Mike Leach really wants the Minnesota job

Donate To GopherHole
MadtownGopher

MadtownGopher

Active member
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
9,738
Reaction score
1
Points
36
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/01/1549045/mike-leach-interested-in-minnesota.html


MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has accepted Minnesota's vacant head coaching job. Now, he just needs someone to offer it.

Well, maybe it's not quite that simple. But the controversial Texas Tech coach, out of work the past 11 months after being fired over his treatment of a player with a concussion, made it clear Wednesday in a telephone interview that he believes he could turn around the Gophers' legacy of football mediocrity. And he would welcome the chance.

"It's like buying real estate - you want a situation where it's undervalued so you can turn it into something," said the 49-year-old Leach, who went 84-43 and never had a losing season in his decade in Lubbock. "That's a program that's under-utilized, that has a lot of advantages but is just lying dormant. . . . I would enjoy the challenge."

And a certain segment of fans would enjoy watching it. As the names Brady Hoke, Troy Calhoun, Al Golden and a dozen others are vetted and debated around Minnesota, one name is constantly promoted on radio shows and fan sites, despite unsubtle hints on campus that he's not a candidate: Leach.

"Minnesota's fan base would explode if Mike Leach got the job," said Zach Johnson, publisher and operator of the Gopher Illustrated website. "He's the one guy that everyone comes back to. Dan Mullen (of Mississippi State) or Jim Harbaugh (of Stanford) might be more popular hires, but talking realistic candidates, he's by far the most popular."

With everyone but university administrators, anyway. Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi has not contacted him, Leach said, despite his resume as a national Coach of the Year only two years ago. And university President Robert Bruininks, asked in October about coaches such as Leach who may carry some baggage, said, "I don't think we need a checkered background." Leach said his background includes things like a 79 percent graduation rate at Texas Tech, and 10 consecutive bowl trips for the Red Raiders.

"Those are things that are important to universities, aren't they?" said Leach, who also said this week that he would be the perfect fit for Miami (Fla.). "We had an exciting brand of football that wins. We went to bowl games and won. We graduate our players - (ranked) sixth in the nation. And when was the last time you heard about one of my players being in trouble?"

Actually, it's Leach who got into trouble, initially by sequestering receiver Adam James, son of ESPN analyst Craig James, in a darkened shed during practice while he was suffering from a concussion. The case caused the university to suspend and then fire Leach, who responded by filing suit against the university for wrongful termination and ESPN for defamation.

Leach, who now has a daily show on Sirius satellite radio, believes the lawsuits are scaring off universities, though he added, "That's short-sighted. I'm in the middle of litigation that will obviously pass in a couple of months, and I'll be vindicated. That won't affect the job I can do for several years. If I wasn't trying to clear my name, I wouldn't be the right guy to hire."

It may be more than just the suit, however. Leach has a strong personality, and reports have circulated that the coach offended the Gophers delegation at events leading up to the 2006 Insight Bowl, and came across as arrogant. The coach denied doing anything objectionable - "except pulling off that comeback and beating them," 44-41 after trailing by 31 points, the biggest rally in bowl history.

Leach said Maturi "seemed like a nice guy. I enjoyed his company. But if they're basing (the hire) on how you're dressed or something, rather than winning football games, they're doomed to repeating history."

It's a history he said he knows how to change. "The most important positions are offensive linemen and defensive linemen. You can walk to the grocery store up there (in Minnesota) and find guys who could be good ones," Leach said. "And nobody in the Big Ten utilizes the skill positions like we do. The fans would rally around it, would get excited about the program. That's what I bring to the table."

That, and one other thing, Johnson pointed out: "He scored 70 points on Nebraska (in 2004)," Johnson said. "That would make him pretty popular."


Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/01/1549045/mike-leach-interested-in-minnesota.html#ixzz16vwLy9Ag
Click to expand...



Some really great quotes from Leach. I would love a Leach hire, him and Mullen are my top 2 guys.
 


