The Miami Herald and Lubbock, Texas Avalanche Journal are reporting today (Dec. 5) that Texas Tech coach Mike Leach had an informal discussion Monday with Miami athletic director Paul Dee about the Hurricanes' soon-to-be-vacant head-coaching job.
The Herald cited two unnamed sources in its report. Leach, Dee and Tech athletic director Gerald Myers all are in New York for the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies today.
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Shortly after 6 p.m. Monday, Myers said he still had been given no indication of Miami's interest in Leach – either from Miami or from the Red Raiders' head coach.
"I don't know anything about it at all,'' Myers said.”Nobody has talked to me. I would assume Mike and the (Miami) AD would talk to me if it's actually a formal interview. I don't know. It could be an informal deal or something, but I have not heard from anybody.''
Myers reiterated that it's not a rule, but a common courtesy for others schools' athletic directors to ask permission to interview sitting head coaches.
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"Maybe they won't call me,'' Myers said, "but I would think they would call. But so far I haven't heard from anybody.''
Miami is seeking a replacement for Larry Coker, who was fired at the end of a 6-6 regular season. Coker is staying on to coach the team through its Dec. 31 bowl game in Boise, Idaho, against Nevada.
Earlier Monday, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano turned down the job. Schiano, a former Hurricanes defensive coordinator, said he wants to be at Rutgers, where he led the Scarlet Knights to a 10-2 regular season.
The Herald reported that Dee then planned to talk to Leach and a minority candidate on Monday. The Herald said the latter might or might not be Hurricanes defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, who is African-American.
The paper said Dee was prepared to pitch Leach the idea of being the Miami head coach and keeping Shannon as his defensive coordinator. The Hurricanes gave up an average of 15 points and ranked fifth in the nation in total defense based on yards allowed per game.
Myers said he would expect to hear it from Leach if his coach was contemplating another job.
"I think if they call Mike to talk to him about it or anything, I feel sure he'd talk to me,'' Myers said.”I feel he'd talk to me about it if they contacted him, which he hasn't. Until that time, I just feel its speculation.''
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Leach's agent, Gary O'Hagan, said late Monday afternoon that "I haven't talked to anybody from Miami, and I don't think Mike has either.''
When asked if he'd answer additional questions, O'Hagan said, "No. I have nothing to add. I got to go,'' and hung up.
Myers and Leach traveled separately on Sunday to New York, as they have done for the past several years for the NFF and College Football Hall of Fame induction banquet. Myers said he was in meetings with other Big 12 Conference personnel for most of the day Monday and hadn't seen or spoken with Leach.
"I saw him briefly (on Sunday),'' Myers said.”He didn't bring it up. We just talked about the bowl game.''
Tech (7-5) will play Minnesota (6-6) on Dec. 29 at the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
Leach has four years remaining on a contract that guarantees him $10 million over five years. It contains a $500,000 buyout clause.
Leach is completing his seventh year at Tech, where he has never had a losing season.
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