Report: Texas Tech Could Dump Leach, Pursue Briles

With coach Mike Leach and Texas Tech in a stalemate over a contract extension, there is a chance for this affair to take a turn toward the absurd: Texas Tech could fire Leach. You read that correctly. A coach who just led his program to one of its greatest seasons ever could get fired because of an inability to reach some type of peace on a contract extension that is on the table. The thinking goes that if Tech can’t come to some accord with Leach – who has two years remaining on his deal – school officials could just turn the page now rather than having him return to coach the final two years of his contract. But would Tech really fire Leach? Such a move would be ridiculed across the nation. Leach’s agents have no issue with financial terms of Tech’s offer, which is a five-year, $12.7 million contract that computes to around $2.5 million per season. But the deal includes several provisions that Leach’s camp find unacceptable. He has until Tuesday to accept or decline a contract he was presented in early January. Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers could not immediately be reached for comment. If the unthinkable happens – Leach gets fired – don’t be shocked if Tech makes a run at Baylor coach Art Briles, who was running backs coach at Tech under Leach from 2000-02. Another possibility is that defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill could be promoted to the top spot. Still, the likelihood of a firing seems remote. Texas Tech has to make this work. Losing Leach would have a crippling effect on the program and the school. – Rivals.com