Tech looks at new deal with Leach
Football coach could make $1 million a year with contract extension


11:49 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 7, 2003

By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News

LUBBOCK – Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said the administration has begun formulating a new contract offer for coach Mike Leach in the wake of the football team's 4-1 start this season.

Myers said he already has had discussions with new university president Jon Whitmore about a significant salary increase and a contract extension. A university source said a contract worth $1 million annually is being discussed.

Leach is scheduled to make $602,500 this season. His contract runs through 2005.

Myers, however, would not indicate when a new deal would be presented to Leach's agent, Gary O'Hagan of International Management Group. Myers did say that he does not want any contract negotiations to become a distraction.

"I don't say 'I' a lot," Myers said. "But I want Mike to be our coach. We're going to work to that end to keep him as our coach. ... I like the way our team is going and the way this program is going. I think he's doing a great job with our team."

For months, Leach has refused to comment about his contract status. O'Hagan declined to comment Tuesday.

Tech offered to increase Leach's guaranteed outside income by $150,000 after last season, which would bring his total package to $752,500. But Leach never signed the contract addendum and has never publicly said why.

A contract worth $1 million would bring Leach up to the standard in the Big 12 South. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops has a contract worth an estimated $2.1 million per year. Mack Brown's contract at Texas is worth $1.7 million.

Texas A&M's Dennis Franchione and Baylor's Guy Morriss are over the $1 million mark. Oklahoma State's Les Miles has a contract that will reach $1 million by its completion.

If Leach had a $1 million contract, he would become the university's highest-paid employee.

Myers said initiating contract negotiations now has nothing to do with growing speculation that Arizona will hire Leach after the season.

Several Arizona newspapers have linked Leach to the job because his offense, ranked first nationally at 591.2 yards per game, would energize the Wildcats' fan base. Arizona plays in the Pac-10 Conference, where offense is at a premium.

"Nobody from Arizona has called me," Myers said. "I don't think anybody from Arizona has called Mike. No official person, anyway."

E-mail brdavis@dallasnews.com

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleges/texastech/stories/100803dnspotech.2a0d3.html

Leach better sign before the Raiders play in Austin.

That's a lot of stamps...



"Yes, we feel a gamble may be necessary at key points in the season. We do not focus on what would happen if it does not work. I do not coach with the fear of being criticized. Prefer to do what is necessary to win, based on what I feel is the best choice at the time. Do not coach in fear, ever."
- Bob Stoops on the 10/01 Jim Rome show

Don't want to say "I told you so", but


I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!

Has the moonshine, for sand, for tumbleweed trade triangle picked up in business again?

Leach will be gone after this year, IMO

Ags biggest fear comes true......This is just what Leach was looking for. The package starting point will be around 1 mill, and the final version will probably be in the 1.2 to 1.5 range.

For all of you that said I was talking internet BS the past few days about a deal in the works for Leach, I told you this would come out soon........

Leach should sign a two-year deal. I think his offense might have 1 or 2 years worth of legs in it before everyone figures it out. By this time next year, big schools will have the horses to handle it. But if he can keep the ball spinning for two years, the deal ends, and he's got a much better track record in terms of renegotiating or getting a better offer elsewhere. If his record isn't that good, other offers won't show up, but the tech brass will still love him to death. THEN he signs the longterm deal.
That bold non-statement and $59.95 will get you a gallon of AlfaKleen industrial Floor Wax 5.



[This message has been edited by Not_a_sip (edited 10/8/2003 8:39a).]

Can't remember all of the details, but didn't Alabama try to sweeten the deal for Fran during the season last year before he bolted for A&M. My personal guess, and it is only a guess, is that this is motivated by something more than a 4-1 record. Someone has been talking to someone, and I think Myers and/or tt boosters realize that Leach leaving could actually be a reality (regardless of what they are saying in the papers....again, see the Fran deal from last year).

Again, this sounds awfully familiar (almost textbook) to how the Ags pulled Fran away from Alabama. If I were a tt fan, I would at least be nervous at this point. Nothing is on paper yet, but my guess is that someone from Arizona or somewhere else has at least made an unofficial inquiry to Leach's agent. To bama/A&M fans, this whole thing is starting to have a familiar ring to it. Of course, I am only speculating, and I really don't know too much about the situation, other than what I read.

