With our top choices already in the rear view mirror (Petersen, Patterson, Harbaugh, Mullen, Gruden), we shift our focus to the leftovers. We assumed Connecticut’s Randy Edsall would be on deck, and it looks like he is. But, there’s a juicier name out there that is slowly becoming the crowd favorite among Canes fans. The Pirate – Mike Leach.-
We know he interviewed in 2006 for the UM head coaching vacancy and didn’t exactly impress administration. And yes there is his pending litigation with that whole son-of-Craig-James thing. But there might not be a better fit out there than Mike Leach. Strictly speaking to wins and losses, Leach would provide a great impact on this program. Think about it – he takes Texas Tech …Texas TECH…and converts them into the 3rd best team in the Big 12. With a limited recruiting base, he becomes the school’s all time winningest coach and is known for procuring potent offenses every year. The man never had a losing season in his 10 years at Texas Tech. He brought them to a bowl game in 5 of his last 6 years (ed. note: Leach’s teams were bowl eligible all ten years; they did, however, end up ranked in the Top 25 in 5 of his last 6 years), reaching as high as #2 in the polls in 2008. And for those clamoring for Tommy Tuberville – who in 2010 inherited what Mike Leach would call the most talented and veteran filled Texas Tech team he’s seen – well, his 7-5 record this year speaks for itself.
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If we were strictly talking about on field performance, Randy Edsall and Tommy Tuberville probably fall short when compared with Leach. Unfortunately, the head coach of a major university is more than just a football coach. He is the face of the university. Television and radio shows, fund raising banquets, academic enforcer…the list is endless. And here is where Mike Leach gets a bad rap. In Leach’s last three years, he graduated 76% of his players. Compare that with Tommy Tuberville’s 59% at Auburn over a similar span (or Texas’ 49% for that matter). But I don’t think that’s the big knock on Leach. Rather, it is based on misinformation over the Adam James incident.
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Ah, Adam James. The son of ESPN’s Craig James. Adam was a three star recruit out of high school. Scout.com listed him as the #30 tight end nationally. And being the son of a former NFL running back, expectations were high. Though with 32 catches over his first two years at Texas Tech, it’s safe to say that Adam will not be following in his father’s footsteps to the pros. Hey, not the end of the world. Not everyone can pull a Ken Griffey Jr. and outdo his Pops. The story goes that Adam, after being disciplined tw0 out of the past three days for a ‘bad attitude,’ showed up to practice late one day and didn’t dress out. According to Leach he was wearing his hat backwards and had sunglasses on (he would later learn that the glasses were to avoid the sun as Adam had suffered a concussion days earlier). Now, Adam’s dad took it upon himself to contact Coach Leach throughout the season to implore that his son get more playing time. After multiple calls and emails (not to mention his explaining to Mr. James that it is the coaching staff’s decision on who gets playing time), Leach refused to accept James’ calls. Perfectly understandable. Then, Craig James contacted the assistant coaches. Then the athletic director. Friction was building, to say the least.
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Pan to said practice where Adam James shows up late and is not dressed out. Leach tells the trainer to take him off the field and put him somewhere. The trainer leads him to a garage/media room the size of a two car garage. It had an ice machine. It also had an electrical closet, but James was never placed in it (I know, I know, everyone out there simply thinks the kid was placed in a closet for hours. He wasn’t.). According to the trainer, James got some ice, walked around, even slept a little. All while being monitored. We all know about the firestorm that ensued. No need to rehash it, other than to say that Leach was fired and is now suing the school and ESPN.
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I can see why athletic directors might want to shy away from the controversy associated with hiring Leach, but they would be ignoring two key elements. 1. Leach is more than qualified to lead a major college football program. And, 2. Leach’s firing does not mean he did what the James family accused him of doing (i.e. locking a kid in a closet for hours). Think about it, if Mike Leach was going to abuse or mistreat a player, why would he choose the son of the most prolific parent on his roster? Craig James was out of place to directly lobby for his son’s playing time. You can say stuff in the media, but the ultimate decision is up to the coaching staff. If you don’t like it, then transfer (see: Robert Marve).
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After reading a recent Sporting News interview with Leach, who is currently biding his time in Key West, Florida, I felt so shortsighted in previously thinking ’But he locked that kid in a closet.’ Memo to myself and AD Kirby Hocutt: It’s always best to do your fact checking and not be afraid to make the correct call. And, if you’re going to fire Randy Shannon despite his off the field successes (because, as we all know, it comes down to wins and losses), then please similarly ignore the off the field issues with Leach when doing the hiring. Listen, Randy Edsall would be a great representative of the university. No question that he’s a better off the field delegate than Leach. The guy makes Al Gore look like he has rhythm. My concern is that, on the field, a Hurricane football team led by Mike Leach will win more games than one led by Edsall. Unfortunately, I don’t think Kirby has the cojones to hire Leach. It’s too bad, because the Pirate would do some damage in Coral Gables.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I Agree – Pirate Up!
EVERYONE…. FIND and Watch the 60 Minutes youtube video of Coach Leach: “The Mad Genius”!….That’s Michael Lewis (he wrote the “BLIND SIDE” and “Moneyball) Scott Pelley is interviewing about Coach Leach. …The two good-looking ‘hunks’ are Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree!….Pelley: What did Leach tell you? (with 8 seconds left to the game) …”He told us to go out there and score”…… we did…….and we beat Texas—(2008)
FIND and READ….New York Times…NYTimes Magazine Dec.4,2005 by Michael Lewis “Coach Leach Goes Deep, Very Deep”.
