(Photo by Robert H Kelly-TexSport Publications, Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved)
By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
PASADENA, TEXAS (November 24, 2010) It is being reported by ESPN.com and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach is suing ESPN for deformation of character, slander and libel.
Leach was fired last December after allegations were made, accusing him of mistreatment of running back Adam James.
Leach filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that he was defamed by ESPN and college football analyst Craig James, who is also the father of the younger James.
The suit, which was filled in Texas district court, claims ESPN failed to "retract false and damaging statements" made from "misinformation" James provided.
The suit also names Spaeth Communications as a co-defendant, claiming the elder James hired the firm for "purposes of creating public opinion hostile to Leach."
Leach is now working as an announcer for CBS College Sports, while the elder James is currently working as a sports commentator for games on ABC and ESPN television.
The younger James is in his junior year at Texas Tech, playing inside receiver. He has played in a total of eight games this season, catching two passes for 16 yards.
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
LUBBOCK, TEXAS (February 21, 2010) Reports out of Lubbock, Texas indicate that Texas Tech former head football coach Mike Leach is moving.
A moving van was spotted outside Leech’s home late last week and moving men were observed loading boxes and household goods.
Leach has also enrolled his children into schools in the Key West, Florida area.
In 1996, Leech applied for a coaching position in the area and is close friends with current Key West coach Jerry Hughes.
Leach and his attorney are currently in mediation with Texas Tech over his dismissal arising from allegations that he mistreated player Adam James. Leach has denied any mistreatment.
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (January 3, 2010) There was as much excitement on the sidelines and in the stands as there was on the field at the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where Texas Tech faced Michigan State.
Adam James, the Texas Tech inside receiver who is one of the principles in the firing of former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach, was on the sidelines and was receiving as much attention as the game.
James did not suit up for the game, but was clearly visible wearing his number 82 jersey and sporting a black stocking cap on his head.
Tech fans showed their displeasure with him; booing was he was both leaving from and returning to the field at halftime. In addition, fans displayed numerous signs and paraphernalia in support of Leach and disdain for James, Tech chancellor Kent Hance, and athletic director Gerald Myers
One man was spotted wearing a hat decorated with pacifiers attached, labeled “Adam James Commemorative Pacifiers." There was also a sign in the crowd with Hance’s last name with a slash through it.
Stickers stating “Fire Myers” were distributed by a gray-haired alumnus and were observed throughout the stands.
There was even a sign in support of Leach and critical of James, stating “Every Successful Pirate Knows Betrayal” hanging proximately behind the Tech bench.
A ten-year old was even spotted wearing a shot taking a shot at James and his family.
The ever popular pirate flags and pirate hats, symbols of support for Leach, were everywhere in the stadium and the parking lot, along with Team Leach shirts and other tributes to their former coach.
If James noticed all the hoopla, he didn’t act as such. He was seen surrounded by two other non-suited up players and two men in red windbreakers. The red clad men were facing the stands, presumably watching for threats directed against James from the stands.
ESPN showed James on the sidelines, but he showed very little awareness of the negativities at the game.
(Photo by Robert H Kelly-TexSport Publications, Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved)
