In Lubbock, Texas right now Mike Leach almost sits on the left hand of the Father with Jesus sitting on the right. Thank God for this bit of news released today:
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Fresno State coach Pat Hill have both withdrawn from consideration for the head coaching job at Washington.
Leach withdrew Thursday, a person close to the Red Raiders coach told ESPN.com. Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said earlier in the week that Leach hadn't sought permission for an interview and that he hadn't been contacted by Washington. Myers also said that Texas Tech was negotiating a contract extension with Leach, although Leach's agent denied that to ESPN's Joe Schad.
Then there is this joyful piece from the Lubbock AJ concerning sophomore sensation receiver Michael Crabtree:
There’s more than one Mike that many Texas Tech football fans want to see doing their thing at Jones AT&T Stadium next season. Tech flanker Mike Crabtree, who is eligible to leave school early for the NFL draft, indicated in a news conference Thursday that he plans to return to Tech next season.
His father later said that was surprising to hear.
Asked if he was giving consideration to jumping to the NFL, Crabtree replied, “No. Not at all.’’
Asked in a followup question if he was coming back, Crabtree replied, “Uh, yeah.’’
Crabtree’s father, Michael Crabtree, later told The Dallas Morning News that he was surprised to hear that.
“He hasn’t told me that,’’ the elder Crabtree told the Dallas newspaper. “We’re pretty much leaning toward coming out. But it’s up to him. If he wants to come back and win championships, I won’t be mad at him.’’
Crabtree has two years of eligibility left.
During the Red Raiders’ 11-1 regular season, Crabtree caught 93 passes for 1,135 yards and 18 touchdowns. In the last regular-season game, a 35-28 victory over Baylor, Crabtree broke Wes Welker’s Tech career record for receiving yards. He already held the school career record for touchdown catches.
Could Leach and Crabtree have gotten together on this one with Crabtree telling Leach he would stay of Leach stayed? I doubt it. In the past Crabtree's father spoke for his son. And the father seems a little miffed at his boy's decision. They plan to discuss it later. Pretty tough to go against agents offering mega $$$ and daddy who may want a piece of the pie. Don't we dads raise sons who innately know they must get into the NFL and provide daddy with a retirement? If both Leach and Crab return I predict by the small attrition rate this year that the Red Raiders may contain more lethal power next year.
The potential Heisman Trophy finalist said if Leach left it wouldn't be because of Texas Tech.
"I think it has to do more with him wanting a new challenge," Harrell said.
"There's a great chance" he'd leave, Harrell said. "But if he stays he's going to continue to be successful here, and I'd love to see that."
Harrell continued by by explaining why Leach's success at Tech is more compelling than both Stoops of Oklahoma and Brown at Texas:
He said Leach "gets more out of less than probably anyone in the country" because he doesn't get first shot at top recruits; those players usually get calls from Oklahoma and Texas, both storied football programs, first.
Leach could build on an already-strong program elsewhere, Harrell said.
"Maybe he goes to a program where he'll be at the top of the conference, where he's not having to battle to build up a reputation of a team, where he can take a team that has a good reputation and it'll be easier for him to play in BCS games, maybe win a national championship," Harrell said.
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