Just a buncha good ol boys over yonder, statin' they really dont care for his kine. 'Spite all he done good for the folks 'round here, he done crossed them one too many times. This town just aint big 'nuff for the both of em.
Kind of confusing? Did you have to read it twice to make sure you understood what jumbled mess you were trying to comprehend? I felt the same way when I read the headlines that Texas Tech was firing Mike Leach.
Thanks to a group of men with runny noses and boo boo's on their knees, the most successful coach in Texas Tech history (by a long-shot) was sent packing out of town, down that old dusty road, never to be heard from again.
You can’t build the biggest house on the block if you don't have the funds for it and in college football, it’s all about money with powerhouses. The Texas Tech brass was kidding themselves when they believed they had enough resources for their football program to dismiss a coach like Mike Leach. He turned an average program into a perennial Top 25 contender and a bowl eligible machine every year. Just ask the beloved former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes just how hard that is to do.
Texas Tech fans LOVED Dykes and his accomplishments, but his program was a fart in a windstorm compared to Leach's.
Spike Dykes (13 Seasons)
- 82-67-1 (54.7%)
- 7 bowls (2-5)
- 2 season of 8+ wins
-Finished nationally ranked twice
Mike Leach (10 Seasons)
- 84-43 (66.1%)
- 10 bowls (6-4) *Includes the 2009 Alamo Bowl
- 8 seasons of 8+ wins
- Finished nationally ranked five times
This shows how successful Leach was at Texas Tech and why the friction he received from the Tech board members was ridiculous. This is the same group that gave Tuberville a 500K raise to $2 million a year after his first season at Tech, where he went 8-5 (3-5).
Yes, I'm rolling my eyes.
Leach's success stems from his ability to be open minded when it comes to the X's and O's of football. Since his firing, he's been spending his time in coaching exile by traveling to different college and NFL programs to expand his knowledge of the game, both tactical and situational.
Trust me when I say this, Mike Leach expanding his football mind is a scary thought for his future opponents. Now, all that remains is to find a football program that wants what Leach brings to the table.
You know, a scandal free environment that graduates more players than any other public institution in the country, while still managing to compete for conference titles and defeating national powers in their home stadium that is filled to capacity with fans watching the most exciting offense in the country. A program where, every year, the football team is the only group of students left on campus during Winter break because they have a bowl game to prepare for, while 60 Minutes is at practice filming for a national spot about your football team.
It shouldn't be too hard to find a program that desires those qualities, right?
Kind of confusing? Did you have to read it twice to make sure you understood what jumbled mess you were trying to comprehend? I felt the same way when I read the headlines that Texas Tech was firing Mike Leach.
Thanks to a group of men with runny noses and boo boo's on their knees, the most successful coach in Texas Tech history (by a long-shot) was sent packing out of town, down that old dusty road, never to be heard from again.
You can’t build the biggest house on the block if you don't have the funds for it and in college football, it’s all about money with powerhouses. The Texas Tech brass was kidding themselves when they believed they had enough resources for their football program to dismiss a coach like Mike Leach. He turned an average program into a perennial Top 25 contender and a bowl eligible machine every year. Just ask the beloved former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes just how hard that is to do.
Texas Tech fans LOVED Dykes and his accomplishments, but his program was a fart in a windstorm compared to Leach's.
Spike Dykes (13 Seasons)
- 82-67-1 (54.7%)
- 7 bowls (2-5)
- 2 season of 8+ wins
-Finished nationally ranked twice
Mike Leach (10 Seasons)
- 84-43 (66.1%)
- 10 bowls (6-4) *Includes the 2009 Alamo Bowl
- 8 seasons of 8+ wins
- Finished nationally ranked five times
This shows how successful Leach was at Texas Tech and why the friction he received from the Tech board members was ridiculous. This is the same group that gave Tuberville a 500K raise to $2 million a year after his first season at Tech, where he went 8-5 (3-5).
Yes, I'm rolling my eyes.
Leach's success stems from his ability to be open minded when it comes to the X's and O's of football. Since his firing, he's been spending his time in coaching exile by traveling to different college and NFL programs to expand his knowledge of the game, both tactical and situational.
Trust me when I say this, Mike Leach expanding his football mind is a scary thought for his future opponents. Now, all that remains is to find a football program that wants what Leach brings to the table.
You know, a scandal free environment that graduates more players than any other public institution in the country, while still managing to compete for conference titles and defeating national powers in their home stadium that is filled to capacity with fans watching the most exciting offense in the country. A program where, every year, the football team is the only group of students left on campus during Winter break because they have a bowl game to prepare for, while 60 Minutes is at practice filming for a national spot about your football team.
