LUBBOCK, Texas — The lawyer for Mike Leach says the suspended Texas Tech coach did nothing wrong in how he treated a player with a “mild” concussion, and Leach wants a court’s help to allow him to coach the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2.
The motion for a temporary restraining order was filed Tuesday in Lubbock. An in-chambers hearing was set for Wednesday morning in the 99th District Court.
University officials suspended Leach on Monday while the school investigates a complaint from receiver Adam James and his family. James is the son of former NFL player Craig James, now a television sports analyst for ESPN.
A person close to James with direct knowledge of the situation alleges the player was twice forced to stand in a small, dark place while the team practiced. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition on anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the complaint.
Leach was “begged to work something out to avoid a confrontation,” said a person familiar with the inquiry who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
That person also said Leach late last week postponed a meeting related to the inquiry and refused to sign a letter saying “no one injured would be returned to work out without doctors’ permission.”
The school’s attorney left a voice mail message with Leach’s attorney that the university needed a letter of apology by noon Monday, the person said.
It did not arrive.
“That’s when they made the decision to suspend (Leach), thinking that would bring him to his senses,” the person said.
Jerry Turner, vice chairman of the university system’s board of regents, declined to comment on whether, if true, the incidents might lead to Leach’s departure.
“We haven’t gotten to that point, of course,” he said. “This is an ongoing inquiry, and I certainly do not want to prejudice the results of the inquiry.”
Leach led Texas Tech to the best season in program history last year, going 11-2.
