As I pinged my way through the heart of San Francisco several months ago, I spotted a TV crew, and being the publicity-needy waif that I am, I got right in the middle of them. They were shooting a pilot for MTV, and they ended up interviewing me. The only reason they gave me the time of day? — I had on a bright red Texas Tech t-shirt … probably the only one in the Bay Area … and TT football was ranked #2 in the nation that day (albeit shortlived).
Makin Like Pirates
One of the TV hosts was from England and one was from Detroit. The latter was a Texas Tech fan! Why? Two reasons — legendary Coach Bobby Knight and genius Coach/pirate enthusiast Mike Leach! If you have not been following along, Knight retired after a lackluster showing on the courts for Tech. But, his media value to Tech — invaluable.
However, Leach is still there — technically. He is literally the best thing that ever happened to Tech. He has gotten unimaginable publicity, and his record is sick! He defies reason. Every year, Leach is pistol-whipped on recruiting day, yet somehow he defeats the major programs who are teeming with blue-chippers! Leach has put the school on the national radar, like never before.
But, as you may have seen in media coverage this week, Texas Tech is playing the gambler this time — and it appears Leach’s guys have called the bluff. Accordingly, the media coverage has not been flattering. Why should it be? The university may allow the smartest man in football to slip through their hands.
Fumblers.
The swashbuckling Leach, his management team and my alma mater have agreed on the booty — reportedly a $12 million dollar deal. BUT … they are at odds on buyout clauses and control of Leach in the media. So, Tech’s self-imposed signing deadline has passed.
Okay, can we stop right there?
Let’s think about that media control thing. While Tech has been known for things like doling out a pair of cowboy boots and publicity stunts like that in the past, Mike Leach brought THE DONALD into the fold. Did you see Donald Trump stump for Leach and his Red Raiders on national TV last Fall? And don’t get me started on his cool YouTube weather forecast!
Can I get a witness? (I mean!)
What in the world are they thinking in Lubbock? This is a no-brainer. Find out what Leach wants and double it, TT!
I am not a betting man, unless it is a sure thing (which is sort of like a conundrum) … I digress … I would wager that guys such as the MTV host from Detroit for example (mentioned above) would not recognize the name of the Texas Tech chancellor — even though The Honorable Kent Hance is a highly regarded, brilliant, former Texas lawmaker. And I would bet the farm they can’t name the athletic director, even though Gerald Myers mentored basketball at Tech long before Bobby Knight. If — and it is a big if — if most non-Texans have even heard of Lubbock, it is because of rocker Buddy Holly and now Mike(y) Leach. That’s it!
Sign him. Seal the deal. Do the deed.
But wait. No doubt there are all kinds of politics going on behind the scenes, particularly among the faculty.
So in conclusion, for the intelligentsia who may be opposed to a “mindless act” like kowtowing to a football coach — crack open the smelling salts (which are produced by heating a mixture of ammonium chloride, or ammonium sulfate and chalk, to redness in iron retorts, the vapors being condensed in leaden receivers).
Higher education is a business, which is a numbers game. Logic dictates that if potential student X has not heard of school Y, he/she will not attend it. (See “sure bet”above.)
So, if you don’t do what it takes to grow your brand and therefore grow your enrollment — with both research scientists and beer bong philosophers — the dollars will go elsewhere. And you, my friends, may find yourself short of Bunson burners. I do agree with you in principle on this — the million-dollar purse from a bowl game may bolster the athletic department more than anything else. But the multi-million dollars worth of TV time, buzz, prestige, branding and notoriety benefit every branch of the university.
Help yourselves. Don’t just sit there. Insist that the school unite and take advantage of this opportunity dropped in its lap.
And who knows, maybe someday Leach will donate his brain to science (at Tech) … See the mad scientist with Scott Pelley on CBS’ “60 Minutes”:
“Guns Up,” yo!
Know what I sayin?
