HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I've always promised that DTN would not become political (and I'll ask that you not comment on his political leanings) but I can't pass this up:
"I think Americans today, if you placed us back in 1765, it would be the same scenario," James said. "We’ve got the American revolution taking place again."
Coaching Candidates and Interviews: So yesterday was relatively uneventful in terms of actual information trickling from the administration, but there were some events that happened that are at least making me pause. News broke yesterday that Texas Tech President Guy Bailey, an Alabama graduate, would be informally interviewing Kirby Smart, Alabama's 34 year old defensive coordinator. Per LAJ's Don Williams, Texas Tech AD Gerald Myers had this to say about the situation:
"That’s something that I’m not aware of,’’ Myers said Thursday afternoon. "I know he’s a good young coach and a good young prospective coach, but at this point we haven’t made any plans to contact him.’’
I'm not sure what's going on here. If Bailey is running the show and giving Smart an informal interview because he's an Alabama guy, but the part that mystifies me is that there could at least be some sort of communication between the principals. And if there is some communication, then please don't lie to your fans.
Also yesterday, interim head coach and defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill was "interviewed" a second time yesterday, although this second interview was characterized as "just a talk". Again, per the LAJ, here's McNeill:
"He just called me in and we just revisited what we talked about — my philosophy and what my plan would be and those kinds of things,’’ said McNeill, who interviewed on Monday. "I thought it went pretty good. There’s been some time in between, so I was pleased to have a chance to go back over it.’’
I'm trying not to be a conspiracy theorist, but this doesn't sound right. I can't put my finger on this, but something about this second interview doesn't sound right. I don't think that you interview a person and ask them the same thing a second time and I can already hear the snide remarks, I can't imagine that Myers would have forgotten between now and Monday. As always, I do not have any inside information, but I would agree that this is "just a talk", but I have a feeling that this talk may have been about something else.
Also in the LAJ article was more quotes from Tommy Tuberville, who had this to say about the situation at Texas Tech:
"After I left, I felt great about it in terms of if I did come to Texas Tech, I thought everybody was on the same page,’’ he said. "Tech has got their foot in the door. I think Tech needs somebody to kick that door in. I feel like I would work well on both sides.’’
Board of Regents: "It's Not Our Fault": I get the feeling that the emails, phone calls and letters are being heard (I plan on writing more about this over the weekend when I have more time) as the Texas Tech Board of Regents released a statement (pdf) regarding the current situation, per KCBD:
We want the record to be clear for all to understand: it was his poor judgment regarding the mistreatment of an injured player and his unwillingness to work with the University leadership that led to Coach Leach’s suspension and termination.
The BOR is blaming the entire situation on the treatment of James, and LondonRaider has already detailed that it's not about the concussions and it's not about the money, it must be about something else. The administration and the BOR would be doing themselves and everyone else a favor if they instead made a statement about everything that's happened. You are not building a very good case to your public. Simply saying that it's not your fault isn't good enough at this point. Tell us what really happened.
Game Tomorrow
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Oklahoma St. Cowboys
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Stillwater, OK
Television: KAMC (Lubbock); Fox Sports SW; ESPN 360
DTN Preview: Tomorrow
Non-Conference Success: LAJ's Courtney Linehan writes that the Big 12 success has been their play in non-conference play this year. Head coach Pat Knight knows that the Big 12 is a tough conference:
"I think everyone, talking-wise, knows we have the best league in the country," Knight said. "Kansas and Texas are No. 1 and 2, Kansas State is ranked, we’re ranked, A&M’s been ranked, Baylor’s about to be, Oklahoma State could be."
And PK knows that there's no problem with politicking for the Big 12 (re. the Big East last year):
"They were all saying they should get eight to 10 teams in, then that gets in everyone’s mind," Knight said. "We’re sitting there worried about getting four or five in, and we talk about we should never worry about getting six in. There should be at least six every year because of how good our conference is."
Miscellaneous Links: Rush The Court's Checking in on the Big 12, where they're not impressed with Texas Tech's start . . . CJOnline's Kevin Haskin looks at the Big 12 . . .