Texas Tech scandal leads to firing, more attention to concussions
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January 22, 2010
Nick Pelini
On Wednesday Dec. 30, the University of Texas Tech made the decision to fire head football coach Mike Leach because he reportedly locked concussed player Adam James in an electrical closet. Leach was fired with cause, which means he may not earn any of the $12.7 million contract he signed in February or the $800,000 bonus he was set to receive the next day on Dec. 31.
Much turmoil has surrounded Texas Tech the past few weeks over contradicting reports concerning sophomore wide receiver Adam James. James claims to have been forced to remain in an electrical closet while suffering from a concussion without being tended to by trainers.
Leach, on the other hand, was quoted as saying that James “was lazy and acted like he was entitled to special treatment.” He also said that James was ejected from practice for a consistent lack of effort and for showing up to practice in street clothes with sunglasses.
Another inconsistency in this saga is the supposed electrical closet. While James has put up a video from his cell phone showing the room, many statements also have been released saying that the shed in question is actually the visiting team’s media room. This media room that every visiting coach uses contains the electrical closet that James could have gone in just to film. Leach also said he did not decide the place to put James, he only said to put him in a “dark place.”
As to why James would want Leach in trouble stems from one of the most common problems coaches face on all sporting levels; James and his father, former NFL running back and current ESPN broadcaster Craig James, felt that he was not earning enough playing time.
In an interview with ESPN, Leach said: “When you call coaches … you call other administrators and come to practices and have constant discussions on your son and their playing time … Craig James required more time than all the other parents combined.”
Former players and coaches have come to the defense of Leach though e-mails they sent to CBS Sports, reinforcing Leach’s assessment of James.
Last season’s quarterback Graham Harrell included an anecdote detailing James’ decision to quit the baseball team due to little playing time. Harrell also said that James carried this attitude into football season by “skipping lifts” in the off-season and not showing up to some of the seven on seven practices. Harrell goes on to say, “The most detrimental part of Adam was his off field attitude … Adam used any opportunity he had to tell other players how he was being treated unfairly, how the coaches did not give him a fair chance.”
“He should be grateful for the opportunity that was given to him here that was not offered at any other Division 1 football program. He has an unbelievable sense of … entitlement because of who his father is; one that hurts himself and people around him,” inside wide receivers coach Lincoln Riley writes.
On top of all the drama lays the belief that Leach was fired so Texas Tech would not have to pay Leach the massive amounts of money from the lucrative deal he signed in February. Former Texas Tech regent Jim Sowell has denied any idea that the firing was pre-conceived. However, emails have appeared between Sowell and Chancellor Kent Hance from late 2008 and early 2009 that talk about possibly firing Leach.
“Those emails certainly strongly suggest some kind of conspiracy and collusion,” Leach said in an interview with News Channel 11 out of Lubbock, Texas. “You know I felt like we signed the contract. We’re on the same team, we’re all working together and now I find out after the fact that they’re working against me to begin with.”
The spectacle proved exceptionally popular to the public as ESPN turned in a 5.6 rating which means the Alamo Bowl drew 5,553,630 households, the most ever by a bowl aired on ESPN. Texas Tech won the Alamo Bowl as interim coach Ruffin McNeill led the Red Raiders to victory over Michigan State 41-31. During the game, Adam James was booed as he walked in for halftime and several shirts supporting Leach were seen in the crowd.
Though the fans of Texas Tech are obviously upset over Leach’s firing, Jan. 9 marked a new chapter in the program’s history because Tommy Tuberville was announced as the head coach. Tuberville resigned from Auburn two years ago after a 5-7 record. His career accomplishments however include a six game winning streak over rival Alabama and a 13-0 perfect season 2004.
With the James and Leach debacle finally coming to a close, the truth behind this scandal may always be questioned; however, the Texas Tech program must move on if it ever wishes to surpass one of the best coaches in their school’s history.
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