Golberg's Way: Mike Leach unfairly let go?

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It's been over a week since my last post and I did have an idea on where I wanted things to go today, but when I got a call from one Josh Golberg to sound off on this whole Mike Leach fiasco going on at Texas Tech, I couldn't refuse. Golberg could be the college sports guy for Wilber's Way and would like to see him continue to send me things like this. It's well done and would welcome more. (Yeah, I hope he's reading this!) So here goes!

For those following college football and Capital One Bowl Week more closely than our man Wilber here, something happened today that made my blood boil: Mike Leach, the head coach of Texas Tech, was fired.

Now, I’m a Wisconsin Badgers fan. With the exception of taking an inexplicable liking to Boise State (7-8 years ago), that has been my only college allegiance. I cheer for no other college team save for my alma mater, UW-Whitewater. I neither like, nor dislike, Texas Tech. Although I did admire them for going out and getting a proven winner for their hoops team a few years ago…namely Bobby Knight.

To sum up the problem: sophomore wide receiver Adam James (son of ESPN football analyst Craig James) suffered a concussion and coach Leach apparently had him locked/sequestered in an equipment room/broom closet or some other small enclosure under the supervision of a trainer. James reported this to the administration. They promptly suspended Leach for the Alamo Bowl. Leach filed a motion to coach the team. Tech then fired him. That pretty much brings us up to speed.

Couple things to consider before looking at the so-called “victim” in this case (Adam James)… 1) It seemed like Leach really never got along with the administration. After last season [their best in history, by the way] Leach got locked in a contract extension snafu and was moments from heading elsewhere before signing a 5-year, nearly $13 million deal to stay. 2) He was due an $800,000 bonus TOMORROW just for being the head coach on Dec. 31st. Store these two things away.

If you know anything about college athletes…they’re babies, whiners, prima donnas and walking time bombs. James’ statistics at Tech this year are nothing staggering: 17 catches with 1 touchdown this year. All this while playing in a pass-happy offense. Assuming you have a scholarship at Tech as a wide receiver, one can only assume you can run a route, catch the ball in traffic and hang onto it. But…Tech currently has 21 receivers on its roster. Yes…21!!!

Okay…you poor all these into a mixing bowl, add some butter, flour, a dash of cinnamon and a cup of milk…tah-dah…you’ve got a pretty good recipe for a scandal. At least that’s the way I see it. So here’s MY working theory on how this went down…starting from the beginning:

-Adam James thinks highly of his playing abilities as a receiver.

-He goes to Texas Tech, a place he thinks he can blossom a la Michael Crabtree.

-James gets lost in the shuffle, probably throws a few tantrums about playing.

-Coach Leach despises this behavior.

-James gets a concussion and continues to gripe.

-Citing concern for James’ safety, Leach locks him away for three hours.

-James gets out of said closet/room and phones bigwig poppa.

-Daddy at ESPN phones Texas Tech athletic director.

-Athletic director phones University president.

-Administrators, fearing boycott of ESPN programming, are compelled to act.

-They suspend Leach, hoping an apology is issued on his behalf.

-Leach does no such thing, feels he did no wrong and fights it.

-University officials wet their pants not foreseeing this.

-The dorky University accountant in the corner says they could save 800 large by firing him before midnight tomorrow.

-Texas Tech fires Coach Mike Leach.

Does this seem plausible and extremely likely to anyone else, given what we know?

Did the kid do something to piss off the coach? Maybe. Was he in grave danger or his life in danger while he was locked in that closet/room for three hours? Doubtful. Regardless, isn’t it a coach’s job to dictate discipline and penalize his players? If the player has a problem with it, so what? If he’s put in harms way, then it’s a problem. But have any of the trainers said anything? Or the assistant coaches? Not that I’ve heard or read. Maybe we should get their opinion.

It boils down to one simple thing, which we’re seeing more of: parents (specifically fathers) getting more involved with their son’s or daughter’s collegiate career and believe they know what’s better for him/her than the coach. Factor in someone with money/power/creditability or a big reputation and something bad is bound to happen.

We’re seeing this more and more as a different generation of youth transition into adulthood. Kids think they deserve more for doing less. The likelihood that Adam James was given every opportunity to succeed in the athletic world is extremely high. I’m guessing when he found out his skills didn’t match up with those around him, he did his best to put it on the coach for some other reason not involving him being talented enough to hack it. So what’s the answer? In this day and age…go crying to daddy.

See... That was pretty good! He's got a Nussie Hunter segment for today too, but I need to get a little jab in on the Bears' HUGE win over the Vikings Monday night.



I didn't get a chance to watch the Bears game Monday night as I was watching my ninth basketball game of the day for that other Web site I write for. But I was following along with the game and was getting texts all night from friends as the Bears played out of their minds for over three quarters, nearly blew the game and then seized it back.
Jay Cutler earned himself FedEx Air player of the week honors and showed what many fans, including myself, had expected of him all year. And you're saying where did this come from? Well, it's simple. Watch how much time Jay had to throw in the pocket. Each time Jay was able to survey the field and move around a bit in the pocket he hit the guy he wanted to.
It was something that was missing all year. He's been running for his life and instead of taking the sack, he tries to make stuff happen which results in the interception.
I'd say two things on the matter. First, Chris Williams showed he is the man at left tackle and will be there for the foreseeable future. That has to make Jay happy and helps solidify this offensive line that has been in flux all season. Second, I'm pretty sure Lovie saved his job, but someone is still going to take the fall for this rough season as the Bears will make a change at offensive coordinator. I'm not sure who that will be, but Jay is the key to the puzzle and they need to build around him. Start there and get him the pieces to make this team a winner. I'm talking wide receiver, offensive line, everything.

Alright, now it's time for the Nussie Hunter of Golberg's choice:

This gentlemen, is Lucy Pinder. Do you know of her? My guess is no. And that in itself, is a travesty. She’s 26 and an English model/actress. And the last time I checked her Wikipedia page, her cup size was a letter of the alphabet I normally don’t associate that measurement with. (It’s since been removed I think) What I love about Britain, is that they do photo shoots and magazine spreads that make American’s uncomfortable. Please note that this does not bother me. If you want more of her…try Google or her official website. Just make sure you’ve taken your heart medication.