Jason HeimMike Leach's Bizarre Firing
December 31st 2009 07:59
Category: Other Sports
There is no shortage of drama or controversy in Lubbock, Texas this holiday season. Two days after being suspended from coaching his team in the Alamo Bowl, Texas Tech's Mike Leach was fired Wednesday in a rapid chain of events. Instead of focusing all their attention on Saturday's bowl game, the Red Raiders must deal with the distraction of the hailstorm around its former coach, and one of their teammates, receiver Adam James.
Word broke on Monday that Leach was suspended from coaching in the Alamo Bowl when reports told of an alleged wrongful treatment of an injured player by Leach and his staff earlier this month.
Wait: did I forget to mention that the player is the son of a well-known TV football analyst for the biggest media power in the world of sports? Yes, ESPN's Craig James is the player's father, and undoubtedly wielded his influence to smear the coach and possibly get him fired. After all, Leach did mess with his son. There is little doubt in my mind, because this whole thing just smells of foul play. Leach decidedly lost this battle in the court of public opinion, and did not seem to get a chance to defend himself by either the media--most notably, (surprise) ESPN-- or the university. I am of the opinion that were a different player involved instead of James, that this story would barely have made Sportscenter, much less warranted any disciplinary action.
What James was forced to do did not cause him harm or exacerbate his concussion symptoms. Was it bizarre, unprecedented, and mostly useless? Yes. Dangerous? Not in the least. This did not seem to factor into the disciplinary action and subsequent firing of Leach. The implication is that maybe there was more going on under the surface than this sequence of events lets on. A bigger rift between Leach and his team, Leach and James, or Leach and the university feels evident, at least from my perspective. The firing seems like retribution for a series of other questionable coaching methods that never made the news rather than for this isolated, innocuous, and unharmful event.
If Leach indeed was sending a disciplinary message to James regarding his insubordination and poor work habits, then this should be treated as the equivalent to a benching, verbal lashing, or any other of a variety of disciplinary techniques. Just because a coach has never stuck a player in a closet for a couple hours does not mean it is a better or worse tactic than a good tongue lashing. Its just a different tactic. Worthy of a one-game suspension and investigative review? Absolutely. Worthy of a dishonorable firing? Not for me. Leach's reaction to his suspension told me a lot: he did not apologize for anything, and immediately planned to appeal the suspension. He represented himself as having done nothing wrong and having nothing to hide. What would someone who is guilty of wrongdoing do/say in this situation? Attempt a cover-up with complex excuses and elaborate statements in the press. Leach made no show, but simply said he was appealing the suspension and accused Texas Tech of dealing "in lies" and "fabricating a story...which includes, but is not limited by, the animosity remaining from last year's contract negotiations." This statement is an unwavering declaration that the relationship between school and coach had soured long before Adam James complained.
In a new story that continues to develop, it seems to me like Mike Leach is the real victim, not Adam James. There is no doubt in my mind that the sports media is not telling the whole story, knowingly or not, and the damage to Leach's reputation is irrevocable because of it. Whoever rolls the dice and takes a "gamble" on Mike Leach next will find themselves with an innovative, smart, and successful coach.
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