[This message has been edited by FireAg (edited 10/8/2003 8:52a).]

Yeah, the Fran deal was going down well before the shuttle diplomacy hit the papers. If anyone will remember, I was posting about it (vaguely, i admit, to protect sources close the action) two or three weeks before it became public knowledge. And I'm pretty sure that the regents, specifically Mays, were orchestrating weeks before then.

That was the last and only time, by the way, that I've been plugged in to that particular loop.

[This message has been edited by Not_a_sip (edited 10/8/2003 8:53a).]

Not_a_sip-

Do you agree, then, that the Leach thing right now sounds a bit familiar?

quote:

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Myers said initiating contract negotiations now has nothing to do with growing speculation that Arizona will hire Leach after the season.

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Riiiiiight!

uh, yeah, maybe.
I'm familiar with how media works. To study what's been printed/broadcast, you have to become something like a Kremlinologist and read between the lines.

Here's what to look for in this scenario: Leach is being looked at by AZ, and tech wants to tie him up to a long-term contract.

If the information comes from university sources, it might be suspect. University officials are probably out of the loop as far as other job offers go. Logically, your boss won't know about job offers you get. They might want to offer him the big simolians, but they don't know what's going on in Tucson. BIG EXCEPTION: If Montford was still in charge, he'd be all over this like the cheap cologne favored by DorkByBirth.

If the stories come from other sources, they might have some merit. Other sources include assistant coaches, Leach himself (this is an old Colin Powell ploy with Beltway reporters) or from alums of the school that's recruiting him. That's how Lowry scored Fran. That's how Tom Hicks scored Old Yelloer. In both cases, the university brass wasn't even involved.
They had plausible deniability.

A third possiblity, of course, especially at university papers and small dailies like the AJ, is that the reporters may be interpreting things incorrectly. That's not a dig at those two pubs, per se, but more of a comment on the saavy and experience of the individual reporter. Reporters with lots of experience will tend to understand the nuance of these deals more than some young cub reporter, though that doesn't mean a young cub reporter can't nail a story.

I hope this makes some sense.


[This message has been edited by Not_a_sip (edited 10/8/2003 9:09a).]

quote:

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But Leach never signed the contract addendum and has never publicly said why.

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Not a good answer!

I guess what I find peculiar is that prior to Fran actually showing-up on College Station, on a private jet, all of the media in Alabama had him staying....arguably, one of the best snow-jobs in recent history. The only thing that is missing is talk of the buzz on Arizona and/or other school's boards. Anyone know what the talk is there? For us, that's how we started to know that something was up. However, it is probably a little early for any serious buzz. I just find it hard to believe that Myers ups the ante without some private knowledge of a credible push to lure Leach away from tech.

Again, you never really know for sure until the new coach shows-up at your town's airport for his 'interview'.

Guys, I told you this was going to happen several days ago. There has been an internal alumn push to get Leach signed and increase the package starting at the beginning of the year. I am not saying talk of AZ or other schools isn't helping fuel the fire, but it was not the driving factor. This started months ago..........

[This message has been edited by raiderjay (edited 10/8/2003 9:20a).]

rj-

I have no doubt, but surely Myers gave Leach's agent an advance notice that they were going to sweeten the pot. The fact that Leach hasn't signed anything tells me that he is at least going to 'entertain' other offers. Again, just from our own experience, the longer a coach delays signing a new deal, the more nervous I would be....it is a recipe for "see ya' later", in my opinion. It is early yet, so hand-wringing is probably not quite in order, but if a deal doesn't get done soon, and those other big-name schools haven't hired someone new yet, I would start to think that the writing is on the wall for tech fans. Should be interesting to see how this plays out.

not-a-sip - That's a good read. I would add a few speculations on what I see. By ignoring the first offer of $150M increase, Leach and his agent have already signaled their willingness to play hardball.

By going public with the first and now a second trial balloon that is more than double the first offer, Tech is negotiating through the media. Moreover they are doing it in the middle of the season, which is disruptive no matter how much they'd like to claim otherwise. It also smacks of a weakness in their position and a strong need to appease alumni. If they had decent communication with Leach and his agent and a viable position, it would be kept private.

