first of all, i remember my first trip to lubbock with usaf in 1957. i was bored one day and went to a texas tech home game with the great e.j. holub the all american center, and i got to see billy cannon play and he beat tech with a 70 yard run. my point is texas tech has never had a successful football program until leach arrive, and every year he has taken the tech team to a bowl game. i guess some of the players like him during his decade there. yes, there have been two or three players that cried about the james boy getting ill treated, but, there have been a lot more from former players such as harrell the qb that beat texas, and a few linemen now playing in the nfl, stated never saw him mistreat anybody. i espec ially like one story espn associate quoted, where one kid just would not study and maintain his grades. so coach leach had a desk placed at the 50 yard line, while it was snowing, and during practice, and told the young man you will spend the practice session studying at that desk until it dawns on you that grades are important. the father, thought that wasgreat because his son had no more problems with his grades. coach leach has a law degree from pepperdine univ in calif. he is mild mannered according to many on and off the field. yes is quirkey at times. i especially payed attention what two former position coaches had to say about the james boy. one of them the receivers asst, warned coach leach not to give him a scholarship, because he was not d-1 level talent. coach leach said he thought he would get better, and gave him a scholarship. unfortunately, the position coach says he was right, because, mr. james was lazy, always blamed the coaches for his lack of talent. the other position coach said the same thing, was a malingerer and wise guy. he was diagnosed with a "mild" concussion, and was placed in the shed, and closet with a physical trainer, and graduate assistants there to look after him. the shed and closet were dark, and cool. the school doctor stated mr. james was not harmed by this treatment. i have always thought craig james on espn was a arrogant analysts, and even when he was in the nfl briefly, he acted like he was the man. i hope he is happy, that his son has been instrumental in firing of a excellent coach. i am sure, texas tech will return to its old ways, and mike leach, will get another gig. i really believe the only reason the coach put him in the shed or closet was to make final attempt at humbling him, and hopefully, improving his attitude. right or wrong, i doubt if we see mr. james on the field ever again.
