Mike Leach (HC Mississippi State, a National Treasure, R.I.P.)

[jwinslow]

NJ, I think you just looked at one side of the cookie, flipped it but ended up looking at the same side twice

Other kids coming forward? no way... they were abused once... they won't volunteer for it again... Did it probably happen? Does a bear.... well, you know...

he's gone. There's nothing to stop them from coming forward.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

On TV here, they reported this morning that the equipment closet is apparently big enough that the press sometimes waits in there on rainy days? Is that true?

This is a pretty big room too... but don't sit on anything or touch a wall... stand there while you have a splitting headache.. and we'll have someone to make sure you don't

altho, in all fairness... I'm sure their room was completely empty except for the couches and soft music on Bose speakers...

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

NJ, I think you just looked at one side of the cookie, flipped it but ended up looking at the same side twice

Guilty your honor shouldn't you be working or something... dang smart ass kids...

 

[localyokel]

The place Leach gave himself a problem was in sending the kid to the "woodshed" when he certainly has a perfectly good training room/locker room/etc. available. Standing for a prolonged time in a darkened shed does have a ring to it more akin to a frat hazing or Marine boot camp than the concern for James' welfare that Leach's attorney suggested. That cookie may have two sides, and both of them may be wrong.

 

[kn1f3party]

... he's gone. There's nothing to stop them from coming forward.

Not only that, but you have people like Crabtree in the NFL now that would love to draw more attention to themselves if they knew of anything like this. Leach has been there long enough that there are a lot of players outside of the program now that could vouch for the statements the James family is making--nobody is though. Fo pointed it out earlier and it is exactly what I have been watching for--nothing but crickets so far.

I think Tech reacted based on the James family name and to preempt the "journalism" from ESPiN.

 

[localyokel]

This is a pretty big room too... but don't sit on anything or touch a wall... stand there while you have a splitting headache.. and we'll have someone to make sure you don't

altho, in all fairness... I'm sure their room was completely empty except for the couches and soft music on Bose speakers...

Jeez, Man, pick the place up a little before you invite company over.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

While we're at it.. I am POSITIVE Pete Carroll and Urban Meyer do this ALL THE TIME... where is ESPN when I need them

 

[OH10]

There is no cookie so flat it doesn't have two sides...

Never had a concussion so I'm not passing judgment... but I try to empathize as a parent.. and I'm sure I wouldn't be happy

From coaches perspective, seems like he went overboard.. regardless of what he felt about the kid... on brink of abusive... heck, if I have a severe headache and I have to stand for 2 hours with a spy to make sure I don't touch anything... come on... is that really necessary or abusive?

Other kids coming forward? no way... they were abused once... they won't volunteer for it again... Did it probably happen? Does a bear.... well, you know...

Will the school terminate the contract? I'd bet vdollars... the school doesn't suspend you unless there's more than just smoke... they know something...

There's a LOT of spin going on... both ways...

Your entire post assumes that the kid is 1) telling the truth; and 2) not exaggerating at all about the conditions. Not saying either isn't the case, but you are assuming a lot.

I heard someone (on ESPN of course) say the kid had no reason to lie about it. WHAT?!? No reason to lie when he's not playing and the coaching staff has labelled him a slacker? No reason to exaggerate when his family is pursuing a lawsuit? That's what half of all lawsuits are all about - exaggerating your side of the story.

I'll take a grain of salt on both sides of my cookie, thank you.

 

[localyokel]

Prior to this fiasco I had no desire to watch this game. After reading your post....I wouldn't miss it for the world(assuming the court enforces the injunction). Oh dear God, please let him win this injunction.

Now if we can just get Blount to sucker punch somebody again, and Urban to exit the Sugar Bowl field in an ambulance, this could be the most fun Bowl season ever!

BTW, ESPIN is saying Leach is fired now.

 

[808 Buck]

Finally, the recent trend of coaching news is troubling. For much of America and the increasing single parent homes, Coaches are the last line of instilling discipline and work ethic in kids. I'm not saying all of these cases involve a coach done wrong, but I am saying there is a noticeable pattern developing at all levels where that line of discipline is about to disappear.

Right on the money here. The only line that I might change would be that sometimes coaches are the first (and only) line of instilling discipline and work ethic.

I think that it goes without saying that Leach is a different kind of coach. But with his legal background, he knew what he was doing and the ramifications. He knew it would push the buttons of a high profile parent, and push the buttons on the higher-ups at Tech, with whom he already has had conflict (see last year's flirtation with Washington). If nobody else comes forward with mistreatment allegations, this looks like the classic overbearing parent coddling his kid. If there's any support stories, Leach will be looking for a new job.

 

[Steve19]

Now, the feeding frenzy is beginning to turn toward the young man.

Here are emails alleging that James was lazy and uncooperative, from assistant coaches and former players: (link).

Apparently, Dad has been demanding that his son start next year. " (link, link).

Leach's lawyer Ted Liggett disputed claims that James was locked in a dark "electrical closet." Two other sources told CBSSports.com that footage will be forthcoming that will show that one of the spaces where James was kept is actually a media interview room for visiting teams. Other players have told the Lubbock Avalanche Journal that they used a room where James was said to have been confined to get out of the heat.

"It's not some dungeon," former lineman Glenn January told the paper".

This will end badly for ESPiN and the James family, not Mike Leach.

 

[OH10]

BTW, ESPIN is saying Leach is fired now.

So does cnnsi.com (have to make sure we clarify because almost anything espn reports is a rumor until it is confirmed by a real news source)

 

[localyokel]

So does cnnsi.com (have to make sure we clarify because almost anything espn reports is a rumor until it confirmed by a real news source)

Well, I did see it first on a highly reliable news program: Jon Stewart's Daily Show.

In light of this, that Coach-In-Waiting gig for the 'Gators is looking pretty sweet. Can you imagine being the coach to step into Leach's shoes...the first time James Jr. needs to be disciplined? If he was a pain in the coaching staff's posterior before, now he's gonna be insufferable.

Just musing: what position does he play? Anything that depends on protection by your line? If so, we might find out how his teammates feel about him soon enough.

 

[jazzman]

officially fired......

Texas Tech fires football coach Leach - College Football - Rivals.com

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Hey wait... I didn't get to make my vbet first.. I could've make some serious vdollars... :(

OH10... salty cookies are terrible...

Show of hands... how many doubt Leach did this? How many believe the kid exaggerated? How many parents would be PO'd if it was their kid? How many would be PO'd if Leach did this to THEM when they were dealing with a concussion?

The truth be told... I really don't care a lot either way... cuz I don't have a dog in this fight... but I do have an aversion for butt heads and Leach was a butt head in this one.. send the kid to the trainers room