CANYON, Texas — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was placed on administrative leave from West Texas A&M, where he is quarterbacks coach and men’s golf coach for the NCAA Division II school.
Athletics director Michael McBroom said Wednesday that he met with Leaf on Sunday to “go through some options, and we agreed that a leave is the best option.” He said he could not comment on what prompted the decision and said he would not speculate on when or whether Leaf would return.
Leaf was in his third season as quarterbacks coach at West Texas A&M, which is 9-1 heading into its final regular-season game. Quarterback Keith Null has completed nearly 68 percent of his passes and has 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
“Ryan doesn’t want this to be a distraction from the team,” McBroom said. “He and I agreed this is the best course of action until we figure everything out.”
Leaf, a Heisman Trophy finalist at Washington State, was taken second in the 1998 NFL draft behind Peyton Manning. He retired after four dismal seasons, best known for his profane off-field outbursts toward fans, coaches and reporters. He finished his career with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
Leaf did not return a phone call or e-mail.
West Texas A&M is located in Canyon, Texas, less than 20 miles southwest of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.
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