It shouldn't be too hard to find a program that desires those qualities, right?
Rick Neuheisel came into his alma matter with a thunderous voice claiming the “The Football Monopoly in LA was officially over”. It’s unclear which version of the board game he's playing, but it seems UCLA is stuck on Baltic Avenue while cross town rival, USC, is building hotels on Boardwalk.
UCLA’s combined 15-22 (8-19) record in three seasons is enough to put Neuheisel on the hot seat in 2011. Add in the fact he is 0-3 against USC, by a combined score of 84-28, is rubbing salt in the wounds.
Neuheisel has recruited plenty of talent to UCLA since he was hired in 2008. According to Rivals, UCLA had the 13th, 14th, and 8th ranked recruiting classes in the nation from 2008-2010, respectively. It’s alarming to see such a lack of production with that type of talent at your disposal. It’s even more alarming that after three straight years of top 15 recruiting classes, UCLA’s class ranked 45th in 2011 and currently sits at 43rd in 2012.
With a plunge like that, you have to wonder if Neuheisel’s initial exuberance has been relegated to mere murmur in the recruiting game. Either way, the safety of his job will depend on wins and losses rather than the arbitrary bragging rights that are recruiting rankings.
Why: From 2000-2010 UCLA is a combined 70-64 (43-50), only one season over 7 wins, and ended the season nationally ranked once.
Mike Leach from 2000-2009 at Texas Tech was 84-43 (47-33), never had a season less than 7 wins (never less than 8 from 2002-2010), and finished a season nationally ranked 5 times.
Seems like a consistency this once prominent program should desire.
Seems like a consistency this once prominent program should desire.
UCLA’s AD, Dan Guerrero, decided to crank up the heat on Neuheisel in January stating, “Rick knows there is maybe one shot to straighten it out.” Even though Neuheisel's contract runs through the 2012 season, Guerrero has proved he has no problem firing a lame duck coach in the past. Karl Dorrell, head football coach prior to Neuheisel, was fired with multiple years left on his contract and awarded a $2 million dollar buyout in his favor.
Leach has been quoted saying he would like to go to a struggling program with good tradition, citing UCLA as an example, so at least it’s a destination where he would like to land.
Why Not: Guerrero is a very proud UCLA alumni who likes to remain closely involved with various aspects of the football program- maybe too involved.
In April, a story came out that Neuheisel was required to retain Defensive Coordinator, DeWayne Walker, from the previous football staff as a stipulation to accepting the head coaching position at UCLA.
Since UCLA has brand new offensive and defensive coordinators this season, it's not likely Guerrero would have any attachment to either. However, I doubt Leach would be willing to tolerate any similar tactics or suggestions if he were to become head coach. His heavy meddling could be problematic.
Since UCLA has brand new offensive and defensive coordinators this season, it's not likely Guerrero would have any attachment to either. However, I doubt Leach would be willing to tolerate any similar tactics or suggestions if he were to become head coach. His heavy meddling could be problematic.
Also, both of Guerrero’s head football coach hires have been former UCLA players/alumni. Even though the AD claims it is coincidental, Leach obviously didn’t play at UCLA, much less go there for law school. However, many people close to the program feel that the defunct Athletic Director shouldn’t even be around to make the next coaching hire, so this might be a moot point by the end of next season.
Verdict: Leach could be lightning in a bottle for UCLA, making them relevant in a hurry. UCLA football would be enjoyable for fans to watch again, although not as enjoyable as the verbal sparring that could occur between Leach and Lane Kiffin.
Given the reputation of Dan Guerrero, it’s hard to imagine Leach would stomach another situation of an AD with hidden agendas. If for some reason there is a change made at the top, I would expect the probability of pairing UCLA Football and Leach to increase dramatically. For now I give the pairing a 25% chance with the possibility to go as high as 65%.
This potential vacancy will not be open due to an inept coach. Current coach, Kevin Sumlin, has been a hot coaching candidate the past couple of years and is likely in line for a job at a great BCS school. Although he signed an extension with UH in 2010, his buyout for next season would be a mere $600,000, a small price for most BCS schools. Now that he's healthy, Case Keenum can help push UH to another 10 win season (as many are projecting) and Sumlin could become too hot of a coaching candidate to stay in Houston.
Why: Houston football has found recent success with coaches who are Mike Leach disciples. Art Briles, a former Leach assistant, turned his successes at Houston into a head coaching gig at Baylor. Dana Holgorson, another former Leach protégé, parlayed his Offensive Coordinator position from Houston to Oklahoma State, then into the Head Coaching position at West Virginia. Now, Kevin Sumlin seems to be another Houston head coach with a promising future in a BCS conference. Leach could make the same jump back into the BCS.
