ESPN College Football

What an unbelievable story developing at Cowboys Stadium.

Robert Griffin III is out after taking a hit to the head and then having his head bounce on the turf. Running back Terrance Ganaway fumbled and hit his head on the turf, taking a seat as well.

The defense and quarterback Nick Florence have stepped up in their absence.

The Bears forced and recovered an Adam James fumble, and after Ganaway fumbled, juco cornerback Joe Williams picked off Seth Doege in the red zone and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown to go up 52-28 late in the third quarter.

You hear coaches all the time say "Somebody's got to step up" when players get injured. There might not be a tougher player in the country to replace than Griffin. So far, the Bears are doing it with defense and great throws from Florence.

So far this quarter, Baylor has shut out Texas Tech and scored 21 points.

This, against a Texas Tech team playing to extend its season and reach bowl eligibility. Amazing.

Time for a few fun facts via various sports information departments around the Big 12 and ESPN Stats & Information.

• Oklahoma in 2000 is the only team in BCS history to appear in the national championship game without a previous BCS appearance. Oklahoma State is in position to become the second.
• Four Big 12 teams are bowl-eligible; four more are on the cusp with five wins. Missouri has four wins.
• Kansas State's Collin Klein has 72 more net rushing yards than Michigan's Denard Robinson, though has played in one more game.
• Kansas State has given up 1,095 passing yards and 110 points the last two weeks, both losses.
• In its last two games, Texas has outrushed opponents by a combined yardage of 880-28.
• Baylor's 697 yards of offense last week against Missouri was the most in school history.
• In that game, quarterback Robert Griffin III broke his own record with 470 yards of offense. The record was set the previous week against Oklahoma State, with 452.
• Oklahoma State is 1-9 in its past 10 trips to Lubbock.
• Missouri's only victory over Texas since 1920 was in 1997, when Texas went 4-7 under John Mackovic.
• Missouri running back Henry Josey has at least 129 yards in four consecutive games.
• Josey's 13 runs of 20 yards or longer is the most among FBS running backs.
• Texas first met Missouri back in 1894. That's also the first time Texas played Texas A&M.
• Kansas State has four non-offensive touchdowns in four weeks.
• Iowa State quarterback Jared Barnett is 2-0 as starter.
• Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon has 10 touchdown catches in the red zone, the most of any receiver.
• Oklahoma State is tied with LSU for No. 1 in the BCS computer rankings. Stanford is No. 8, according to the computers.
• Oklahoma's crowd of 85,709 last week against Texas A&M was a school record.
• Baylor receiver Kendall Wright has at least seven catches in nine consecutive games. With 29 more yards, he'll be the first 1,000-yard receiver in school history.
• Ryan Broyles' 4,586 receiving yards is second-most in NCAA history.
• Missouri has been outscored 43-0 in the third quarter of each of its four losses.
• Last week's loss to Oklahoma was Texas A&M's first road defeat of the season.
• Iowa State has at least 250 yards rushing in consecutive games for the first time since 2000.
• Kansas lost to Iowa State 13-10 last week, but the 13 points were the fewest allowed by a Kansas defense since 2007.
• The Jayhawks shut out ISU in the third quarter, the first time this season Kansas hasn't allowed any points in the third quarter.
• Last week's 95 receiving yards were a career high for Texas Tech's Adam James.
• Baylor is second nationally with more than 577 yards of offense per game. Kansas, its opponent Saturday, is last nationally, giving up more than 541.
• Oklahoma State has nine wins in four consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.

Texas Tech receiver turned tight end Adam James, the central figure of a scandal that resulted in Red Raiders coach Mike Leach being fired, spoke to media members for the first time since 2009 this week.

"It hasn’t necessarily been as much of a challenge as it has been a learning experience," James told reporters, who conducted the interview with a member of Texas Tech staff in attendance to make sure no questions affected ongoing litigation surrounding Leach's firing.

James' father, Craig James, is an ESPN analyst. Leach is currently involved in lawsuits against Texas Tech, James and ESPN.

Saturday will be Adam James' final home game as a Red Raider, and he says he expects to be booed when he's introduced during Senior Day festivities.

