College Football Capsules: Mike Leach testifies in lawsuit vs Texas Tech

LUBBOCK — Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach spent more than five hours behind closed doors Friday, testifying under oath as part of his lawsuit against the school for firing him amid allegations he mistreated a player suffering from a concussion.

After completing his deposition, Leach gave a brief statement, his voice cracking with emotion as he talked about how great it was to be back in Lubbock after a decade building his pass-happy team into a Big 12 powerhouse.

"We’ve had 10 incredible years here, and had a really good day today," he said. "What can I say? It’s 10 years."

He got up quickly from his chair and left the room.

Leach has denied he mistreated receiver Adam James last season and said he suspects an $800,000 bonus he was to have received Dec. 31 was the reason he was fired one day earlier. His lawsuit includes allegations of libel and slander and breach of contract.

The sophomore receiver said his coach twice ordered him to stand for hours while confined in a dark place during practice. James and his father, former player and ESPN analyst Craig James, are expected to give their depositions on Saturday.

One of Leach’s attorneys, Ted Liggett, said Leach will be in the room when Craig James is questioned, but not when the younger James gives his deposition.

Another one of Leach’s attorneys, Paul Dobrowski, said his client’s case is "substantially stronger" following depositions from school officials who investigated allegations of mistreatment. He said testimony from school Chancellor Kent Hance and a university attorney confirmed Leach’s contention that Craig James wanted the coach fired when he complained about the way his son was treated following his injury.

One of the attorneys for Texas Tech, Dicky Grigg, said at a news conference late Friday that Leach testified that he "never treated" another player with a concussion like he treated Adam James.

"It was clear from Mike Leach’s deposition taken today that he was out to punish a student athlete who had a brain concussion," Grigg said. "This is shown by the language he admitted today under oath that he used."

The school released a profanity-laden sentence that Grigg said had been Leach’s instruction to trainer Steve Pincock at that time, and that Leach admitted to saying in his sworn testimony Friday.

"What this language shows is that his intent was vindictive, not therapeutic to this young man," Grigg said.

"Anything else that’s being discussed by anyone, other than these indisputable facts proven under oath, anything else is simply an attempt to confuse and avoid the real issues."

Testimony from Hance and the attorney also confirmed that university President Guy Bailey penned a memo Dec. 27 to Hance recommending that Leach "be issued a letter of reprimand" and that the James case be closed, Dobrowski said.

But Dobrowski said Craig James got word to the chancellor that he wanted Leach fired. Hance relayed that information to the board of regents and board Chairman Larry Anders and Vice Chairman Jerry Turner were the ones that recommended Leach be fired, Dobrowski said.

Dobrowski said Hance and the attorney both testified in their depositions that it was "against Texas Tech policy for regents to unduly influence or direct Messrs. Bailey and Myers to terminate an employee like Mike Leach."

The Bailey memo also stated, Dobrowski said, that university policy gave Leach the right to file a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order after he was suspended Dec. 28 "without fear of retaliation." Yet he accused Anders of recommending that Leach be fired if he filed a lawsuit.

"I think that we know and they know that our case has gotten substantially stronger by virtue of the discovery process, and that the documents that Texas Tech has produced has confirmed Mike’s position," Dobrowski said.

The case has been ugly, including a rapid-fire stream of court filings filled with accusations.

Dobrowski said it was "no coincidence" Texas Tech released video footage this week that shows Leach in the locker room after games against Baylor and Kansas State. Leach is seen and heard using profane language when talking to his team.

The school released the footage because, Dobrowski said, because it is "trying to smear Mike."

Grigg said the school was required by law to release the footage after media outlets filed open records requests. He said he did not know who informed the outlets the tapes existed but that they are "irrelevant" to this case.

The dispute was ordered into mediation, but Dobrowski said he believes the case will go to trial.

"That’s my view," he said. "Certainly we are preparing for trial."

Oregon QB Masoli suspended for next season

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was suspended Friday for the upcoming season by coach Chip Kelly after pleading guilty to second-degree burglary in the theft of a pair of laptops and a guitar from a campus fraternity.

Masoli, who had been mentioned as a potential Heisman candidate, will remain on scholarship with the Ducks.

"He does have a redshirt season available to him if he chooses to do that," Kelly said.

Kelly announced the suspension just hours after Masoli appeared in Lane County Circuit Court to answer to the burglary charge.

Kelly, who has come under fire for some of his disciplinary decisions, also meted out punishment for running back LaMichael James and placekicker Rob Beard.

James was suspended for the season opener after he pleaded guilty early Friday to a misdemeanor harassment charge stemming from an altercation with his former girlfriend.

Beard was also suspended for the opener Sept. 4 at home against New Mexico after pleading guilty last week to a misdemeanor harassment charge for his role in a street fight that left him seriously injured.

"I am extremely disappointed anytime any of our players fall short of our expectations that have been clearly outlined for them in advance on numerous occasions, and this is especially true regarding their roles within the community," Kelly said. "Their accountability for their actions is paramount and any tainting of the reputation of the University of Oregon and this football program will not be tolerated."

Masoli pleaded guilty as part of a deal that reduced his charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. Former Ducks receiver Garrett Embry pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of second-degree burglary as well.

Both were sentenced to 12 months of probation and 140 hours of community service. Together they must also pay $5,000 restitution.

