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Texas Tech coach fined $10,000 for criticism of officials

Associated Press






Updated: November 13, 2007, 3:58 PM ET



LUBBOCK, Texas -- The Big 12 on Tuesday slapped Texas Tech coach Mike Leach with the largest fine in conference history for his harsh criticism of game officials after last week's loss to Texas.
Leach's fine of $10,000 was twice the previous high.
Leach was issued a public reprimand and the Big 12 "put him on notice that any future such behavior will result in a more serious penalty, including a possible suspension," the conference said in a news release.
Leach and Tech athletic department officials were not commenting on the sanctions, spokesman Chris Cook said.
After No. 12 Texas beat the Red Raiders 59-43 Saturday, Leach condemned the officiating crew in Austin, calling their work "a complete travesty."
The eighth-year coach was upset officials disallowed two Tech touchdowns in the third quarter, the first on an overrule after reviewing video that clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. A TD pass on the next play was negated by a holding penalty. Leach also wanted, but didn't get, a flag for roughing the quarterback.
"Coach Leach's public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the conference's officiating program," Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said.
At his weekly meeting with media Monday, Leach did not retreat from his comments, but avoided repeating them.
On Saturday, Leach noted without naming him that referee Randy Christly lives in Austin.
He said the conference needs "to take a serious look" at having officials from other conferences call the Tech-Texas games as well as others involving matchups where he claimed there is proven to be a bias by officials.
The Big 12 had twice fined coaches $5,000.
Three years ago, Kansas coach Mark Mangino was fined for suggesting after a last-second loss to Texas that officials wanted the Longhorns to win because it kept alive their hopes for a lucrative Bowl Championship Series bid.
During the 2005-06 basketball season, former Kansas State coach Jim Wooldridge was docked $5,000 for criticizing officials after a 71-70 loss at Oklahoma.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press