"I really didn’t think about it until a couple of weeks ago when they asked me who was going to walk out there with me," James said. "One of the guys kind of cracked a joke about it and that was the first time that I thought about it."

He says he has avoided the message boards, but the noise will be unavoidable on Saturday.

"When you get 60,000 strong, it’s easy to voice your opinion. But I really have never let what people say or think about me affect me, unless it was somebody that really knew me and knew who I was," he said.

James also responded to reports that he was immature and possessed a poor work ethic early in his career.

"I would say every player as they age, they mature," he said. "And with maturity, you realize you can push yourself harder. Any player comes in not really knowing what their limits are. Some mature faster than others, so I would definitely say I’ve matured as a player, just like anybody else."

James never once considered transferring from Texas Tech, he said, and family members didn't bring up the idea.

"It would have been easy to leave and go somewhere else," he said, "but for me, I never really thought about it. I love Texas Tech. I’ve always loved it. I want to graduate from here. All my life, I want to be associated with Texas Tech."

See more on James here.

Caesar in Limbo asked: Is there an increasing trend with coaches losing the battle against whining players? Leach, Mangino and I'm sure there's got to be more. Does a weak player just have to point their finger if they feel mistreated? Do these kids need therapy or a boot?! Why won't administrators back their coaches anymore? Could a coach from 20 years ago make it in today's "coddle" culture?

David Ubben: I don't know if I buy that. To some level, sure, we're more sensitive as a culture than ever before, but I also think those two situations are very different, and the issues with the players weren't the only reason Mangino and Leach were let go.

Mangino's was obviously a big part of it, but that controversy also hit in the middle of a seven-game losing streak to end the season, despite still having Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier. Like I wrote yesterday, Mangino's coaching style, which I'll just call intense, doesn't come off as well if he's not winning games. Winning solves if not everything, something close to it. (This is the point when I glare in Columbus, Ohio's direction.) If Kansas won 10 games in 2009, does anyone think Mark Mangino would not still be the coach?

In Leach's case, it was pretty clear that he badly strained his relationship with his bosses during his contract negotiations prior to the 2009 season. That relationship between a coach and the administration often gets overlooked. Leach's wasn't good, and he gave the higher-ups a reason to fire him.

Bob Stoops has a fantastic relationship with his AD, Joe Castiglione and the university president, David Boren. If the Adam James situation happened to Stoops, would he still be around?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

These situations are a lot more complex than just a couple whiny, entitled kids getting coaches fired.

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Mike in Oklahoma City, Okla., asked: Ubbs, do you think Tyler Gabbert leaving MU has anything to do with his brother's "slide" in the recent NFL draft due to the college system he played for? Do you think he will transfer to a pro style team in response to that?

DU: No, and that's not really the reason for his "slide," per se. The way I see his slide is one team saw Jake Locker as a better fit and better talent than Gabbert, which bumped him out of the top 5-7 where he was projected to go, down to No. 10. In the days leading up to the draft, I'd say it was pretty clear that Cam Newton was going to be the first quarterback taken.

Everyone had questions this year. Can Newton be a true NFL passer? Is Locker accurate enough? Can Gabbert be the same kind of passer after a dropback? I really doubt that had anything to do with Tyler Gabbert's decision.

And besides that, from the moment Blaine Gabbert stepped on Missouri's campus, he had NFL written all over him. Guys with big arms that are 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds tend to, at the very least, get drafted. Tyler Gabbert's career is just beginning, but at 6-foot and 190 pounds, he's going to be fighting uphill to get his chance at the NFL level.

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Scott in College Station, Texas asked: David, When do the first 2012 ESPN recruit rankings come out? Thanks

DU: We released them last year around late May and early June, so I'd expect them then, but don't get too worried, Scott. I'm sure your Aggies will be well represented in our ESPNU150, unlike last year.

I'd be very, very surprised if Trey Williams wasn't on it. Matt Davis probably has a good shot, too. Maybe Davante Borque. Our recruiting guys handle that.

