is guilty by association due to the behavior of other NFL football dads.

I really don't have anything against Adam. I think his talents would be better utilized in another offensive system, and I'd prefer not to deal with the possible distraction of his father.

[ender3]

And please, don't interpret my comments as any sort of backhanded support for Mike Leach.

If the event unfolded as has been described (to be fair, we've heard conflicting reports), locking a player in a closet (of any size) is a reason for unconditional dismissal.

[BRStang]

Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, on ESPN now being interviewed over the phone. Spewing all sorts of cr@p and sounding like an idiot. When he gets a hard question, he says, "I'm not the one to answer that..." Says basically that he guesses Adam James is "not happy" with the playing time he is gettign so he is making up the allegations. Trying to whitewash Leach's disciplinary tactics and make its sound like Adam was put in the shed b/c Leach was concerned about him. What an @ss.

As an attorney, I cannot understand why this idiot (Liggett) is on ESPN blabbing a bunch of stupidity and second-hand info. He is saying a bunch of stuff that could come back to bite his client. WOW. Should have just issued an appropriately worded statement on behalf of Leach.

EDIT: Now he just called Craig James a "helicopter dad."

[Stallion]

these are the exact irrelevant and immaterial "issues" raised on the Tech board. again, the issue for those that can not follow the ball is-was Mike Leach justified in using the disciplinary techniques used on Adam James. I really don't think he should be fired but he should accept his reprimmand and shut the hell up. And if he can't justify or adjust his discilplinary techniques he should quit.

[ponyte]

Just wondering, if Leach has nothing to worry about, why all the hard work by his attorney to get air time on TV? Would not the attorney’s time be better spent preparing what has to be a hastily prepared motion for a temporary restraining order? And it doesn't matter what the attorney says about the kid or his father, a judge will make a ruling based on the merits of the case presented to him/her, not on wild-eyed accusations made on the TV.

It just seems surreal that Leach isn’t spending his time and money on his attorney getting the best case possible prepared for a judge’s ruling.