HOUSTON (AP) -Texas Tech coach Mike Leach still hasn’t signed a contract extension with the Red Raiders despite months of negotiations.
Leach, who has two years left on his current contract, said Thursday the talks are ongoing.
“They’re still working on it,” he said. “Just trying to make it competitive within the conference.”
Leach spoke before an event to honor him as one of eight finalists for the Paul “Bear” Bryant college coach of the year award.
He was offered a five-year contract extension in mid-December with what Tech athletic director Gerald Myers called a substantial raise. Leach met with Washington officials late last year, but USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian got the post left vacant by the departure of Tyrone Willingham.
Leach, who is 76-39 in nine seasons, helped Tech (11-2) match a school record for wins this season. A 39-33 victory over then-No. 1 Texas catapulted the Red Raiders into the national championship hunt and to a school-best No. 2 ranking.
Their lone Big 12 loss came to Oklahoma and before they lost 47-34 to Mississippi in the Cotton Bowl to finish ranked 12th.
Despite Tech’s progress this season, Leach brushed off the notion that this was a breakthrough year for the Red Raiders.
“No,” he said. “We just try to get better every day. Just improve each day. We’re pleased with the overall body of work, but there’s ways that we can improve.”
All indications are that Leach wants to remain in Lubbock, but when asked if there was a question of if he’ll sign the extension, the quirky and outspoken coach answered: “There is right now. We’re just waiting for them to get it all worked out.”
Leach didn’t sound worried about the loss of star quarterback Graham Harrell and two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Michael Crabtree, who declared for the draft this week.
“All the guys behind them, just have them keep working and put them in there really,” he said.
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