As the season goes on, other coaches will be in trouble and other schools will come looking. Leach and his agent would appear to be waiting for a bidding war which would result in the best deal. I would assume that after his experience losing assistants last year, Leach will want a large budget that will insure retention of his coaches. Tech is going to have to spend a lot more than a million to retain Leach if he continues to have a good year and the question remains:

Will he be willing to stay considering his relationship with Myers and the treatment he's gotten from a bunch of the old grads when he can get a good deal elsewhere?

Uva Uvum Vivendo Varia Fit

Myers has moved on the deal b/c of pressure, but not from AZ, from alumni. He has been flooded with emails, phone calls, and letters. MOst importantly, the GOBs have now told him to make the offer. They are the ones who get things done at Tech, an rpior to this year they still weren't sold on Leach.

Jay is right, with incentives, this deal will reach the $1.5m range. That puts AZ out of the mix, they won't pay much more than that, if any. Florida is the only real threat, and altough their fans are foaming to can Zook, I've read somewhere that he's tight with the AD and the big backers, they kmnow he has a young team and are going to at least give him one more year.

This is a very nice step, I am proud of the GOBs, they must have lit a fire under Myers' ass b/c as of Monday night he wasn't doing anything until the end of the season.


I can sense the slightest human suffering.
Sensing anything now?

Then there's AZ's position, and how it fits in.
They are desperate. They let a bad situation fester. They are in a major conference. They need to make a major, symbolic, kicka&& move.

They need a big name. The only ones available aren't good. There's Neuhesel and Mike Price, but they both have a stink on them that ain't going away for a while.

They need a heavy hitter. But the heavy hitters of the world aren't going to go to Tucson.

So they will settle for a successful up and comer. Leech, thanks to the avalanche building around Symons, may be that guy. His the Svengali behind BJ's numbers. Beating A&M again and so soundly gave them some national love.

AZ can outbid Tech. While I don't think AZ is a step up, lots of others will because of its proximity to California TV markets and population. And Leech has proven that he can do well with limited resources.

Again, this bold non-statement and $2625 will get you a 1992 Buick Skylark.

1. Contract offered = yes
2. Contract siged = no
3. Leach's current postion = driver's seat
4. Leach's future at tt = uncertain

grego: a masterful job of summary

And, if Leach truly believes he's a guru's guru, the Pac 10 doesn't have an OU or an every-other-year-Texas to constantly dispel that notion. If he likes track meets, the Pac 10 is the place to be.

Dub,

quote:

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By ignoring the first offer of $150M increase, Leach and his agent have already signaled their willingness to play hardball.

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First of all, that really wasn't much of an extension. Leach gambled and won, he thought if he waited and did well this year, he could get more.

quote:

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By going public with the first and now a second trial balloon that is more than double the first offer, Tech is negotiating through the media. Moreover they are doing it in the middle of the season, which is disruptive no matter how much they'd like to claim otherwise. It also smacks of a weakness in their position and a strong need to appease alumni. If they had decent communication with Leach and his agent and a viable position, it would be kept private.

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Well, Tech has the weaker negotiating posistion, do doubt. Leach grabbed the upper hand with his team's performance this year.

quote:

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As the season goes on, other coaches will be in trouble and other schools will come looking. Leach and his agent would appear to be waiting for a bidding war which would result in the best deal. I would assume that after his experience losing assistants last year, Leach will want a large budget that will insure retention of his coaches. Tech is going to have to spend a lot more than a million to retain Leach if he continues to have a good year and the question remains:

Will he be willing to stay considering his relationship with Myers and the treatment he's gotten from a bunch of the old grads when he can get a good deal elsewhere?

---

First of all, most of his staff left b/c they were offered head coaching jobs, not b/c they weren't paid. The DC was kind of forced out, and he still ended up somewhere in the NFL.

There is no doubt the Myers/Leach relationship has been strained, but how much no one really knows. There are outside factors working in Tech's favor. Also, like I said, AZ ain't gonna pay much more than $1.5m, and if he left he'd be starting over. He has his program in pretty good shape right now, his wife likes Lubbock, they have small kids in school, if the money is fairly equal, I think he stays, just my $.02.

Also, you can't really compare the situation with Fran to this one. A&M had an ace in the hole b/c of all the NCAA problems at 'Bama. Fran was lied to, I believe going in, and then after being there, realized that they were in some trouble. I don't think you can discount that as a motivating factor.