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Preston in Dallas asked: If Texas has another bad year, and Texas A&M and Oklahoma St. continue to take the next step how do think this will effect recruiting in Texas?

DU: It would help a little bit, but it's going to take a lot of losing for Texas to not be back on top of the recruiting game. For one, players want to play for Mack Brown.

But more than anything, you're battling Texas culture. Players grow up wanting to be Longhorns. That's just a fact. Not all of them, of course, but certainly a majority of kids in one of the richest recruiting banks in the country.

How many kids grow up in Texas dreaming of playing for Oklahoma State? Texas A&M?

They'll grow up, and some will realize that in their personal situation, maybe either school is a better fit or Texas doesn't want them, but there's no changing that Texas is the flagship program in the state. That's one recruiting advantage that takes a whole heck of a lot to negate.

Another losing season, or even 2-3 more isn't going to suddenly allow either school to consistently outrecruit Texas.

We capped off our series looking at the strongest and weakest points of each team in the league heading into 2011, and it's on to the next one.

I've done it. You've done it.

"Hey, is that guy still around?"

Admittedly, even with two fewer teams, it's hard for fans to keep track. Our next series, which we did last year, too, takes a look at two key players for every team in the league that are taking their talents elsewhere, returning to campus, or arriving to try and write a legacy of their own.

So really, this series isn't so much for the fans of the teams in the posts, but more for everyone else. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bookmark this series.

Let's get started.

First up? Texas Tech.

Going:

Taylor Potts, QB
Potts was no fan favorite during his time in Lubbock, but he had a nice senior year and finished his career with a bowl win over Northwestern. Perhaps his finest moment? After being benched for Steven Sheffield midseason, Potts came off the bench against then-No. 12 Missouri to lead a comeback win and the signature game of the Red Raiders' season. That's impressive. Despite the criticism, Potts still threw for 3,726 yards and completed 67 percent of his passes last season, notching 35 touchdowns and just nine picks. Only three quarterbacks in college football threw more touchdowns last season.

Lyle Leong, WR

Leong caught 19 of those touchdowns last season, second nationally to only Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. He proved to be a reliable red zone target and caught 74 passes for 926 yards. His career built to his big year as a senior, and despite Texas Tech's usual depth at receiver, his presence will be missed in the passing game. It'll be most evident down in the red zone.

Staying:

Alex Torres, WR

Torres struggled while battling injuries last season after a big freshman year. He finished with just 39 catches, 481 yards and three touchdowns, but if he stays healthy, he's likely to have a 1,000-yard season as a junior in 2011. Clearly, the potential is there, and he's likely to be new quarterback Seth Doege's top target. As a freshman, he had 67 catches for 806 yards and six scores. Here's guessing he clears that number easily this fall.

Cody Davis, S

Davis should be one of the leaders of the Red Raiders defense as its leading returning tackler. As a sophomore in 2010, he made 87 tackles, with 69 solo stops, just two fewer than linebacker Bront Bird, who led the team. Chad Glasgow coached an All-American and a Thorpe Award finalist at safety last season in TCU's Tejay Johnson. He comes to try and shore up a Texas Tech secondary as its defensive coordinator this season. Davis may not have Johnson's athletic ability, but he should look even better with a spring and fall camp under Glasgow's watch.

Coming:

Jace Amaro, TE

For now, Texas Tech's starting tight end is Adam James. A beefed up, 233-pound Adam James, but still. Amaro, meanwhile, was one of the Red Raiders top recruits and one of the nation's best tight ends. Coach Tommy Tuberville wants to have a more capable tight end to help run the ball more effectively, and a strong effort to recruit one paid off in his first full class. Amaro will be a part of a slight change in Texas Tech's offense, but his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame should fill out plenty a year from now.

Ronnie Daniels, RB

The Red Raiders have two more highly-recruited running backs headed to campus this fall, Bradley Marquez and Kenny Williams, but Daniels made a big impact this spring after enrolling early. Tuberville wants to use more two-back formations, and for now, the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, is likely to find his way on the field. He showed plenty of prowess carrying the ball and catching it, and if he can prove he's mastered pass blocking as well, he'll definitely make an early impact somehow.

