Mike Leach hires investigators as part of quest to get Texas Tech to pay him
Washington State coach Mike Leach really, really wants the money he thinks he’s owed from Texas Tech.
Per USA Today, Leach has hired a consulting firm to investigate the university. Leach believes he’s owed $2.5 million that Texas Tech didn’t pay him for the 2009 season. Tech fired Leach on Dec. 30, 2009, just before the payment was guaranteed.
Leach has tried legal action to get the money but it was ruled he couldn’t collect monetary damages. Tech fired Leach after a controversy surrounding the treatment of former Red Raider player Adam James, the son of former SMU running back Craig James.
Investigator Wayne Dolcefino told USA Today it would be starting with phone records.
“We’re going to get into their stuff, OK?” Dolcefino told USA TODAY Sports Monday.
Dolcefino said it’s time for “hardball” with Tech. That includes making public-records requests that seek evidence of waste, fraud and abuse.
“If they want to be weasels and not pay the guy, then they won’t pay him,” Dolcefino said. “But we’re going to look under every nook and cranny. We’re starting with phone records.”
Because of Leach’s alleged treatment of James, Texas Tech says Leach was fired with cause after he was suspended. A defamation suit Leach filed against Craig James was dismissed in 2013.
Leach, the winningest coach in Tech history, can’t sue Texas Tech, a state school, without permission from the Texas Legislature because of the state’s Soverign Immunity law.
Friday, Leach encouraged Texas Tech fans to attend a rally in support of his quest to get Texas Tech to pay him and railed on the school in a news conference last week.
The rally was sparsely attended.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
