Leach interested in Minn. job
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/20/mike-leach-open-to-…
i know this possibility has been discussed on the board, but i don't recall seeing an overt statement by leach that he might be interested.
with the inclusion of nebraska, i kind of hope minnesota remains a cellar dweller.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^
What job wouldn't Leach be interested in?
October 20th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
child protection services.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
He would probably be interested in that too.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
Concussion Experts of America?
October 20th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^
is right up the road from the Minnesota campus.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
He would have his own closet... and the key.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
evaluator and spokesperson for Jenny Craig.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:51 PM ^
Heard the sisterhood is really upset with him.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^
Nanny for the James family.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^
the Minnesota administration is going to be too keen on him. Leach is still too much of a risk. They're going to go conservative after having been burned by taking a flyer on Brewster.
I'd love to see him up there, though. The Big 10 would get a whole lot more interesting regardless of what their team accomplishes.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
Leach is still too much of a risk.
I hope you aren't implying that Leach might not be a good coach. He built Texas Tech into a nationally ranked team. What else would he have to do to prove himself?
October 20th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
I believe he was referring to his coaching policies and why he was axed from his old job.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
You mean how butthurt Craig James got about his son's playing time?
If Craig James wasn't a national talking head on ESPN, Leach would still be at Tech and competing for big12 titles.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
Don't know about that. Tech was looking for a reason to fire him.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
Texas Tech officials almost certainly know more about what went on than you or I do. They deemed it a terminable offense. There is no reason to disbelieve that.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
From what I gathered, Texas Tech officials and Leach had not seen eye to eye for some time prior to the Adam James shenanigans. See JungleChop's post above - there's a strong case to be made that either they were looking for an excuse to give him the axe, or in less conspiratorial terms that locking Mr. James in timeout was but the last straw.
Strange thing, this "there's no reason to question the official statement" trope that's been bandied about here lately.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
All that doesn't change the fact that he punished a concussed player instead of sending him for medical treatment. People defending Leach have rationalized it by calling James a crybaby and claiming that the shed was actually comfortable or whatever. It doesn't change the facts of what happened.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
That is only if you believe the James family side of the story. I find it more credible that many players were willing to step out and say that James was a baby and had a huge sense of entitlement. Also, it came out that James went into that electrical closet on his own and was specifically told NOT to go in there. We probably will never know the whole truth, but I don't think you can just matter a factly state that he punished a concussed player, bc there are many stories that directly refute that.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
There are two sides to every story. I'm going to not trust the collage age kid that just happens to have 'silver-spoon-itis'.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:27 PM ^
Leach told Adam James not to come to practice that day if he was not going to participate. James, being a smart-ass, showed up anyways with sunglasses on, but would not participate. James had already received medical treatment.
October 20th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^
Creative punishment isn't illegal. The kid said he couldn't practice, came to practice in normal clothes (e.g. not prepared to work out) and sunglasses, claiming sunlight was exacerbating his condition. Leach sent him somewhere there was no sunlight. (an equipment shed). As a former fball player, my take: 1. fuck James for cocking off like that to a coach. Showing up not ready to at least run or do something productive is an insult to the team; and 2. good for Leach showing his team that he doesn't care who your parents are, he expects everyone to follow the same rules. So what if the guy's punishment was a little off kilter? No one got hurt, save maybe the ego of Craig/Adam James and, honestly, who cares if their self-esteem was damaged?
Also, that would suck if Minnesota hired him. Personally, as an Indiana alumni, I was hoping for Leach to go IU when everyone realizes that Lynch is a career loser who can't coach defense.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:53 AM ^
in that he's a loose cannon. He can certainly coach, but I don't think the administration has much of a stomach for his potential antics.
I love the guy, but from what I have seen out of MN they want someone squeaky-clean and dignified. They don't have enough Maalox on hand to deal with Leach.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
I disagree. I think they know they need a spark.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
If Minnesota wants to be legit, they will have to take a chance no matter what. Minnesota would be lucky to have leach; but as I said in another thread, Minnesota will be in our division next year, so I don't mind them continuing their gopher ways.
What other coaches are available? I hear ND fans are disappointed Kelly's not taking them to a BCS Championship, so maybe he'll become available.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^
I would love to see his press conferences though, funny guy.
