Chokelahoma

While the dust settles in Lubbock in response to the sudden firing of head football coach Mike Leach, the lingering question for college football fans is not whether Leach did or did not carry out the alleged acts but rather what happens to Texas Tech now? Mike Leach brought a flair and winning atmosphere to a second rate BCS conference team. The red raiders have more collegiate accolades for women’s basketball than football.

Let’s face it, before Mike Leach Tech fans were happy with the occasional win over Texas or Texas A&M on route to a .500 season. Since the pirate swag collector showed up though, the panhandle fans grew accustomed to bowl games and conference title hunts. Last year Texas Tech was one win from a national title game invitation.

True the 3rd largest public school in Texas won’t be able to compete at such high levels every year but without Leach can they expect to ever again?

Leach was not only an offensive genius, ranking in the top 5 nationally for passing offense 5 consecutive years, but a magician at the podium. He could make sub-par performances disappear with an ill advised remark about “fat girlfriends” or taking jabs at former Aggie quarterbacks.

You can love him or hate him but you can’t deny that Mike Leach brought attention to Texas Tech and he made the entire Big 12 conference more fun to watch. Unfortunately the future for Tech football looks as grim as Mike Leach’s coaching career and that could effect 11 other teams and hordes of fans.