Monkeys With Typewriters

Mike Leach was fired as head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team on December 30, 2009. The dismissal comes days after Leach was suspended from coaching the team in the 2010 Alamo Bowl for alleged mistreatment of a player.

According to those close to Adam James, the Texas Tech player in question, Leach confined James to a hotel room for a long period of time. James had suffered a concussion on December 16, 2009, and was not permitted to practice at the of the alleged confinement.

Leach denied any wrongdoing in the incident and sought a court order to return and coach the team in the bowl game. He released a statement that read, “I have never and would never intentionally harm or endanger a player. I am committed to Texas Tech University and the well being of my football players.” The notice of dismissal was handed to Leach just moments before the scheduled court hearing on the request.

Texas Tech and Leach agreed to a contract extension back in February that would have paid Leach $12.7 million over five seasons. A bonus of $800,000 was scheduled to be paid out on December 31, 2009.