Larry Anders, chairman of the Texas Tech Board of Regents, filed his response to former Red Raider coach Mike Leach's lawsuit on Monday. Though most responses to lawsuits tend to be short, Anders' response was 48 pages long.

His Dallas lawyer, Steven Rasch, says its length comes from comparing the accounts of the events surrounding Leach's firing.

"We think it's the first time somebody has really pieced together the sworn testimonies in the case that demonstrate the discrepancy between what the events were at the time, as recalled by the witnesses, versus what Leach is saying now," Rasch told ESPN.com.

Leach was fired on Dec. 30, 2009, two days after being suspended amid allegations that he mistreated receiver Adam James. Among the seven defendants named in Leach's suit is Craig James, Adam James' father, a former NFL player and ESPN college football analyst. The other six defendants filed joint responses or responses using the university's lawyers, Rasch said.

In the response filed on Monday, Leach agrees with the description of head trainer Steve Pincock as "honest and reliable." Later, Pincock's sworn testimony says that despite Pincock's diagnosis and warnings, Leach did not believe James had a concussion.

Pincock's sworn testimony reads: "Leach asked me multiple times if James really had a concussion. Leach told me he had seen the video from practice, and that there was no way James had a concussions from the hit he had taken. He also asked me multiple times how easy would it be to fake a concussion. I responded repeatedly that the doctor diagnosed James with a concussion. I also relayed that James had told me after the practice in which he sustained the concussion, he had gone to eat at IHOP with a teammate, gone home, and suffered dizziness forcing him to sleep sitting up."

Pincock also says James reported vomiting that evening, and Leach asked for a sample of vomit, which Pincock says he "of course" could not produce. But Pincock says later in the statement that he told Leach that a doctor had diagnosed James with a concussion and he could not practice.

Leach has continually maintained he did nothing wrong in regards to the incident.

"Mike Leach is trying to reconstruct the events to say that he did believe there was a concussion and what he did to Adam James was some sort of bizarre form of treatment for Adam James' light sensitivity," Rasch said. "We think the sworn testimony makes it very clear that Leach, by all the questions he asked and the statements he made, thought Adam James was faking it, he treated it as if he were faking it, he tried to punish and humiliate him by making him stand in a dark shed for several hours during football practice."

Whether or not that constitutes a fireable offense is a point of contention in the suit. We may never know the absolute truth about what happened after James suffered what the trainers diagnosed as a concussion. But Anders and his attorney feel confident that their own sworn testimonies contradict what Leach is arguing in his suit.

The details are up to the law-types to decide, but clearly, Anders has little doubt of how he believes the events unfolded.

Really good set of stuff today, if I do say so myself. And I just did, so...yeah.

Dylan Meier

• Kevin Haskin of the Topeka Capital-Journal has a heartfelt, personal column about the death of former Kansas State quarterback Dylan Meier.
• Meier's former teammates reflect on his death with the Kansas City Star's Kellis Robinett.

Expansion

• Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe isn't expecting to hear more about expansion plans from Big Ten officials at this week's BCS meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz. Beebe also says the timetable has not accelerated, contrary to recent reports.
• With expansion talks swirling, Texas A&M AD Bill Byrne assures the Aggies aren't going anywhere, reports David Harris of the Dallas Morning News.
• Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel clears up some of the FAQs about conference expansion. His guess: Nebraska and Missouri bolt to the Big Ten, along with a NY-area team.

Everything else

• Bill Simmons weighs in on Ndamukong Suh and Sam Bradford to kick off his first ever NFL Mock Draft.
• Father of Texas Tech receiver Adam James and ESPN analyst Craig James discussed the recent Mike Leach controversy at a church in Dallas, tearing up and maintaining that he and his family have done nothing wrong, reports Mark Dent of the Dallas Morning News.
• Former Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will be this week's Sports Illustrated cover boy.

Not a great news day for the Longhorns.

• Texas RB Vondrell McGee was arrested for a misdemeanor DWI charge over the weekend, reports Randy Riggs of the Austin American-Statesman. Coach Mack Brown says he'll be suspended for "at least" the season opener at Rice, and will work with the scout team until then.
• Two Longhorns, DE Russell Carter and S Ben Wells, have elected to transfer in hopes of finding more playing time.

