COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Texas Tech suspends Leach before Alamo Bowl
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, December 29, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech suspended Mike Leach on Monday while the school investigated complaints from receiver Adam James and his family about how the coach treated the player after a concussion.
James is the son of former NFL player and current television analyst Craig James.
The school said in a release that defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will be the interim coach and lead the team in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 against Michigan State.
Texas Tech officials declined to identify the player, but James’ family released a statement to The Associated Press identifying Adam as the player involved.
“Mr. and Mrs. James took the step with great regret and after consideration and prayer to convey to the Texas Tech Administration that their son had been subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health,” the statement said.
A person familiar with James’ case said James suffered a concussion during a Dec. 16 practice. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.
Leach did not immediately return a call or a text message seeking comment. A message left on McNeill’s cell phone was not immediately returned.
McNeill will remain in charge of the team until the investigation is complete.
There’s been internal strife this season with the Red Raiders (8-4), and Leach has resorted to some tongue-lashing.
He chastised players after a loss to Texas A&M in October for listening to “their fat little girlfriends,” and thinking the Aggies were a pushover. And after the Red Raiders loss at then-No. 12 Houston in September, Leach suspended indefinitely starting offensive lineman Brandon Carter for violating team rules.
In February, Leach and Tech agreed to a five-year, $12.7 million deal that could keep him at the school through 2013.
Pryor playing with injury
LOS ANGELES — Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor revealed he partially tore a ligament in his knee Monday, claiming it didn’t slow him down much while leading the Buckeyes to the Big Ten title.
Pryor says he’s hurting everywhere at the close of his sophomore season, which ends Friday in the Rose Bowl against No. 7 Oregon. Pryor admitted he has a partial tear in his posterior cruciate ligament, touching his left knee for emphasis, but not confirming which knee is hurt.
Boise St. punishes 3
PHOENIX — Three Boise State players did not accompany the Broncos to the Fiesta Bowl for disciplinary reasons.
A school spokesman said wide receiver Preston Minter, tailback Malcolm Johnson and cornerback Raphiel Lambert — all freshmen — had not made the trip. No other details were disclosed.
Bush loses arbitration bid
SAN DIEGO — Reggie Bush has lost his bid to go to confidential arbitration to settle a lawsuit filed by a fledgling sports marketer. The state Court of Appeal on Monday upheld a lower court’s order denying Bush’s motion to compel arbitration with Lloyd Lake, meaning the case will proceed in court.
New Notre Dame assistant
DETROIT — A person familiar with the decision says Notre Dame will hire Grand Valley State coach Chuck Martin to coach the Irish defensive backs. The person spoke Monday on the condition of anonymity because Notre Dame has not made the announcement.
