Yep, Mike Leach’s lawsuit against Texas Tech is still going on, although it may be coming to an end in short order.
Per the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, District Judge William Sowder dismissed the final count in Leach’s lawsuit against his former employer. The judge ruled that TTU did not violate the coach’s due process rights when they fired him over three years ago. The decision comes nearly a year after Leach had his wrongful termination appeal denied.
In a statement, Tech said it was “pleased” with the dismissal.
So what’s left for Leach? The report states he could file an appeal or ask the Texas Legislature to waive Tech’s sovereign immunity in a vote, which would reopen portions of his case that were initially dismissed without a hearing because of Texas’ sovereign immunity clause.
Leach just finished his first season as the head coach of Washington State. In November, ex-Cougars receiver Marquess Wilson alleged “physical, emotional and verbal abuse… in the locker room and on the field” by Leach and his coaching staff. Wilson had been suspended indefinitely by Leach earlier that month. Ultimately, the Pac-12 concluded an investigation that found no evidence of player abuse by Leach or his staff.
Leach was fired by Texas Tech in 2009 after he allegedly mistreated then-receiver Adam James for a concussion. The coach has been involved in a lawsuit with TTU over his termination ever since.