I have been observing the saga that led to the termination of Texas Tech’s Head Football coach, Mike Leach, since it all started right after Christmas.  I will always be a loyal Tech fan.  A lot of fans are outraged at the manner in which he has been treated, so it is with great caution that I weigh in on a subject that is close to the hearts of many.

There is not much doubt that the player Leach is accused of mistreating is nothing more than a spoiled brat.  There is sufficient testimony from a variety of credible people to draw such a conclusion.  Did Coach Leach make some poor judgment calls as a coach in the way he dealt with this kid?  I honestly do not have enough information to reach a well-informed conclusion.  Time will tell. The truth will come to the surface.  I have never been a college football coach, but I will say that I would have handled the same situation much differently.

Leach’s termination reminds me of two important facts.  The first one is:  Competency as a leader does not replace the need for outstanding people skills. It does not make any difference how competent a person is in a chosen field.  If he cannot get along with people, his career will stagnate.  People are often terminated because they cannot function interpersonally.  You have to play well with others.  A lack of fundamental people skills appears to be Coach Leach’s downfall.

The second fact I was reminded of by this saga is:  As a society, we have profound distrust of leadership in general.   I am not familiar with the current president at Texas Tech.  I am not acquainted with those who are now sitting on the Board of Regents.  I have been amazed to see how quickly people are to race to judgment, when so many of the facts are yet to be presented.  The university president, athletic director, and regents have all been lambasted by fans, students, and alumni.   A race to judgment is premature.  We don’t trust our leaders.  We assume the worst.  We automatically impugn the worst of motives.  Maybe there is good reason for such extreme wariness, but it is sad.  How will any of the important institutions of our society function successfully if we are unable to trust leaders?

I am sad to see Coach Leach depart under a cloud of a raging conflict.  He is a talented coach .But  no one is irreplacable.  Football at Texas Tech will go on without him.  Coach Ruffin McNeill has my vote of confidence.  I was hoping he would be offered the position.  But apparently that is not going to happen.  Coach Tommy Tuberville has been named the next coach.   I think Ruff was the man for the job, but I suppose I should trust those in charge…