Finally, the endless string of conference tournaments is over and college football can take center stage. Here are some links to get you started.

• Nebraska is using reminders from last year's heartbreaking Big 12 championship game loss as motivation to "finish" this season, writes Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Journal-Star.
• The Oklahoman's Jake Trotter looks at two of the Sooners' possible stars in 2010: senior defensive back Jonathan Nelson and junior receiver Dejuan Miller.
• Former Oklahoma State QB Bobby Reid hasn't played football in over a year, but he'll work out at LSU's pro day today.
• Linebacker Zaviar Gooden has snatched the title of "most athletic Tiger." The Columbia Daily Tribune's Dave Matter examines if that will translate to on-field success.
• Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach was in the room when Craig James gave his testimony in Leach's suit against Texas Tech, but was not when Adam James testified.

Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is scheduled to be deposed on Friday, answering questions from attorneys representing Texas Tech in Leach's lawsuit against the school.

Leach, who moved to Key West after the Red Raiders fired him, alleges libel, slander and breach of contract in his lawsuit, claiming Texas Tech fired him without cause.

The university fired Leach on Dec. 30, and Leach also alleges that an $800,000 bonus, which Leach would have earned on Dec. 31, also contributed to his firing. The move came two days after Leach was suspended amid allegations that he mistreated Texas Tech receiver Adam James, the son of ESPN analyst and former NFL player Craig James.

New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville has probably shook a few thousand hands during the past month.

Tuberville spoke to more than 1,000 Texas Tech fans at an alumni event in Dallas. He spoke to another 500 fans in Houston. Tuberville threw out the first pitch at the Texas Tech baseball team's season opener last week, and he has tried to attend as many Red Raiders basketball games as possible.

"It's been great," Tuberville said of his reception in Lubbock. "It's been really good. I go out and shake hands and do all the things you need to do from a PR standpoint. I tell people who we are and what they can expect. I've been all over Texas speaking to Kiwanis clubs and Lions clubs."

Tuberville, who hasn't coached since stepping down as Auburn's coach in December 2008, didn't know exactly what to expect when he was hired to replace fired Mike Leach on Jan. 11.

Leach had been an ultra-popular coach at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to 84 victories and 10 straight bowl games before he was fired on Dec. 30 for insubordination. Leach had been suspended indefinitely by the school while it investigated allegations he mistreated a player suffering from a concussion. Leach took the school to court to overturn his suspension, and Texas Tech fired him before the legal hearing.

"Mike did a lot of great things here," Tuberville said. "It was kind of like me leaving Auburn. A lot of people were disappointed, but things change. It's kind of ironic -- Mike was here for 10 years and I was at Auburn for 10 years."

Tuberville said he met with Red Raiders wide receiver Adam James shortly after he was hired. James' father, ESPN college football analyst Craig James, complained to school officials about Leach's treatment of his son while he recovered from a concussion, claiming the former coach secluded him in a dark shed and utility closet.

"I think Adam went through a tougher time than anyone," Tuberville said. "I met with him for about 20 minutes right after I got the job. I met with all the players. I didn't do him any differently than anyone else."

Tuberville said he hasn't noticed Texas Tech's players treating James any differently.

"These are college kids," Tuberville said. "This is not life and death. They just want to play and win games."

Here are some lunch links to send you into the afternoon on a cold, blustery day across the Midlands.

Call it my own version of "Chicken Soup for the Big 12 Fan's Soul."

Enjoy them.

