The Firing Of Coach Mike Leach: The Backroom Deal That Deflated the Red Raider Nation. Acclaimed author Michael Lee Lanning uncovers the backroom dealings that led to the firing of Coach Mike Leach and turned the Red Raider nation against the Texas Tech administration. 78 percent of all Texas Tech students and alumni believe Coach Mike Leach should not have been fired. 67.5 percent feel Chancellor Kent Hance and the Texas Tech administration badly mishandled the situation and never should have dismissed Coach Mike Leach. 72 percent have an unfavorable opinion of ESPN announcer Craig James. Based on survey of Texas Tech students and alumni conducted September 2-3, 2011. "I strongly urge you to not close this matter concerning Adam James ... I don't want to eliminate our ability to use this to our advantage should we determine to use it to terminate Leach." --- Email from Regent Larry Anders to Chancellor Kent Hance, December 27, 2009 "Contract obligates TTU to pay 'completion bonuses' (800K in 2009 and 200K in 2010) only if he is head football coach at University as of December 31, 2009 ... but if we fired him on November 30, 2009, contract does not entitle him to receive the completion bonus." --- Email from Regent Jerry Turner to Regents John Scovell and Larry Anders, February 20, 2009