It’s been a rocky last few months -- hell, last few years -- for Mike Leach.
Fired by Texas Tech in 2009 after allegations that he had “abused” a player of a previously prominent college football “analyst” surfaced, Leach spent two years away from coaching as he sued his former employer for wrongful termination. Hired by Washington State in late November of 2011, and in the midst of what would become a three-win season, Leach was again accused of the “physical, emotional and verbal abuse” of a player, allegations which were knocked down -- for now -- by a two-pronged investigation on the part of both Wazzu and the Pac-12.
Now, Leach has apparently stepped into it at the high school level as well.
DeSoto (Tex.) High School defensive back Myron Turner has been a verbal commitment to the Cougars since October and, according to his coach, has steadfastly turned down scholarship overtures from other schools in keeping that non-binding commitment to Wazzu. Just last weekend, all seemed well as Turner made an official visit to Pullman.
Monday, however, Claude Mathis, the DeSoto coach, received a call from Leach informing him that the football program was going in another (bigger) direction at Turner’s safety position and pulled the scholarship offer. Suffice to say, with National Signing Day looming on the horizon, neither the coach nor the player was pleased with the abrupt and out-of-the-blue development.
“You just don’t do a kid like that,” Mathis said. “Washington State isn’t welcome at DeSoto any longer.”
“He’s really hurt right now,” added Mathis of his player.
We’ve always been big fans and supporters of Leach, but, if this is how the situation played out -- we’ve only heard one side of the story but, knowing Leach, we’ll hear his soon enough -- that’s a low-class, reprehensible move on the part of the coach. Two weeks before signing day, and you pull a scholarship from a kid who has remain committed even as allegations of player abuse were swirling?
Bad look, coach. Bad look.