• The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Brent Schrotenboer reports that the financially strapped San Diego State athletic department will save $350,000 by having former coach Chuck Long work as Kansas’ offensive coordinator.
• Gary Pinkel tells the Kansas City Star’s Mike DeArmond about some fond memories of his late father, who passed away last week at the age of 83 in Columbus, Ohio.
• Lincoln Journal Star pundits Steve Sipple and Brian Christopherson report about Nebraska's emerging quarterback battle in spring practice.
• New Kansas quarterback Quinn Mecham tells the Lawrence Journal-World’s Tom Keegan that he’s not a very vocal leader, preferring to let his actions speak for themselves.
• The Sporting News Daily reports that defensive back Tramone Mickens has signed a letter of intent with Texas A&M as part of the Aggies’ 2010 class.
• Former Kansas co-defensive coordinator Clint Bowen will be introduced today as Western Kentucky’s new defensive coordinator, the Lawrence Journal-World’s Dugan Arnett reports.
• ESPN.com’s Bruce Feldman lists Texas Tech and Texas A&M among his 10 teams being overlooked heading into the 2010 season.
• Turner Gill speaks to Kansas students about integrity, Jenny Terrell of the Daily Kansan reports.
• Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn tells the Denver Post he hasn’t been contacted by the Pac-10 about the Buffaloes joining the conference.
• Mobile Register columnist Paul Finebaum blasts new Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville, claiming his legacy has been “torched” by the strong recruiting job by Auburn coach Gene Chizik.
• Mark B. Evans of the Tucson Citizen lists Colorado among the teams the Pac-10 should consider for future expansion. And Phil Wallace of L.A. Observed mentions that the Pac-10’s expansion plans should begin with the Buffaloes.
• Richard Tijerina’s “Breakfast with Bevo” announces an Austin return by Quan Cosby that will benefit the Haitian relief efforts and David Thomas’ contributions for the world champion New Orleans Saints. And yes, it does seem a little weird for me typing those five words in succession.
• Tuberville tells CBS Sports.com's Dennis Dodd that his “fresh slate” approach stretches to everybody in the program – even Adam James.

Dismissed Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach talks with ESPN's Rece Davis about the controversy surrounding player Adam James that led to his firing.

Texas Tech's misfortune apparently is becoming a punchline for other schools around the conference.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard got a laugh at the Red Raiders' expense during a pep rally for his school Wednesday before his team's Insight Bowl game against Minnesota.

Pollard alluded to the firing of Tech coach Mike Leach, who was let go by the school after reports surfaced about him placing reserve wide receiver Adam James in a shed while he was recovering from a concussion.

Several hours later, Pollard made this comment to ISU fans:

“I’m so excited to be here, because I’ve been locked in a closet by Paul Rhoads,” Pollard said, according to the Des Moines Register.

Pollard's comments got a few chuckles from the assembled Cyclone fans.

But I bet it wasn't very funny to many people in West Texas.

Texas Tech wide receiver Adam James likely will not see action Saturday in Texas Tech’s game against Michigan State in the Valero Alamo Bowl, interim Tech coach Ruffin McNeill said.

The treatment of James’ concussion was the trigger point that helped lead to the firing of Tech coach Mike Leach after a 10-season coaching tenure.

“Right now he is still under physical rehabilitation and won’t be able to dress for the game,” McNeill said. “He’s conditioning and walking with the other players who are injured. Right now, he hasn’t taken any reps so he won’t be available for the game.”

James is listed as Tech’s second-team receiver at the H position on their bowl depth chart behind starter Tremain Swindall. James, a 6-foot-3, 216-pound sophomore from Celina, Texas, started the season opener against North Dakota and saw action in all 12 games for the Red Raiders. He ranked 10th on the team in receptions with 17 grabs for 154 yards and a touchdown.

McNeill said he briefly spoken to James, along with other members of the team as part of his typical coaching routine.

“There’s been nothing that's personally been said to Adam from me, other than to just hang in there and for the team to stay focused,” McNeill said. “I didn’t think there was a need for me to speak to him. I felt like the focus should be on the entire team. I’ve always been that way.”

Mike Leach’s firing wasn’t a surprise on Wednesday.

His attorney had predicted to several reporters earlier this week that his client would be let go by Texas Tech officials -- probably sooner rather than later.

But it was still a cataclysmic shock in Lubbock and West Texas when Leach was let go earlier this morning. For a period after his firing was announced, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's Web site crashed due to interest in the story.

That firing speaks to a larger controversy than what happened over Adam James' concussion and “The Shed.”