In the same courtroom hours earlier, James entered his plea and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 24 months of probation. He reported to jail on Friday afternoon but was quickly released and instead put on electronic surveillance for the duration of his sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner had said earlier that it was unlikely James would serve jail time because of overcrowding, and because his offense was relatively minor and he was considered low-risk.

James, who set a Pac-10 freshman record with more than 1,500 yards rushing last season, originally faced five misdemeanor charges, including strangulation, harassment and assault. All but one harassment charge were dropped.

In a statement that was included in court documents related to the case, James apologized to the victim, a former girlfriend. She claimed he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument on Feb. 15.

"I hope to put this matter behind me now and learn from it. I have made a mistake and accept the consequences," the statement said. "I look forward to demonstrating to my University, to my team and to the community that I am a better man than recent events suggest."

James rushed for 1,546 yards last season as a freshman, the ninth-highest total in the nation. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon’s 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.

Masoli threw for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 668 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The two helped lead Oregon to a remarkable comeback from a season-opening loss to Boise State. The Ducks won their first Pac-10 title since 2001 and earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1995.

Kelly’s action was the latest twist to the Ducks’ offseason of disarray.

Beard was placed on probation after entering his plea.

Linebacker Kiko Alonso pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Eugene Municipal Court last week. Kelly suspended Alonso for the 2010 season upon learning of the arrest.

Defensive end Matt Simms was dismissed by Kelly after he was cited on assault charges last month. Simms pleaded guilty to physical harassment for striking a man he thought had beaten Beard.

Receiver Jamere Holland was dismissed from the team after posting vulgar comments and criticizing Kelly on the Facebook social networking site.

Kelly, who made his debut as a head coach last season, was questioned after he brought back running back LeGarrette Blount early from a season-long suspension.

Blount was suspended for punching a Boise State defensive end following the season-opening loss. He missed eight games before he was reinstated for meeting certain academic and behavioral criteria set down by Kelly.

University president Richard Lariviere issued a statement late Friday in support of Kelly’s actions.

"I am confident that Coach Kelly has carefully and fairly considered the disciplinary actions he is imposing," Lariviere said. "I know that he understands the high expectations of Oregon’s faculty, students and fans."

-- Anne M. Peterson

Tide opens spring practice with holes on defense

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s biggest task for spring practice might be rebuilding a depleted defense, but the coaches also are making it clear that the Crimson Tide can’t dwell on the national championship.

"They definitely don’t want us to be satisfied with what we’ve done," guard Barrett Jones said after the Crimson Tide held its first practice on Friday. "We have an opportunity to be a great team this year but we haven’t done anything yet."

The Tide is an early, early favorite to open next season ranked No. 1 thanks to an offense that returns eight starters, including Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Mark Ingram and wide receiver Julio Jones.

Alabama worked out for about two hours on Friday before beginning spring break with practice set to resume March 22. A defense that has been among the nation’s best the past two years must replace nine starters, including three All-Americans.

"Especially with the young guys we have on defense, it’s good to expose them," coach Nick Saban said. "It gives them something to take home with them during the break."

Saban said safety Robby Green was excused from practice for personal reasons but will be with the team when it returns from spring break. He had responded to an earlier report saying Green had been suspended by saying he wouldn’t comment until the player had gone through "due process."

"We have not been through that, but he’s allowed to practice," Saban said. "We’ll let you know when we have more information on what his situation is. I don’t have any more information on that right now."

Center William Vlachos will miss the spring while recovering from foot surgery.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower was limited Friday, but Saban said that was because of a strained calf, not the knee injury that required surgery.

The Tide is experimenting with receivers Kendall Kelly and Brandon Gibson at defensive back. Jalston Fowler, a running back signee, is getting a look at linebacker.

"Spring is a time where we’re going to fiddle around with the roster a little bit," Saban said. "Depth chart means nothing in the spring. Mostly it’s for organizational purposes."

Fowler is among eight newcomers, including seven freshmen and one junior college transfer, who are participating in spring practice.

The Tide must replace three starters in the secondary — along with some key backups and nickel backs — and three starting linebackers. All-American defenders Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain are all gone from one of the nation’s top defenses.

Alabama could find some answers this spring at cornerback. Highly touted freshmen DeMarcus Milliner and John Fulton both enrolled in January to attempt to challenge returnees such as B.J. Scott and LSU transfer Phelon Jones.

Hightower could replace Butkus Award winner McClain as leader of the linebackers.

"Everybody has to step up all at once," said defensive end Marcell Dareus, one of the stars from the national championship game with Texas. "We really can’t say who’s going to be the leader. You really can’t tell right now."

Dareus said the coaches made it clear that "we can’t live in the past."

"They stress that we have to build our own path," he said.

Notes: Saban said running back Terry Grant, a onetime starter, decided not to return to the team because of injuries. Grant has already graduated. ... Jones leaves Saturday for a mission trip to Pignon, Haiti, where he’ll work with an orphanage. ... New defensive assistant Jeremy Pruitt is working with the defensive backs while coordinator Kirby Smart moved up to coach the linebackers.

-- John Zenor

Music City Bowl extends SEC partnership

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Music City Bowl has extended its partnership with the Southeastern Conference through the 2013 season.

The bowl in Nashville matches teams from the SEC and the Atlantic Coast Conference typically between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The bowl announced the extension Friday.

The bowl will select sixth after the BCS selections for 2010-2013 and will continue to be broadcast on ESPN through 2014.