Mike Leach Fired at Texas Tech is TCU's Gary Patterson His Replacement

by Jeremy Mauss on Dec 30, 2009 11:51 AM PST in News

What first started off as an immediate suspension for Texas Tech's coach Mike Leach stemming from putting Adam James -- son of ABC/ESPN broadcaster Craig James -- in a 'shed' during practice time because he had a concussion is now fired. This all happened so quickly today with an injunction that was to take place at 10 am central time never did occur, but rather his lawyer was given a letter of termination by the University. Leach was trying to secure his place on the sideline that would have netted him $800,000 for being the coach at the start of the year.

Now with Leach out at Tech the scrambled speculation of his replacement now heads into full gear. Early speculation has turned to Baylor's Art Briles he has only been at Baylor a few years, but his real success was bringing University of Houston's program from the dead and challenge for conference titles. Another reason Briles is a logical choice is because he has a relationship at Tech where he was an assistant under Mike Leach from 1999-2002.

My personal choice would be June Jones from SMU, since Jones has an offense that would not skip a beat in Lubbock. All the players are there in a pass happy offense. There has been chatter about Boise State's Chris Peterson which is a long shot and probably not going to happen.

Then their is TCU's Gary Patterson he has been in the state for nearly a decade and is a defensive coach that could get Tech over the hump and not have to win games 51-50. Patterson did recently sign an extension, but we all know in college football those have no real teeth.

Gary Patterson would be a good fit in Lubbock, but is it really a better job then what he has going at TCU? The only thing better would be the money. Getting to the BCS would be possibly difficult because of the yearly matches against Texas and Oklahoma.

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If Patterson goes to Tech

TCU could always hire Leach.

At least we know leach is pro-playoff.

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by utesfan100 on Dec 30, 2009 1:31 PM PST reply actions

That was my initial thought, but..

Doesn’t Patterson make about the same as Leach did with his new raise?

After reading that article on Patterson and Peterson on ESPN today, I don’t think they are going anywhere for now.

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by Michael Rueckert on Dec 30, 2009 1:44 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I Don't Think So

But maybe that’s because I don’t want to. Check my thinking for me…

Patterson is on the verge of achieving his ultimate goal in college football – a national championship. If not a partial NC this year, perhaps a full NC next year. He’s built this program himself and its pretty loaded. I would be surprised (and hugely disappointed) if he left a promising progam in the potential-filled Mountain West to be a bridesmaid in the Big 12.

But, I didn’t think Wacker would go to Minnesota in the early 90s. I hoped, ignorantly, that Coach Fran wouldn’t go to Bama in 2000. I was wrong both times and could be wrong this time. But I really don’t think so. (And I’m pretty sure I don’t want Leach at TCU.)

What do you folks think?

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by SammyOBrien on Dec 30, 2009 2:13 PM PST reply actions

patterson

Has he ever been wooed for a bigger job.

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by Jeremy Mauss on Dec 30, 2009 3:02 PM PST up reply actions

Often, actually. He’s been in the running for Miami, been offered K-State, etc. He hasn’t interviewed, he’s always been loyal to TCU. Patterson is deeply loyal to TCU for giving him his first job and I don’t see that changing because an equally second tier team in Texas has a job opening. If UT fired Mack Brown, maybe he’d be interested, but I’d consider Tech a lateral move at best.

by HawkeyedFrog on Dec 30, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions

OK I do remember K-State

I think the move would be a slight elevation but nothing worth wild like going to Texas or Oklahoma. The only difference would be pay. Getting to the BCS would still be as tough or event tougher because they would be playing OU and Texas each year.

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by Jeremy Mauss on Dec 30, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions

I think it would be a poor move for several reasons.
1.) Tech’s personnel is incredibly poorly suited for a Gary Patterson offense. Coach P likes a lot of running backs. Tech has… one on their roster? It would take a long time to transition from the throwing attach Tech runs to one that Patterson would be comfortable with. Which leads to…
2.) The guy who follows “the guy”. Tech fans loved Leach as he led them to the the national attention that they crave out in Lubbock. The fact that GP would be working with players that aren’t anywhere near any system he’s been working or comfortable with would mean a rebuilding process would be necessary. Not a good thing when the fanbase has been spoiled by a decade of relevance.
3.) Lubbock. Yes, Lubbock is in Texas. That’s just about all it has going for it. I’ve been to Lubbock many a time to see my Frogs both triumph, and (more often) get throttled back in the SWC days. There is nothing in Lubbock that warrants a second glance. It’s a hell of a lot easier to sell a kid “Big fish, small pond, great town” than it is to sell “Good conference, not much history, dirt hole”.
4.) He can do better. I personally believe that in a few years after his kids get through school Bob Stoops will be off to the NFL. When that time comes, the 0U alumni will want someone with a track record of success, impeccable defensive pedigree and the ability to recruit Texas. Sad to say, I see coach Patterson coaching in the asshole of the world of college football in five years, and taking the Texas Tech job would not be beneficial to that opportunity.