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LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech has fired football coach Mike Leach.

The school handed a termination letter to Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, on Wednesday just before the two sides were to appear in a Lubbock, Texas, courtroom for a hearing on the coach's suspension.

Liggett says the letter says Leach is "terminated with cause effective immediately."

Leach was suspended by the university on Monday while the school investigated allegations that he mistreated an injured player.

Receiver Adam James alleges Leach twice confined him to small, dark spaces during practice after the player was diagnosed with a concussion. James is the son of ESPN college football analyst Craig James.

In an affidavit included with his injunction request to coach the Red Raiders in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Leach said he "would never intentionally harm or endanger a player" and that he has been "forced into this situation without being afforded any process."

He wrote "absolutely" no evidence had been given to him that showed he had violated any university rules or standards.

"I have never and would never intentionally harm or endanger a player. I am committed to Texas Tech University and the well being of my football players. I have been forced into this situation without being afforded any process," he said. "Not being allowed to coach immediately will cause irreparable harm because preparation for the game is ongoing and it will be over on January 2, 2009. Every minute of preparation is critical to be ready for the game."

Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill was chosen by the university to be Texas Tech's interim coach against Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

Leach led the Red Raiders to the best season in program history last year, going 11-2, but he and the university were at odds for months over negotiations for a contract extension. In February, Leach and the school agreed to a five-year, $12.7 million deal that would have kept him in Lubbock through 2013.

BlackFalkin wrote:Whoa Whats up with Texas Tech coaches mistreating players?

bandl wrote:Meet the next Montana coach!!!

andy7171 wrote:The more I read about this, the worse Adam James looks. Unlike the Kansas Mangino falling out, TT players are basically calling James out as a soft pussi who wanted to be babied because of who his father is.

MrTitleist wrote:Leach really got the shaft here.. James is a whiny bitch, plain and simple. Terrible work ethic, supposedly. I can't imagine why TT would let him go.. he built their football program, and Leach wasn't really given due diligence in his dismissal. Leads me to believe Craig James is throwing some fat checks at TT.

Wedgebuster wrote:He thought he was untouchable.

Ok, so the kid's a pain in the ass, bench him permanently. The stuff that used to be standard is now illegal. I'd a fired the pompous ass too.

Coaches do have to answer to the administration even if they out earn 'em.

Stoopid fucker.

dbackjon wrote:The Texas Tech trainer is saying today that the "closet" was the size of a two car garage, and he was monitored the whole time.


Adam James = pussy.

Craig James = douchebag