|
The more I think about this, the more I convice myself that Mike Leach probably belongs here. Leach (and Hal Mumme) molded Kentucky into a force in the late 90s, setting over 100 school and 40+ SEC records and making Couch a top draft pick. Oklahoma did a complete u-turn worst to first in his one year there in 1999, and the Sooners are still reaping the benefits of the offense he jump started with his one year mentoring Heupel. Since arriving at Texas Tech his teams have smashed every record imaginable and gone to five straight bowl games. Slowly, the recruiting classes are getting better, the running game just might explode this season with Taurean Henderson in the backfield, and the talent on the lines and the defense is gradually making strides (sacks allowed has been cut almost in half since 2002).
Meh, maybe Leach falls somewhere in the Top 11-20 range, but if guys like Spurrier, Hawkins, and Tedford are getting a sniff of the Top 10, Leach deserves at least an honorable mention. That 'air-raid' Kentucky team, lead by Tim Couch of all people (!), hung 800 yards on Louisville once. If that's not 'fun-n-gun,' I don't know what is.
That Leach has duplicated this success three times now, and most recently in Lubbock of all places, which is probably lucky to get to pick what's left over of the players Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma don't want, is a statement.
__________________
|