Leach Lawyers File Amended Court Docs
By: Allison Morrison
Updated: January 12, 2010
The ongoing legal action between Mike Leach and Texas Tech continues.
The Leach side filed amended court documents Tuesday morning.
A petition filed by Leach's lawyers brings to light several new causes of action.
The most notable is a violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act by the university.
Leach's newly hired lead counsel, Paul Dobrowski, says a sovereign immunity defense by Tech isn't applicable under the whistleblower claim.
Leach was suspended December 28th, following allegations of player mistreatment.
A temporary restraining order was filed by Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, shortly after.
The purpose of that TRO was to reinstate the coach for the January 2nd bowl game in San Antonio.
Leach, though, was terminated before a hearing on that issue.
The petition claims the former head coach cooperated with Tech's investigation into the allegations of mistreatment, even participating in an interview with Tech attorney, Charlotte Bingham.
Leach claims Bingham advised him that the investigation was no big deal and simply a protection should the James family decide to sue the school.
The pleadings also allege Leach's suspension is due to his refusal to sign a letter brought to him by Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers and President Guy Bailey.
Leach claims that signing the document would have been an admission to player mistreatment.
Leach's lawyers did not present an exact amount the party is seeking in damages suffered by the former coach.
They did note, though, the number will be substantial.
"Coach Leach is unemployable. I mean, you can be the greatest coach in the world but when somebody makes these allegations, especially a Chancellor at a university, and his AD, then other potential employers are going to be reluctant...not only just to hire him, but reluctant to even bother with an interview," Leach's lead counsel, Paul Dobrowski, says.
