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Topic: Mike Leach Brilliant but Contriversal!
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 02-21-2012 07:05 AM
Intersesting read but if you do not like foul lanuage "don't" click on the Link you tube video in the article. He may be a coach that will win a lot of games but as a person he is the pits. imo
There's no disputing Leach's talent as a coach. In addition to the 10 bowl games in 10 years at Texas Tech, he had one of the highest-rated passing offenses. Art called it "an absolute spectacle."
"The guy is a master innovator on offense. Very accomplished. I think he's going to make Cougar football as exciting as it's ever been."
But, Art says Leach is unorthodox, high maintenance and blunt spoken. He says things about his own players as well as other players that are not politically correct, as demonstrated in a YouTube video of Leach addressing his Texas Tech team after a loss to Baylor in 2009 (warning, the video contains explicit language).
Texas Tech fired Leach for insubordination in 2008. He was accused of locking a player (Aaron James, son of ESPN commentator Craig James) in a shed during a practice.
Leach said James had a concussion and he told him to go to an open room to be in the shade, so the sun wouldn't bother him. Leach sued Texas Tech and ESPN for wrongful termination. That lawsuit is still pending.
Leach has also had other clashes. He was fined $10,000 by the Big-12 for accusing officials of being biased toward the University of Texas.
In a column on the website Sportspress Northwest, Art wrote that the University of Washington was interested in hiring Leach to replace Tyrone Willingham in 2008. But they deemed him too controversial. And that was before his lawsuit against Texas Tech.
"Until there is resolution, I think Leach was radioactive to most schools. Washington State was in a desperate situation and they had the cash now that they didn't have before. They said 'let's make a deal.' And Leach apparently agreed to terms almost immediately to get back in the game, especially at a place where he can build up very, very quickly."
Link
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
Posts: 186363 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Old Norm
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Member # 1482
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posted 02-21-2012 10:54 AM
Sounds a lot like Gillispe, except he can coach.
[ 02-21-2012, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: Old Norm ]
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Pray For Our Country!
Posts: 36281 | From: Western KY | Registered: Aug 2001
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ukcatfannfl
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Member # 1425
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posted 02-21-2012 03:18 PM
I don't buy it that he is such a bad person: Taking each point:
Don't forget the James kid was an ESPN commentaters son so that got a lot of press. There is a law suit pending by Leach and I have heard stories ref this incident that it was certainly taken out of context as evidenced by the lawsuit.
Cussing - all coaches do that. Ever listen to the DUKE coach? Anyone think that Saben and Miles dont do the same?
Officials been biased - Lots and lots of coaches think the same - Leach had the ba%%s to say so in public. (how many times has Tony Green been acussed by us (and coaches in private) of the same thing?
All in all a nice story but the facts are that he can coach and lots of coaches do the cussing and talk about biased coaching and there is a lawsuit pending that Leach filed against his former school.
I would take him in a minute if he were available to put some "life" not to mention a fun offense in our program! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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ukcatfannfl
Posts: 8771 | From: Inverness, FL | Registered: Jun 2001
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boomdaddy
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Member # 2644
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posted 02-23-2012 10:25 AM
I think Leach got a bad rap because of the influence of a parent that had ties with ESPN. The AD was an idiot to get rid of him. I fail to see the comparison of him to that turd Billy Clyde. I am hoping that UK can fix their offensive woes, this upcoming season. If not, I welcome a change and Leach would definately be one of my top picks, should the job be open. Yes, Joker deserves three years. The perfect scenario would be for UK to have a great year, starting with a win over the Cards, and they build on it. But, if they come out with an offense that can't score, there will be more and more discussions about who will be the next coach.
Posts: 8791 | From: paris, ky | Registered: Mar 2006
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kynut
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Member # 2934
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posted 02-24-2012 10:30 AM
There has to be a lot of merit to Leach's lawsuit against TTU because the Texas Supreme Court has allowed the suit to continue even though state law gives immunity to state departments and institutions. TTU's actions in the Leach situation were so egregious that it would be a violation of Leach's rights not to allow him to seek justice, therefore the Supreme Court says the lawsuit must continue despite state law that prohibits it. Leach will collect a lot of money from the State of TexaS.....BET ON IT.
Yes, Leach is flaky and abrasive, but boy, can he coach. Adolph Rupp was abrasive too but we loved him because he was a winner. I'd hire Leach tomorrow if I was UK AD.
kynut
[ 02-24-2012, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: kynut ]
Posts: 238 | From: Virginia USA | Registered: Jan 2008
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 02-24-2012 05:19 PM
He is another Gillispe but he prefers to lock his players in closets. I'm sure Barnhart wouldn't make that mistake again and it doesn't make any differance if he has won every game he ever coached. The athletes at Kentucky deserve better.
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
Posts: 186363 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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boomdaddy
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Member # 2644
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posted 02-25-2012 04:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by catmandoo:
He is another Gillispe but he prefers to lock his players in closets. I'm sure Barnhart wouldn't make that mistake again and it doesn't make any differance if he has won every game he ever coached. The athletes at Kentucky deserve better.
I respect your opinion, but I totally disagree on the Clyde reference. From what I have read about it, the Dad (Craig James), was constantly harrassing the coaches even during games. The story about his kid has been mis reported as to the all of the actual events. The kid did not have the talent that his dad had, but the parent didn't seem to think so. By the way, ESPN has a habit of not only employing loose cannons in the form of former players and coaches like Craig James and Bobby Knight, but also not admitting they made a mistake and keeping them around.
Now, it seems, that turd, Craig James, is running for US Senate in Texas. It seems fitting. He was on the take at SMU. He should be a natural at accepting bribes, should he get voted into office. I fully expect him to get elected. If he can bring down a winning coach by his influence, I am sure he can get a bunch of dumb voters to put him in office.
[ 02-25-2012, 05:27 AM: Message edited by: boomdaddy ]
Posts: 8791 | From: paris, ky | Registered: Mar 2006
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Tiptree
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Member # 844
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posted 02-28-2012 05:45 AM
I do believe that John Calipari was considered "brilliant, but controversial" before he came to UK. Just sayin'.
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Tiptree
“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Thomas Jefferson
Posts: 13709 | From: Terre Haute, IN | Registered: Sep 2000
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