It's very flattering, however, to see how badly you ags want our coach to leave.



I can sense the slightest human suffering.
Sensing anything now?

Buck-

Agree with your statement that the Fran and Leach situations are not 'exactly' the same because of the probation stuff at bama. However, I would like to know how exactly you are 100% sure AZ wouldn't put up more than $1.5 million to get back into the swing of the Pac-10. Are you good friends with some AZ alums, or are you just speculating like everyone else?

quote:

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It's very flattering, however, to see how badly you ags want our coach to leave

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Ever time you write something, I think you've reached a nadir in intelligence (or an apex in stupidity). And then, son of a gun, you come back with something like this that again sets the standards of bitterness. I can almost hear you howl as you type.

Ags aren't writing the stories that have AZ looking for your coach. We aren't the ones who failed to sign a contract addendum. No Aggies, as far as I know, have forged red_ijjit user names and then posted. Lots of the red plague have weighed in logically on these threads as to the possiblities. Obviously, they don't want him to go. Some Aggies do. Most of us couldn't care less.

I can sense your vitriol.

If Arizona offers Leach is gone.

Leach is gone. There will be others besides Arizona and Florida afer him. He should have been taken care after last season. Myers couldn't put his own differences aside and it will cost tech dearly in the future because of the message it sends to future coaches.

I don't care if Leach leaves. I would rather become a great team and beat good teams than just wait for them to implode.

I think everyone right now is speculating, except Myers and Leach. I did read an article in an AZ newspaper, and the $1.5m number was thrown around as a pretty big number, almost indirectly saying they couldn't do much more than that. And should they, really? I don't know the pay scales out there, but I don't think they would be at the top of the Pac-10.

Also, what does their hoops coach make? They are pretty much a basketball school, he could have soem clause that states he must be the highest paid coach on campus (many schools do). Even if he doesn't, he might get pissed if they come along and give soemone like Leach more money than him. I am just thinking out loud, but these are the kind of variables that come up.

Once Tech puts a reasonable offer on the table, which it is clear now they will, you guys are right, it is all up to Leach. You can't understand this b/c you're ags and horns, but lots of people like Lubbock, and more importantly, like Tech. Leach might not want to walk away from what he has built there, esp. if he isn't making much more. On the other hand, the feelings between he and Myers could still be so bitter that he wants out, no one really knows. All I wanted is a good offer out there, none of this waiting until the end of the season crap. If Leach wants to bolt, even after Tech has ponied up, than we've done everything we can.


I can sense the slightest human suffering.
Sensing anything now?

Actually, I think Myers would step up. I remember how (it appeared to me at least) he got pushed out. He was a good coach, and well respected around the country.

He had some down years and they turned on him quicker than a tsip going for a public restroom glory hole.

I would think, honestly, that if the call was his to make, he'd show leach some love, since he knows what it's like to be dissed.



[This message has been edited by Not_a_sip (edited 10/8/2003 10:27a).]

Plus BigXII football is better than Pac-10 any day.


I can sense the slightest human suffering.
Sensing anything now?

hey raiderjay, didn't you say something about this a few days ago...I can't remember

It's funny that some of you ags are saying Myers screwed up and should have given Leach big money after last year. You guys sure have changed your tune. Before last week, I didn't hear much praise from you for Leach.

A lot of you guys actually thought you'd go to Lubbock and win. Now that you see how much better Leach's team is than yours, you think there is no way such a good coach would want to stay in "Lubbutt". Some of you have no information to base your opinion on, but you're tired of losing to tech, and Leach leaving is your feel good excuse this year. Usually it's "wait until next year", "wait until Fran gets here", "wait until Fran turns it around", "wait, wait wait." I guess when you get 60 hung on you, "wait until next year" isn't quite as good of an excuse.

To the rest of you having a decent discussion, I've pretty much made my point. If Leach wants to go, he'll go. I'm just gald it won't be b/c of the money.


I can sense the slightest human suffering.
Sensing anything now?


[This message has been edited by Buck Naked (edited 10/8/2003 10:46a).]

quote:

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If Leach wants to bolt, even after Tech has ponied up, than we've done everything we can.

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I think that's a pretty fair summary of the situation from the TT side.