On the heels of allegations of mistreatment by Red Raiders wide receiver Adam James, Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach has been fired.
The firing comes one day before Leach was due an $800,000 bonus, and only ten months since he signed a 5-year, $12.7 million contract extension.
Are athletic directors using player allegations as an easy way to justify cause in getting rid of high-priced coaches?
His firing most certainly can't be justified by looking at his record. After a Tech best-ever 11-2 finish last season, Leach followed that up this year with an 8-4 mark and a trip to Saturday's Alamo Bowl against Michigan State. He ends up 84-43 in 10 seasons at Texas Tech, reaching a bowl game in each season.
At the end of the day, there is a very happy athletic director at Texas Tech and a jovial James family. However, it is a sad day in Lubbock for every fan of Red Raider football.
It is also yet another wake up call to coaches everywhere. Every coach will be taking a look in the mirror and thinking about whether or not they are doing anything that will make them the next Mike Leach or Mark Mangino.