Leach lashes out at Tech, James family

NBC Sports ^ | January 1, 2010 | Posted by John Taylor

[Bad~Rodeo]

For the first time since being fired by Texas Tech, Mike Leach has spoken out about his dismissal as he conducted interviews with both the New York Times and ESPN to ring in the new year.

And, in both cases, the former Red Raider head coach alternately denied mistreating one of his players to railing against the university, the player -- Adam James -- and the James family -- ESPN analyst Craig James in particular.

As for the alleged abuse of Adam James -- initial reports stated that Leach had ordered the receiver confined to a dark, cramped room/electrical closet -- Leach said it simply didn't happen. According to the coach, he had ordered James to be taken "out of the light" as he had been diagnosed with a mild concussion. More specifically, Leach stated he was unaware where James was taken as he "was busy coaching practice."

Leach then lashed out at what he described as falsehoods being distributed by the media in general and ESPN in particular.

"There have been several things that have been brought to my attention on the ticker that's just false," Leach said according to the Times, referring to ESPN's bottom line ticker. "He was never locked anywhere. At no point was he locked anywhere. At no point was there an electrical closet."

Steve Pincock, Tech's head athletic trainer, backed up Leach's claims, saying in a statement that "Adam was never locked in any facility, and was never placed in an electrical closet or tight space, or instructed to do so."

"Adam showed up to practice in street clothes, no team gear, and dark sunglasses," Pincock said, according to the statement. "Adam walked about 40 to 50 yards,

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

The biggest bonus to going to the game was I didn't have to watch espn kiss all over the Little Princess Pony....I did miss seeing some other games Saturday though - but worth it to visit with family and friends and go to a great PepRally where we totally enjoyed the bashing of the James father and son. Lots of great tshirts - one guy was wearing a dunce cap with pacifiers attached to it with the something like "James, baby adam is crying and needs his diaper changed"

Many angry fans - sure we cheered for our team, but we aren't over this, not by a long shot.

And yes, your team was scary - can't even imagine if everyone had been there.

[BnBlFlag]

“That’s exactly why Leach got his fat ass fired. The University drew up a new policy for dealing with injured players and Leach refused to sign it saying nobody was going to be looking over HIS shoulder.”
“Where did you see this little gem? That is not what they asked him to sign, and this was NOT the first concussion this team has dealt with - they are not new at this.”

I don’t remember. It was a news report. But remember this. Texas is an “at will” state. Anybody can be fired at any time for any reason. (Except for reasons that are covered by Federal Law such as racial discrimination.)That’s why I don’t think Leach will be successful if he does lawyer up and sues The University.
I personally hope that Tech hires the interim Coach. He had good control and the Players played a great game in the Alamo Bowl against a good Michigan State Team. Sheffield was sensational! The players say they love the guy.
BTW, Potts wasn’t too happy on the sidelines with his “lack of playing time” in the second half himself!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Potts was't angry with lack of playing time - he was mad at throwing an interception. Sheffield is good - he filled in when Potts had a serious concussion earlier in the year, and guess what, Potts didn't call his daddy to whine about not being treated like a princess while recovering. He did recover and played games when Sheffield broke his ankle - it's been an up and down year with them almost sharing the QB position.

Yes the players love Ruffin - he is "good cop" to Mike Leach's "bad cop" - we'll see how much they love him when he is the bad guy.