Old West Showdown At Texas Tech - Mike Leach vs Gerald Myers

Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach knows right now he has maximum leverage and using every bit of that to get what he wants. That might mean he's ready to get the heck out of Lubbock.

Leach and Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers, who was the head basketball coach for the Red Raiders for years, have been going back and forth on a contract extension. Those negotiations may have come to the point of no return. Tuesday Leach turned down Texas Tech's latest offer.

"Coach Leach has declined our $12.7 million contract." Myers said. "We will enter the decision-making process and should have some announcements by next week. Our decisions will be based on the best interest of Texas Tech and all of its supporters."

In other words, if you don't like it here, don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out.

Leach told KCBD-TV "Right now I just figure I'm going to finish out my current contract and just leave it at that."

There is a general feeling among Texas Tech officials and supporters of Mike Leach that the only possible outcome now is for Leach to be fired.

Sources have indicated that there has been a simmering feud between Myers and Leach that goes back to when Bob Knight was hired as head basketball coach in 2001. It seems that part of the deal with Knight was that he wanted Leach's parking spot as part of the deal and got it.

As I said, Myers is the former head basketball coach at Texas Tech, is a hoop guy and close pals with Bob Knight.

All Leach as done during is tenure at Texas Tech is put the Red Raiders on the football map. After the year the Red Raiders had this year, including a few national prime time TV appearances, Leach has max leverage and using all he can.

The OSG posse feels Leach is a goner and wants out of Lubbock. If you've been there you would understand. Gerald Myers needs to remember that football is king in Texas and basketball is something to do before spring football. Good luck find a coach to equal Leach's success.

Here's coverage from our friends at KCBD-TV...