LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech fired Mike Leach on Wednesday after the coach took the school to court to try to overturn his suspension for alleged mistreatment of an injured player.
“I’m very sad to say there’s only one person to blame for this and it’s Mike Leach,” Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance said.
Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the university system’s board of regents, said “other things” came to light during an investigation of Leach’s treatment of receiver Adam James. The sophomore alleged the coach twice confined him to a small, dark place after the player was diagnosed with a concussion.
Turner declined to elaborate about the other issues.
Leach was suspended Monday after he refused to agree to guidelines for dealing with players set forth by his bosses in a Dec. 23 letter.
When Leach decided to fight the university in court “in defiance” of his suspension, that’s why “we are where we are,” Turner said.
Leach was in San Antonio with his team, which is preparing for the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State on Saturday.
He left the team’s hotel while his interim replacement, defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, was holding a news conference.
Approached by a reporter, Leach said “no comment” before being asked a question. Asked how he felt Texas Tech treated him throughout the last two weeks, Leach responded, “I think that’s apparent.”
Texas Tech’s official statement said Leach’s recent actions made it impossible for him to remain coach of the Red Raiders.
“In a defiant act of insubordination, Coach Leach continually refused to cooperate in a meaningful way to help resolve the complaint. He also refused to obey a suspension order and instead sued Texas Tech University,” the statement said.
Leach later released a statement to some media outlets.
“Texas Tech’s decision to deal in lies and fabricate a story which led to my firing includes, but is not limited by, the animosity remaining from last year’s contract negotiations. I will not tolerate such retaliatory action. Additionally, we will pursue all available legal remedies,” Leach said in the statement, according to media reports.
The school on Wednesday gave a termination letter to Leach’s attorney, Ted Liggett, minutes before the two sides were to appear in court for a hearing on the coach’s request to be allowed to lead his team in the Alamo Bowl.
Wide receiver Tramain Swindall said he supported the decision to fire Leach.
“I do agree and I’m supporting Adam because it’s the right thing to do,” Swindall said.
Swindall said he believes Leach was at times out of line in how he treated players.
“And so do most of the players,” he said. “It wasn’t just about Adam. It was always a negative vibe.”
James is the son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Craig James.
“We appreciate that the university conducted a fair and thorough investigation,” the James family said in a statement. “From the family’s point of view this has always been about the safety and well-being of our son and of all the players on the team.”
Mike Leach’s coaching record
Year Team All Big 12
2000 Texas Tech 7-6 3-5
2001 Texas Tech 7-5 4-4
2002 Texas Tech 9-5 5-3
2003 Texas Tech 8-5 4-4
2004 Texas Tech 8-4 5-3
2005 Texas Tech 9-3 6-2
2006 Texas Tech 8-5 4-4
2007 Texas Tech 9-4 4-4
2008 Texas Tech 11-2 7-1
2009 Texas Tech 8-4 5-3
Totals 84-43 47-33
Bowl record: 5-4