Also, this would be a great spot for Leach to have success from day one. Houston should have the right recruits in the program for Leach's system, unlike other potential head coaching jobs. This would save Leach two years of headache overhauling the program recruiting players who fit his system. Leach is also familiar with the recruiting the state of Texas and probably has many existing relationships that would help his cause.
This is probably not Leach’s dream destination, but it would be a great stepping stone for Leach to get back to a BCS program and the national stage where he belongs.
Why Not: This would be a significant step down for where Leach was at Texas Tech. Big 12 to CUSA is a significant downgrade in talent and level of play. Also, his pay at Tech was significantly higher than the $1.2 million Houston is paying Kevin Sumlin for the 2011 season and would probably be near the ceiling for what they could pay to hire Leach.
Verdict: At this point, it’s more likely Kevin Sumlin is coaching elsewhere after the 2011 season. If Leach can accept the downgrade in pay and talent, he could use Houston as a great opportunity to capture the attention of the college football world once again.
Not to mention, CUSA just struck a TV deal with Fox, snubbing ESPN who is now suing the conference. At least this helps to be able to look past Leach's lawsuits a little.
Leach at UH would be a great fit and I'll give the pairing a 60% chance of happening.
Not to mention, CUSA just struck a TV deal with Fox, snubbing ESPN who is now suing the conference. At least this helps to be able to look past Leach's lawsuits a little.
Leach at UH would be a great fit and I'll give the pairing a 60% chance of happening.
Dennis Erickson is going into his 5th season at the school and his results have been less than stellar.
In 2007, his 1st season, the Sun Devils went 10-3 and entered 2008 with lofty expectations.
However, in 2008, Erickson and the Sun Devils fell flat on their face with a 5-7 record and have not seen a bowl game since. After posting a combined 15-21 (10-17) the past three seasons, the Sun Devils enter 2011 with high expectations despite not qualifying for a bowl game last season. If Arizona State underachieves this season, Dennis Erickson's seat could be so hot that not even the Sun Devil himself would sit in it.
Why: Athletic Director Lisa Love is not afraid to make bold maneuvers when it comes to the ASU Football program. In December of 2005 she gave the head coach, Dirk Koetter, a contract extension from 2007 through 2009 amidst reports lack of longevity was hurting recruiting efforts. Less than a year later in November 2006, Koetter was fired and rewarded a buyout of $2.8 Million even though the Sun Devils went 7-5 and were heading to a bowl game. Ouch.
Koetter was 23-14 (13-12), with three bowl appearances, and nationally ranked once in his last three season in Tempe. Erickson is 15-21 (10-17), with zero bowl appearances, and hasn’t finished nationally ranked. Koetter had high expectations heading into his final season, fell short, and got the axe. Even if Erickson is still under contract through 2013, anything short of expectations could be curtains for the coach.
Why would Love look to Leach to fill the vacant position though? It just so happens the Arizona State AD is a former student athlete and graduate of Texas Tech. As someone who is familiar with managing athletic departments, she has to be impressed with Leach's successes in Lubbock given his limited resources against heavyweight competition.
Majority of Texas Tech alums love Coach Leach and it would not be surprising if Lisa Love thought highly of him as well.
Why Not: Arizona State might actually be good enough this season to save Erickson’s job after this season.
Their Pac 12 schedule breaks nicely for them and they return 19 starters, including their QB. Not to mention five of their losses (excluding the game blow out against Cal) @Wisconsin, Oregon, @Oregon State, @USC, and Stanford were by a combined 20 points, which is by far the most impressive five losses of any team in recent history.
The Sun Devils appear loaded on both sides of the ball and it's easy to see why expectations are so high for them. If things go right for them this season, there may not be a job opening for Leach in 2012.
Verdict: If there is a job opening in Tempe after the 2011 season, I would suspect Leach would be as great of a fit as any coach available for the position. Honestly, it could go either way for Erickson this season where 8 wins saves his job and 7 he may be shown the door. A Pirate Sun Devil does have a nice ring to it though, so I will give the pairing a 45% chance of happening in 2012.
Traditionally, Washington State is not an inept, dumpy college football program as recent years might portray. Less than a decade ago (2001-2003) they were finishing ranked in the Top 10. Now they will be lucky to finish Top 10 in their own conference.
How Paul Wulff survived after three seasons, with a combined record of 5-32 (2-25), is beyond me. Two wins were against FCS opponents, one coming in OT against a CUSA team at home, one against an 0-12 Washington in OT at home. The marquee win for him to hang his hat on- an upset shocker in Corvallis over a 5-7 Oregon State team just last year.
