Leach was notorious for a Briles-like OOC schedule when he was at Tech. Basically started every season with a guaranteed 3-0 record. But because everyone loves Leach and hates Briles nobody brings that up.
4-0 record in OOC because Leach was coach during the years before the round robin schedule.
"In 10 seasons as the head coach at Texas Tech (2000-09), Leach guided the Red Raiders to a 84-43 record."
They went 60-65 in the 10 years since.
Damn was Tech stupid to fire him.
I feel like the Big 12 has been deeper and more challenging in the 10 years since Leach left (2009) than it was during the Leach years.
-Oklahoma State took the next step as a program under Grundy, including a 2011 Big 12 title and Orange Bowl victory.
-K State went up a level as a program after Synders return, including a 2012 Big 12 title.
-Baylor went from a national laughingstock to a contender under Briles/Rhule, including Big 12 titles in 2013 and 2014.
-TCU joined the league and finished in the top 10 three times, including a big 12 title in 2014.
-Iowa State is now always a tough out with a great coach in Matt Campbell.
Yes Leach had to deal with Oklahoma and Texas always being good, but after those two I feel like the Big 12 schedule just wasn’t as tough. I don’t think Leach’s record at Tech would be as good if he had stayed.
Plus, Leach’s offense was super revolutionary during his time at Tech. Defenses simply didn’t have the personnel or the know how to stop it. That wouldn’t have been the case in recent years.