Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach is known for being a character. The 48-year-old gained national notoriety during the 2007 college football season when he criticized Big 12 officials and, in turn, received a whopping $10,000 fine for his comments. Leach also made headlines for his comments about Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee, who had entered the NFL draft, saying the Dallas Cowboys coaches liked McGee more than his coaches at Texas A&M did.
Obviously, none of those comments went over well. Leach's mouth and personality already have him on a short leash at Texas Tech. News of his suspension by Texas Tech for alleged player abuse only makes matters worse. As of now, Leach will not coach in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, when Texas Tech faces Michigan State, reports the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
The allegations came from wide receiver Adam James's parents, who said their son had been mistreated. The report says the allegations include Leach's orders to make James—whose father, Craig, is a former NFL player and current ESPN commentator—stand in an electrical shed on December 17 and, two days later, in a dark room. Leach reportedly thought James was faking a concussion.
"We're going to do everything we can to see that our client is duly served justice and that he's reunited with his boys as soon as possible," Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, tells the Avalanche-Journal.
The school has already completed an initial investigation. Leach did not dispute the facts, but he also did not believe he did anything wrong, the report says. Leach had until Monday to write an apology, and he didn't, which led to his suspension.
"We obviously think the allegations are very serious," Jerry Turner, Texas Tech's Board of Regents vice chair, tells the Avalanche-Journal.
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Shawn of FL 1:58PM January 13, 2010
Martin Meltzer of NY 1:56PM January 13, 2010
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