Leach and Tech athletic director Gerald Myers always had a contentious relationship from the very beginning of his tenure there. It’s understandable when you consider the turf wars that sometimes develop in athletic departments when a headstrong former basketball coach is the athletic director and makes decisions over a similarly headstrong football coach.

It all started in 2002, when rumors about Leach’s off-field activities led to an investigation by the athletic department.

Leach was cleared, but the schism between him and his boss started at that time. At one point, Myers stopped Leach’s outgoing mail in a dispute about postage stamps.

It simmered early in Leach’s time when the Red Raiders played the toughest nonconference schedule in the Big 12 as a way to make money for the athletic department. During the 2002 season, for example, Tech played Ohio State, Mississippi and NC State in addition to the Big 12 South gauntlet.

That chapped Leach and he let Myers know about his concerns. The two always seemed to be better off if they were an arms-length away from the other.

Tech officials weren’t happy when news surfaced of Leach shopping himself for a number of major coaching openings over the past several years.

And it continued when he went through an extremely contentious negotiation with school officials before he was given a three-year extension on what was a five-year, $12.7 million contract. To get the deal done, Leach went over Myers’ head and personally negotiated with Tech chancellor Kent Hance.

Under terms of the contract, Leach was due an $800,000 bonus if he was still the Red Raiders’ coach on Thursday.

Now, it appears he won’t receive that bonus, although I’m sure the contract is headed for litigation between Leach and the school.

Even with the firing, Leach will be considered one of Tech’s top football coaches ever, leaving the school with a program he helped boost into contention in the extremely difficult Big 12 South Division. It’s not a stretch to say that he was one of the seminal figures in Big 12 history, helping transform the way offense was played from the ground-based philosophies of the old Southwest and Big Eight conferences into today’s high-powered aerial attacks that have become the national rage recently.

Leach built a program out of castoffs like Wes Welker, Michael Crabtree, Graham Harrell and Brandon Williams and turned them into a team that could consistently compete with teams like Texas and Oklahoma. The Red Raiders were ranked No. 2 in the nation for a three-week period during last year's 11-2 season, which was a national breakthrough for the school.

Leach was Texas Tech football. He was as much a part of Lubbock as dust storms, Buddy Holly’s statue and the blueberry muffins at the legendary Fifty-Yard Line Restaurant.

And no matter who follows Leach, he will face a mammoth chore of replacing a legend who directed the Red Raiders to 10 consecutive bowl appearances and more bowl victories in his tenure than the rest of the school’s 85-season football history combined.

The football program upstaged Myers’ basketball program and his hand-picked coach of choice, Bob Knight. Even with the legendary career leader in victories along the sidelines, the Red Raiders’ basketball team had trouble filling the United Spirit Arena or selling the personal-seat licenses that were intended to help build the facility.

But that wasn’t the case for the football program, which became a national phenomenon under their quirky coach. Tech’s success led to him being a cover story in the New York Times magazine and the subject of a fawning piece on CBS-TV’s "60 Minutes" late last season.

Leach gained notoriety for his fascination with pirates, mobsters and Indian chiefs. His stint as a weatherman on a Lubbock television station -- memorable because of his explanation of the local occurrence of “raining mud” -- became a YouTube staple with hundreds of thousands of hits.

He could coach a little, too. During what was expected to be a rebuilding job this season, Leach juggled three starting quarterbacks en route to an 8-4 mark and a berth in Saturday night’s Valero Alamo Bowl.

He’ll be gone from the sidelines in that game. The Red Raiders likely have the perfect solution to settle the upheaval with unassuming defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill. He’s familiar with the players because of his recruiting and will give them the best opportunity to keep their program together against Michigan State on Saturday night.

But after that, it will be a different story.

Myers needs to mobilize quickly to salvage what had been the best recruiting season for Tech in recent years. Whether those recruits will be willing to stay firm on their commitments to the far-flung West Texas locale that is still one of the toughest recruiting destinations in the Big 12 will be interesting to see.

Leach carved an identity that made Tech one of the top 25 or 30 programs in the country over the past 10 years.

Now, we’ll see if his replacement can keep it there.