Yikes.
Luckily for Wulff, cash strapped Cougars had little choice but to bring him back rather than pay his buyout for the next two seasons. Last season, Wulff was the lowest paid BCS conference head coach with a very inexpensive buyout, which shows just how bad Washington State is hurting.
In 2011, the schedule starts off nicely for the Cougars with two home games against Idaho State and UNLV, a 2-0 start is possible. However, if recent struggles continue, then without question Wulff should be axed and Washington State will have no choice but to buy him out for his final year.
It is unclear what the expectations are for the former Cougar alumni coach to keep his job beyond the 2011 season. I would imagine anything short of a bowl bid would be considered unacceptable after his 4th year with the program.
Why: Because like every other coach, Mike Leach will believe he can turn this program around.
Washington State is still in a BCS conference and just so happens to be in one with a newly rich TV deal. TV deals mean more revenue for schools and better opportunity to help a financially flailing program upgrade all football aspects such as facilities, stadium, and recruiting.
While they may be ready to upgrade the facilities and recruiting budget, the stadium renovations can be put on hold. In 2010, Washington State only averaged around 24,000 fans per game, leaving 30% of the 35,000 capacity stadium empty. A Mike Leach hire would inject a level of interest in the Cougars program that could probably fill the stadium to capacity from day one.
Also, Washington State is going to struggle to recruit against their opponents in the northwest (Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah), for the next several years. Leach’s wide open Air Raid attack is a system with a great track record of taking “lesser" rated recruits, maximizing their talents, and making them competitive against conference super powers. His track record is undeniable and would be a huge benefit for this program.
Why Not: While every coach likes a challenge, this may be one sinking ship this pirate could choose to avoid.
The setbacks this program has faced recently could take several years to turn around and may be a better fit for a lesser known guy coming in for the long haul. A guy with Leach’s track record is better suited for a wealthier football entity that could be a perennial Top 25 program with a few adjustments.
To top that off, Washington State might not be able to afford Leach. I would imagine his asking price to be north of $1.25 million per year, which might be too rich for the Cougars.
Verdict: Right now the most exciting thing for Cougar fans is trying to get their school flag air time on ESPN’s College Gameday. This program could really thrive under a coach with Leach's accomplishments and would be a great hire for Washington State. I’d give the pairing a 30% chance, only because Washington State is a BCS school, which tends to be more attractive.
It’s not a secret that an abnormal amount of scandal has been swirling around the Tarheel program the past two years. After UNC brass stood behind their man for the past year, it was believed Butch Davis would remain the head coach for the 2011 season.
In the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friends!”
In a bizarre turn of events just days after parading him around at the ACC media day, North Carolina decided to fire their head coach siting “Academic Issues”. Enter the Everett Withers era….
UNC has been loaded with talented recruits the past several years and their recruiting rankings (according to Rivals) from 2007-2011 ranked 17, 32,9,29, and 16 respectively. This talent rich program would be great for a guy like Mike Leach to sink his teeth into.
Why: UNC found their reason to fire Butch Davis by citing academic embarrassment and if the university stands behind their public statements, a guy like Leach would be a perfect fit. Academically, Leach turned around a Texas Tech program that was on academic probation into the top rated public institution in the NCAA.
Aside from academics, Leach would easily have the most attractive and exciting offense in the ACC to fans and recruits. The past four years (2007-2010) the Tarheels ranked 103, 84, 99, and 46 in total offense under Butch Davis, whereas Mike Leach and his Texas Tech squads were repeatedly ranked in the top 10. It might be nice for the Tarheel fans to witness little offensive firepower, instead of one that looks like it’s playing on quicksand.
Similar to UCLA, Leach mentioned UNC as the type of program where he would like to be hired for his next head coaching gig.
Why Not: Where there is smoke there is usually fire and UNC football is a chimney right now. The potential for NCAA sanctions is looming over the program, which could be a deterrent for many potential coaching candidates.
It is probably only a matter of time some type of punishment is handed down to the UNC football program and the incoming coach will have a full scope of what he is up against.
Oh, and there is also that little ESPN lawsuit thingy that could be problematic for a school in a conference that is completely owned by the worldwide leader in sports.
Verdict: Leach could contend in the ACC on a consistent basis for numerous years, just as he did at Texas Tech, but with even more success. Despite looming potential NCAA sanctions, this could still be a job of interest for a guy in Leach’s position depending on how severe UNC is penalized. I’d give the likelihood of this pairing around 25%.
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