"My players can't play with a guy like Denard, he's too fast, it just isn't gonna happen, they're too used to chasin' their fat little girl friends around!"
-Leach (sometime in the near future)
October 20th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
I am just glad that wouldn't be a "this year" type of thing. Can you imagine if Leach was there and had his offense up and running, what they would do to the Michigan Defense right now sheesh... Here's to program transition!
October 20th, 2010 at 11:46 AM ^
Brewster = Suck
Leach = Loose cannon who can coach his azz off
I don't want to play any Leach coached team on a yearly basis. Not good for ulcers and what not.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
This makes way too much sense for it to happen. Leach knows how to win with the 3rd or 4th-best recruits in Texas, so imagine what he could do with better resources, a more established name, and even lower expectations from a fanbase. He would immediately open some form of a pipeline in Texas, would have first crack at some decent MN talent, and would make Minny a dangerous team even if they never eclipse the likes of OSU/UM/Wiscy/Iowa in the B10. And for all of the concerns about his departure from TT, I'm fairly certain you won't see a repeat at Minny.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
Sounds great to me, too.
Academically, Minnesota is in a different class academically from Texas Tech (who has no peer in the Big Ten, or even close ... not even Sparty). Leach is an educated guy, but I wonder if his general looniness would spook the UMinn administration too much.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
Do you really think that it would be easier to recruit at Minny than at TT?
October 20th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
Minnesota just built a brand new stadium and ... have you ever been to Lubbuck Texas?
October 20th, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^
Lubbock bllloooowwwsssss and is at least 3 hours from anything relevant.
October 20th, 2010 at 1:27 PM ^
Much easier. In Texas, TT is maybe the 3rd or 4th most-relevant program, depending on how you view TCU. In Minny, a coach will have a legit chance at any in-state talent, plus neighboring states like the Dakotas and, really, the rest of the B10. Plus, Minneapolis is a great city, the stadium is beautiful, and the academic rankings are quite a bit better than TT, which would also help.
October 20th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
The Dakotas are not exactly known as a hot bed for football talent. Just because the Dakota schools beat Minnesota every year does not mean they should start relying on the talent here.
October 21st, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^
Oh yeah, I know that the Dakotas are not major talent pools by any stretch, but still, they are nearby states that must produce at least a couple of D1 prospects a year. Leach has shown an ability to win with "system guys" over raw talent, so having even mediocre talent would probably push Minny up from the abyss that was Brewster.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:43 PM ^
Exciting, dynamic coach with contacts in TX. You have a new stadium to fill. If you are Minnesota, who cares if he is nuts.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^
co-ordinator. As a head coach with discipline etc. not so much.
Howeva, Golden Spoon James is a snot along with his daddy. Craig has a lot of nerve to call people on integrity. SMU, Death Penalty anyone?
October 20th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
Leach had a better graduation rate and record of player discipline than just about any coach I can think of. This wapo article says it was 79%, good for 8th best in the country.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/30/AR2009123002278.html
Also, I can't think of a single high profile player discipline incident, but that might be because I dont follow Texas Tech.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
Hiring Leach would be a nightmare for us. He takes random QB parts and figuratively assembles them into human artillery pieces. The prospect of facing a Leach offense on a semi regular basis is terrifying.
I'm hoping Minnesota goes the ultra safe and conservative route, and hires Steve Addazio from Florida.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
Steve Addazio is a great position coach and a horrible coordinator. The peter principle is telling you is he should be a position coach. Why give him a chance as a head coach?
October 20th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
because he wants Minnesota to suck
October 20th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
Put heaters in the tool sheds near the practice field.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^
I'm imagining the Harrell - Crabtree passing spread vs. our secondary and may just crawl under my desk and sulk.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^
We should clarify that all Leach said was "I'm in a position to listen to anybody."
October 20th, 2010 at 12:12 PM ^
that's right, but he said that in response to a specific question about the minnesota job. since it's rare to see a candidate affirmatively mention a job he's interested in, this is about a strong of a show of interest as you're going to find.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^
It's rare to see a coach who is currently employed talk about another job, but a guy in Leach's position is free to say whatever he wants. That statement could mean anything.
October 20th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
you're right, what i was saying applies more strongly to employed coaches, but even unemployed ones don't like to be seen as openly campaigning for a job. they think it makes them look desperate, right or wrong.