Texas tech's MIke Leach to UCLA ????

[Southpaw]

Whatcha think Russ?

Nov. 8, 2007, 1:00AM
BIG 12 NOTEBOOK
Coaching fraternity could see big shakeup
Leach's options may include UCLA position

By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

One-fourth of the Big 12 coaching fraternity will be in the unemployment line by the end of this month.

Nothing says happy holidays like a pink slip (and a nice hefty buyout). That could be waiting at the Thanksgiving table for Texas A&M's Dennis Franchione, Baylor's Guy Morriss and Nebraska's Bill Callahan.

One coach who is not on the hot seat but could find himself with employment options outside the Big 12 is Texas Tech's Mike Leach.

Leach has flirted with other jobs in the past, including an interview for the University of Miami job last offseason, and there is speculation Pirate Mike could be a candidate if Karl Dorrell is fired at UCLA.

Leach, who is from California and went to law school at Pepperdine, is believed to have interest in returning to the West Coast. In 2006, he signed a new five-year contract that reportedly will pay him $10 million if he remains at Tech through 2010.

If Leach were to depart Lubbock, the Red Raiders' No. 1 target would be Houston coach Art Briles, who spent three seasons as an assistant at Tech under Leach. Briles is also expected to be a candidate for the Nebraska and Baylor jobs.

Briles has the Cougars in position for a second straight Conference USA title, and they are bowl eligible for the fourth time in five years.

Briles, who is an intriguing coaching candidate because of his strong recruiting ties in Texas, interviewed last November for the Iowa State job that eventually went to Texas co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.

In Waco, there continues to be rampant speculation that Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and Baylor legend Mike Singletary is the choice to replace Morriss.

Singletary interviewed for the job before Morriss was hired but had no coaching experience at the time. Singletary has yet to be a head coach, but he's spent five seasons as an NFL assistant with Baltimore and San Francisco. He's also interviewed for three NFL head coaching jobs, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys last winter.

While the hiring of Singletary would create a buzz for a Baylor program that has suffered 12 consecutive losing seasons, there is some concern about timing if he were offered the job. Singletary likely would be unable to leave the 49ers until January, putting the Bears at a disadvantage in recruiting with signing day the following month.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Uh, is he going to take a massive paycut? UCLA doesn't pay for coaches.

 

[Southpaw]

U of Miami couldn't afford him. He makes $1.25 mil + at Tech. Miami hired Randy Shannon for half that and got their money's worth?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I really doubt will go above or even match the 5yrs/$10mil they're giving him in Lubbock. In order to go UCLA, Leach would have to cut his salary in half then move somewhere where the cost of living is at least twice as high. Not a good career move especially when you have the USC machine across town with twice your budget and exposure.

 

[Russ Smith]

That would be intriguing although I wonder if any hire that's not Walker would prompt Walker to leave?

Would be interesting to see that offense in the Pac 10.

 

[Skkorpion]

On the other hand, he has no chance of ever winning anything big at Texas Tech. It's a Big 12 backwater. UCLA is definitely a step up.

 

[Southpaw]

On the other hand, he has no chance of ever winning anything big at Texas Tech. It's a Big 12 backwater. UCLA is definitely a step up.

I am not too sure about winning anything big. Recruits want to be seen on TV. Tech gets its share. Texas is slipping. I am waiting for the hammer to fall on Oklahoma next year. Nebraska is in the crapper. There is a lot of wiggle room in the Big 12. I can see Tech closing the gap. This weeks game against Texas could be a landmark game for that program. Texas can't play defense and Tech can score. If Tech beats Texas, it will garner them a few recruits.