The Washington State Cougars say the latest tweet about football coach Mike Leach is for the birds. Houston television reporter David Nuno tweeted Sunday, “Source confirms Mike Leach has interest in #UH job if buyout and contract issues could be worked out.”
The Cougars promptly responded with their own tweet: “WSU officials say no truth to stories linking Mike Leach to Houston.”
Leach guided Texas Tech to 10 winning seasons and bowl games in his 10 years as head coach of the Red Raiders.
Tony Levine was fired Sunday night as Houston’s coach after a 7-5 season that resulted in a bid to the Armed Forces Bowl. He had a 21-17 record in three years after succeeding Kevin Sumlin. Defensive coordinator David Gibbs will be the interim coach for the Jan. 2 appearance vs. Pittsburgh (6-6).
Houston has paid its football coaches far less than the $2.75 million Leach makes at WSU, but the Cougars paid Leach’s predecessor, Paul Wulff, $600,000. WSU confirmed that a buyout of Leach’s remaining contract would cost $1.35 million; after Jan. 1, it drops to $900,000.
Wulff was fired Sunday as South Florida’s offensive coordinator after one season. The 4-8 Bulls doubled their wins total, but the offense improved only marginally, remaining near the bottom of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
After being fired at WSU in 2011, Wulff spent two seasons as a senior offensive assistant with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.
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