Mike Leach

If you've read or heard much of anything the past two days, you know, Mike Leach, the most successful coach in Texas Tech history, was fired yesterday. I'm not going to debate the merits of the firing. The administration decided to fire him: a few players are happy about it, a few aren't, the administration is happy about it, most fans aren't. I'm here to discuss what's next for Texas Tech football and for Mike Leach.

Texas Tech:
Ruin is in the forecast. They may get off without having to pay Mike Leach much, but their program will be in shambles for the foreseeable future. Mike Leach made this program what it is. There are no coaches out there that would go to Texas Tech who can sustain what Mike Leach has done. I have heard three names: Ruffin McNeil (current defensive coordinator and interim coach), Tommy Tuberville (former Auburn head coach) and Kevin Sumlin (head coach at Houston). McNeil cannot succeed at Tech. The D hasn't been great under him anyway, and how is he going to manage an offense? Sumlin could, but I think he has a better chance of taking Houston to a BCS game than he does at Tech...patience will pay off for him: he will eventually get a shot at a traditional power, and when he does, he'll have success and make the big bucks. Tuberville's SEC mindset might help on defense, but Tech has made it's living on offense, and in the Big 12, they will have to continue that. He could be a breath of fresh air, but coming to the interview, he might smell a little too much "fresh" air in Lubbock...

In reality, there aren't a lot of other quality coaches out there that would consider a move to Texas Tech. Certainly the Big Four from the non-BCS that are often mentioned wouldn't consider it for a second: Patterson at TCU, Petersen at Boise State, Whittingham at Utah, and Mendenhall at BYU. Their programs are all at a level equal to, if not above, Texas Tech right now.

Mike Leach:
I think he'll make a return to the University of Kentucky, assuming Rich Brooks does retire. Leach helped to usher in the most successful era in Kentucky football history. He coached Tim Couch in 1997 and 1998. Leach's offenses broke all kinds of school records in his two years. If he pulls out 7 or 8 wins next year, he may get a shot at a job at one of the bigger schools that will inevitably be hiring new coaches next year. Colorado. Illinois. Maryland. Michigan. Arizona State. Those are 5 BCS schools that may be hiring after next year, if they have another disappointing season. Colorado and Illinois will definitely have disappointing seasons...