Tennessee Hiring Mike Leach Would Be Amazing
According to multiple reports, Tennessee’s never-ending, ridiculous coaching search has now focused its attention on a pirate. Yes, The Vols are apparently closing in on Washington State coach Mike Leach.
While Leach would be a disaster in Knoxville, man would it be entertaining.
Sources tell @NBCDFWSports that former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is working on a deal to become the next coach at Tennessee. A deal could be announced Friday. I’m working on more details.
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) December 1, 2017
Mike Leach tells me tonight that “I'm on my way.” Leach interviewed for the Tennessee job today.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) December 1, 2017
While he’s had isolated success during his 16 years as a head coach, the 56-year-old Leach has never truly won at a high level. In 10 seasons at Texas Tech he posted a record of 84-43, but won only one division title (no conference titles), never went to a BCS bowl and finished in the top 15 just once.
Leach has been at Washington State for six years, and has a record of 38-37 and has never finished inside the top 25. So yeah, not a ton of success on his resume. His teams are usually decent, rarely better.
Make no mistake, Leach’s teams are almost always difficult to play, given his “Air Raid” passing attack. While his squads are good for one big upset every other year or so, he doesn’t develop consistent winners and rarely has a solid defense that can help him win close games.
Leach would almost certainly not bring long-term glory to Tennessee, but damn would it be entertaining. He’s a guy whose quotes and press conferences are already legendary, and that has come while he’s been in the less-than-robust media markets of Lubbock, Texas and Pullman, Washington. Can you imagine what’s going to happen if he winds up in Knoxville, in the heart of SEC country?
I’m begging, no, I’m demanding Tennessee makes this hire. I just want to see Mike Leach at SEC media days once. Just once! His general disdain for that kind of thing is so palpable I legitimately can’t wait to watch him be forced to attend.
Look, maybe Leach catches some fire in the SEC. He’s never had resources like Tennessee’s at his disposal, but color my skeptical. That said, I’m not sure there are better options out there and willing to coach the Volunteers.
Tennessee’s coaching search has been a beautiful disaster. It would be fitting if athletic director John Currie settled on Mike Leach.