Leach To Stay In Lubbock

Just when it seemed like contract talks might have stalled between coach Mike Leach and Texas Tech, the two sides agreed on a five-year, $12.7 million deal. The deal was significant because it allowed for Leach to interview other universities as long as notified the athletic director in writing beforehand. This is probably a direct effect of former Boston College coach and current offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jeff Jagodzinski. Jagodzinski was warned that if he interviewed for an NFL head coaching job that he would be fired as head coach for Boston College. When he decided to interview anyway, the school let him go.

Leach was intent with continuing on his current five-year, $10 million deal, (he had two years left on that contract) because there was no clause for negotiating with other schools. Now that Leach only has to notify the athletic director in writing, he decided to go forward in contract negotiations.

Texas Tech is coming off one of their best seasons ever, getting as high as #2 in the rankings. They played spoiler when they beat Texas on a last second pass to Michael Crabtree. A lot of that has to be credited to Leach who is open to spreading the field. Giving his quarterback plenty of options makes for quick scores and confusion on defense which is exactly what Leach wants.

Tech could be in for a tough year next season though. Quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree are gone and replacing them will be next to impossible. But then again, Leach is used to having a challenge in front of him. He resolved one issue today, and only time will tell if the other issue will be resolved.