On December 28, 2009, Leach was suspended indefinitely by Texas Tech pending investigation of alleged inappropriate treatment of Adam James, son of former SMU and New England Patriots running back (and current ESPN college football analyst) Craig James. On December 16, James suffered a concussion. He was examined the next day, and told not to practice that afternoon due to the concussion. According to a James family source, Leach ordered him to stand in a darkened garage near the Raiders' practice facility. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, school officials claim they gave Leach an ultimatum to apologize to James in writing by December 28 or Leach would be suspended. His attorney, Ted Liggett, disputed the characterization of events as reported by the university and other news sources, and said that James had been treated reasonably in light of his condition.[50]

Leach immediately sought an injunction that would allow him to coach in the 2010 Alamo Bowl. However, on December 30, Texas Tech fired Leach, calling his refusal to apologize to James "a defiant act of insubordination." This was the day before Leach was reportedly owed an $800,000 tenure bonus and over $1,700,000 for contractual guaranteed income for 2009.[51] Texas Tech lawyers handed a termination letter to Liggett just minutes before the two sides were to appear in a Lubbock courtroom for a hearing. Liggett was also told that Leach would not be allowed to coach in the Alamo Bowl regardless of how the hearing turned out. School officials later said that other incidents had come to light during its investigation of Leach, but declined to elaborate. Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill was named interim head coach and led the team during their appearance in the Alamo Bowl.[52][53]

In a statement, Leach said that he believed the firing was motivated in part by simmering acrimony over the contract negotiations. He also said he plans to sue Texas Tech for wrongful termination.[52]

On December 31, Leach spoke with The New York Times in his first interview since being fired from Texas Tech. He said that he did not know where James had been taken, having only ordered him taken "out of the light." He claimed the controversy stemmed from Craig James' constant lobbying for more playing time for his son, whom he characterized as lazy and entitled.[54]
On January 8, 2010, Leach formally filed suit against Texas Tech for wrongful termination and other claims. He claimed that school officials not only fired him without cause, but issued defamatory statements in a willful attempt to keep him from being hired elsewhere.[55] In May 2010, District Judge Bill Sowder dismissed all but one of Leach's claims on the grounds of sovereign immunity, but he allowed Leach's claim for breach of contract to proceed, finding that Texas Tech had waived its immunity on this claim by its conduct. The judge also dismissed Leach's claims against three university administrators.[56][57] Both parties have taken steps to appeal the decision, although Leach's attorneys have said they would drop their appeal if Texas Tech would do likewise and allow the breach of contract claim to proceed to a jury trial.[58]

In August 2010, Leach joined CBS College Sports Network, where he will be a football analyst working with play-by-play announcer Roger Twibell.[59]

Sounds more like dudes dad had it out for Leach & Leach wouldn't give him special treatment just because his dad was a former NFL Star...
 

"If I wasn't trying to clear my name, I wouldn't be the right guy to hire."


Leach is going to win HUGE settlements. I suspect at least 800,000 from TTU before it is all said and done. I don't even want to get into what ESPN may have to settle for. The breach of contract suit is limited in what the damages is. The max TTU would have to pay would be the contract. ESPN is being hit with defamation, so the potential is that he could win whatever the bad and false pub cost Leach. That would be the contract at TTU+emotional damages+whatever other programs might have offered. My guess is ESPN settles too.
 

What did Leach do to offend Maturi? Failing to wear a tie to the bowl banquet.
 


Johnny Olson said:
What did Leach do to offend Maturi? Failing to wear a tie to the bowl banquet.
Click to expand...


Rumor is he was drunk and cursed out his higher ups or something like that. Skim thorough the hundred other threads about him.
 

I almost hate reading threads like these, it makes me still hope Leach gets the job. I kind of was already over it, but I just can't imagine that we could get a better candidate.
 

You're right it is just a rumor...and if it isn't... so be it.

Hire Leach NOW.
 

My mind is racked with trying to figure out why Maturi and Co. won't at least consider Leach. The guy is a PROVEN winner who runs a clean program and graduates 79% of his players. 10 winning seasons. A name that will instantly energize the fan base. Coach of the Year honors. Also, the guy "understands Minnesota". He's aware of the challenges and is eager to face them and actually WANTS to coach here. It's clear the pros far far outweigh the cons and if Maturi is doing his due diligence like he should be, he should of had Leach number 1 on his list. This to me is the most frustrating thing about this whole search process. There are many other candidates that I would be happy with but to not even speak with Leach is absolutely mind boggling.
 



