The only reason I decided to post this through the forum, was because the response is pretty lengthy and I understand most do not wish to read a long reply. TTUMAR had asked if Texas Tech was to take the next step, then brought up some teams that had coaching changes since the '98 season. I only see one University that had somewhat the same experience that had happened in Lubbock...

Ohio St.
   John Cooper (1988-2000)- Only a 3-8 bowl record, a 2-10-1 record against Arch-rival Michigan, and a bowl-less 6-6 '99 season (along with pervasive academic and problimatic discipline issues) led to his firing after the 2000 season (even after an 8-3 regular season record).
   Jim Tressel (2001-Present)- Has only had two less than 10 win seasons; 9 straight bowl games, with 7 being BCS Bowls (3 NC Bowls).

        Cooper had a difficult time in beating Michigan within those seasons, however he did produce tremendously for the Buckeyes... went to 10 straight Bowl Games ('89-'98), and another in 2000, AVERAGED 10+ wins from '93-'98, from '91-'98 won no less than 8 games, and only produced one losing season (his first). Cooper won 72% of his games while with OSU, producing a 111-43-4 record, 3 conferences titles, and only one of two coaches to reach over 100 games won (W.W. Hayes had a 205-61-10 record from '51-'78). So after reading this brief description, one could understand why I feel that this University had somewhat a similiar experience Red Raider Nation had felt.

        As for the others... you will see below that either Coaches were not producing as the University expected them too, or they agreed to step down for another coaching job or retired.

Alabama
   Mike Dubose (1997-2000) - from a 10-3 '99 Season (BCS game/Orange Bowl) to a 3-8 season the following year and NCAA violations caused his firing.
   Dennis Fanchione (2001-2002) - Resigned after only Two Seasons with Alabama to become the new coach at College Station.
   Mike Shula (2003-2006) - went from a 10-2 '05 season to a 6-6 season the following year, where he was replaced by Interim HC Joe Kines in the Bowl Game.
   Nick Saban- Current Coach (2007-Present)

Florida
   Steve Spurrier (1990-2001) - Resigned after 12 seasons with the Gators after the '01 season
   Ron Zook (2002-2004) - Was an "underachiever" accordingly to most Gator fans considering two straight 8-5 seasons and final season at 7-4 (replaced by Interim HC Charlie Strong)
   Urban Meyer- Current Coach  (2005-Present)

Tennessee
   Phillip Fulmer (1992-2008) - Agreed to step down as HC after 13 seasons after the '08 season; saw two below .500 seasons (second being his final season) in final 4 years; No less than 8 wins before the 2005 season.
   Lane Kiffin- Served 1 season as HC (2009) then became the USC HC after the season was over.
   Derek Dooley- Present Coach

LSU
   Gerry DiNardo (1995-1999) - After 3 straight successful seasons, final 2 seasons DiNardo experienced a 4-7 '98 season and a 2-8 '99 season (replaced by Interim HC Hal Hunter in final game of season)
   Nick Saban (2000-2004)- Had a successful tenure, but left LSU to coach the Miami Dolphins.
   Les Miles- Current Coach (2005-Present)

Florida St.
   Bobby Bowden (1976-2009) - Retired after 34 years of Coaching; Final years saw a decrease in production, yet he still continued to send the Noles to post season.
   Jimbo Fisher- Present HC

Miami
   Butch Davis (1995-2000)- Brought the Canes back from violations of the NCAA rules from predecessor, Dennis Erickson; only one season under .500, and brought Canes to an 11-1 record in his final season; Stepped down as HC to take the Head Coaching job for the Clevelland Browns.
   Larry Coker (2001-2006) - Three straight 11+ win seasons, followed by two 9 win seasons; final season saw a 7-6 record.. was fired after the '06 season
   Randy Shannon (2007-Present)- Former DC under Coker and Present HC

Texas
   John Mackovic (1992-1997)- First two seasons were mediocre, then saw an 8 win and 10 win season followed by another 8 win season; In the final season, he finished with a 4-7 record. Mack Brown was hired from UNC
   Mack Brown- 1998-Present; One of the most successful coaches in program's history

Oklahoma
   John Blake (1996-1998)- Had three straight below .500 seasons. Bob Stoops was hired after the '98 season.
   Bob Stoops- 1999-Present; One of the most successful coaches in program's history.

USC
   Pete Carroll (2001-2009)- Won 84% of the games competed in; Stepped down from USC to coach the Seattle Seahawks
   Lane Kiffin- Present HC

        You see... this is why most fans are upset with the way the University handled the whole ordeal. Coach Leach was not fired due to poor performance or because of his lack of motivation. He did not step down for a coaching job that was far superior than that of being head pirate for the Red Raiders. Coach Leach was the most winningness coach in program history, led the Red Raiders to 10 straight bowl games, had an AVERAGE of 9 wins in his final 6 seasons in Lubbock, and had no less than 8 wins in all but two of his years as Head Coach at Texas Tech. He had a 5-4 record in Bowl games (Red Raiders won this final bowl game, so I am saying 6-4 in 10 years for Coach Leach), brought home a Championship from a 15 year championless drought, and turned this program around from his predecessor, Spike D(y)kes... and the University canned him for some nonsense.
           I still bleed red and black, but when something like this happens to a person that was able to achieve all this great success, it boils my blood. I do wish HC TT the best for as long as he is a Red Raider, but I give credit to Coach Leach if this team happens to win a Conference Championship (or multiple) within the next 2-3 years, because Coach Leach and his staff put this team of young men together. THEY were the one's that were going to put the face of this program on a National Scene because of all the success that was starting to be shown in West Texas. Maybe Coach Tubbs will be able to do what Coach Tress did in Ohio St. after Cooper... turn that program from an already successful program into a competitive National Championship Program. I am still skeptical until I see sometype of success within the next few years, but will continue to show my Red Raider Pride.

WRECK EM TECH!!!!!!!