Michael Lewis follows Coach Leach and the team around for the A&M game…..He digs, and tells you the history of football….and Mike Leach’s place in that history……You won’t be sorry.
Forget the cute little sound bite Spin ya’ll been fed by Spaeth Communications and Tech’s PR Dept. —it’s all a lie!
Chancellor Hance and a handful of the board are huge monied political donors…Craig James is their ‘golden boy’ candidate for Senator, to take Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s place—–James was scared s***-l*** that his son was about to be cut. Well, thay had to be stopped!…Tuberville was recruited (cough-cough)from ESPN and personal friends of James’. ….E-mails, depositions, Coach Leach’s contract, Tech’s employee policies..statements from staff, coaches, players, and former are all available. ….Tech’s only defense is Soverign Immunity!
BESIDES~~~~ya’ll have Donna Shalala!!! Credibility personified.
If she announced her support for Coach Leach~~~~the detractors would be frozen silent in their fear~~~~and, that just might speed up the fall of the disgraced cabal at Texas Tech~~~who tried to ruin a good man!
PS Adam James’ ‘closet’ video is on youtube, too. Find that, and you can see what he wore to practic that day..WITH his cell phone. This video was produce by Spaeth as well. AAARRRRUUUUUGGGGGGGGG
PS: You just can’t imagine the “Road Trips” of hundreds to Miami from all over the state of Texas if you get the ‘Captain’! … Don’t under estimate us and our love for Coach Leach and his family.
If UM says the word, we can start ordering our ‘colors’ and gear…..get next year’s game schedule to us, and we can buy our tickets and make our reservations…..Ya’ll got Embassy Suites or a Holiday Inn near the stadium?
First game?~~~we’ll storm the field, if you don’t stop us!
Pull the trigger and hire coach Leach. you’ll have a Texas to Miami connection overnight like you’ve never seen.
Thanks for the actual research BEFORE writing the article. UM would be lucky to have Leach. He loves Key West and Florida and he’s a great coach and a better person.
Great article and I agree with it all!
I recently sent a letter to President Shalala encouraging her to hire Mike Leach. I gave her 4 reasons:
1. Leach comes with his own fan base that’s free of charge.
2. He will bring more notoriety for the Hurricanes.
3. He will generate the revenue to improve your athletic facilities.
4. Your players will graduate.
I don’t know about ya’ll, but if I was wanting to kick it up a notch, I would be hiring that ‘ol Pirate. I guarantee that you will not be dissatisfied. Mike Leach football is exciting football!!
Glad to hear the feedback. We’re with all of you in thinking he’s probably the best available candidate and would do great down here. Unfortunately, we doubt Shalala and Hocutt do the smart thing and hire him. We hope we’re wrong, but we think the majority of Canes fans will be disappointed. Leach strikes us as the only guy whose team would strike fear into an opposing team. Sounds like he got a raw deal at Tech.
Aye Aye!!!
This is about to get embarrassing. This program is being run off a cliff by this administration. If we can’t convince a guy that the University of Miami is a better place to be head coach than Boise State, Texas Christian or Mississippi State, well maybe we need to reconsider just how much scrutiny we are in position to place on candidates for the job. Sh*t, Donna Shalala had no problem working for Bill Clinton, but we can’t even look at Leach for the job because of the ESPN “taint” he carries? Bogus, I say!
Look, Leach was not my top candidate either, but if Gruden, Mullen, Peterson and Patterson have all said no, and Leach has already said YES, with the Donald pushing hard for him, WELL WHAT’S THE F*CKING PROBLEM???
Nothing against Edsell, but I gotta be honest, if that’s the best we can do with this administration in place, I’m done with this program. I really never thought I’d be able to say anything like that, but with everything that’s gone on the past few years from demolishing the OB, etc, etc.
Bottom line, why fire Shannon if you’re going to bring in a guy like Edsell?? Not that I’m a Shannon supporter any longer, but give me the choice between the two and I’ll take Randy. Am I wrong?
Wow, just realized how stupid that last comment was. I, of course, meant that between Shannon and Edsell, I’d argue that Shannon is the better fit and the better resume for Miami. Forgot they’re both named Randy for a second there….
Karen should have added 5.Win lots of football games. Leach can win games with less talented players…he gets the most out of his players. UM would also get an unbelievable fan base from Texas…it’s enormous.
CANES PUNDIT,——-Did you see the videos Rose told us about?
Or, read the Magazine article?
UM needs Mike Leach!
Loved the NY Times article! I wish Kirby would give him the interview or call! Mike Leach seems brilliant and against the grain! The old U put points on the board and didnt care how many they were up.! GIVE LEACH A CHANCE!!!!!
One correction: He had Texas Tech in a bowl game all 10 years he coached at the school. He won 6 of those bowl games.
Air Raid – thanks for the correction. You’re right. They were bowl eligible all 10 years…it was ending up ranked in the Top 25 in 5 of his last 6 years. Canes Pundit regrets the error (not really).
Mike Leach all the way!!!!
if you guys hire Leach, you are scrapping the bottom of the barrel…but you are used to that.
Well, I see Adam James and his Spaeth friends has finally found this comment section…as, well!
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