Personally, I don't even think the Adam James thing happened. I think he walked into a closet on his own doing and made a 13 second video. His dad destroyed SMU and that prima donna sense carried to him and he felt the need to ruin Texas Tech. Having a dad work for E!SPN also helped blow it out of proportion.
 

I don't know what to think. It's encouraging that Leach wants the job. Not sure if he'd say something similar about the other openings. Either way it's better than money being the number reason a coach comes here. I get that money and stability matters it would just be nice to find a candidate who wants the job for the job.
 


If the admin. at the U won't at least give the most qualified, realistic, and exciting job candidate an Interview then we have far less reason to be hopeful for the future than I thought. It's gonna feel like a hot knife if we pass on Leach now and he goes on to continue his success somewhere else.
 



"Leach said Maturi "seemed like a nice guy. I enjoyed his company. But if they're basing (the hire) on how you're dressed or something, rather than winning football games, they're doomed to repeating history."

+1000
 

This makes me want Leach, badly. Proven winner. Minor scuff on his resume, if that. Good graduation rate. Has a personality.
 

awag777 said:
This makes me want Leach, badly. Proven winner. Minor scuff on his resume, if that. Good graduation rate. Has a personality.
Click to expand...

You definitely shouldn't get your hopes up on Leach. He gave this interview yesterday while Bruininks or Maturi have been heard saying they got their man and seem to be wrapping things up.

Bottom line: you will only be disappointed if you hope he'll end up here.
 

Another thing that I think people in MN would love about Leach is that he appears to be able to find diamonds in the rough with kids who aren't as well recruited. I personally would think that would mean the Zach Vraa's, Grant Olson's, and other more division 1aa caliber MN recruits might end up in MN, and there is nothing more that us Minnesotans love than one of our own.
 

How about a "Leach for coach" rally outside of Maturi's office? If you could get 50 people that would represent major state men of increase in excitement about Gopher football. It would approach the crowd at some of the spring games.

I'm being sarcastic, but not much. Leach is clearly the person who would bring the best and most exciting product to the field the quickest with the best classroom results.
 

He'll end up in Miami because they know talent when they see it. Maturi is relying on Dave Mona?? to make this decision? Give me a break. This will be a travesty when Leach goes elsewhere.
 

Leach would be a hire of orgasmic proportions. I just don't see Maturi doing it though. Our hire must fit the category of "Minnesota Nice" to a tee. In other words, instead of disagreeing with people to their face and being outspoken and forthright, our new coach must talk behind people's backs and be passive aggressive about everything.
 

FFS. Leach is a known quantity and wants the job, yet it sounds like we haven't even talked to him. If we end up hiring a tier-B or lower coach I will be very disappointed knowing he's out there and is actively campaigning for the job. All it would prove is that Maturi doesn't have the guts to make a program-changing hire. He'd truly earn the 'Badger Joel' epithet in that case.
 

It's going to be really sad when Maturi hires someone we're lukewarm on and it doesn't appear he gave serious consideration to Belotti or Leach. Those should have been his first two interviews, and if he didn't shame on him.
 

The thing that concerns me most about LEach is that the players never rallied aroun Leach. In fact if i am remembering correctly most of them were glad he was gone. Now that is something i think recruits will be mindful of and other coaches will bring up. I have to admit i love the guys track record, but something just does not seem right with the guy.
 

I love that he's coming out and saying he wants the job. I want someone who is willing to go on record before negotiations to say I want the job. That's the kind of person we need here.

While I think whomever we get will be a good hire - they definitely wouldn't be as much fun as Leach. His press conferences alone would be must see TV.
 

I almost wish I hadn't read this. A qualified, proven winner is basically pleading for the job and Maturi won't even consider him. He better pull a freaking rabbit out of his ass.
 


In light of this interview, Brady Hoke will not do. Not with Leach begging. I bet he'd be up to an incentive based contract that Bruininks wants too.
 

Leach isn't coming, which is disappointing because he's a good coach who wants the job. This is going to hurt if we end up with a dud.
 

What's killing me is we have a PROVEN WINNER THAT ***WANTS*** TO COACH THE GOPHERS!!!

Maturi is gonna blow this hire...
 

A mid-major coach hire now would just feel like a punch in the gut and a even bigger disappointment. I can't fu*king believe they can really screw this up lik this. With Leach coming out publicly showing this level of interest!
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom