[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 132 (Thursday, September 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1558-E1559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    GUNS UP--FOOTBALL AND MIKE LEACH

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2011

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in coffee shops, barber shops and even 
in the beauty salons all across Texas, the talk is the same--how's the 
team gonna be this year? It's that time of year, a time that folks in 
Texas and across the South prepare for all year long, Football season. 
Football in Texas is its own religion, where even the preacher cuts the 
sermon short on Sundays to get you home in time to watch the game. 
Nowhere else on earth will you find a culture so linked with football 
like is in Texas.
  Texas football is that of both legend and legacy. It has spawned 
countless books, movies and TV series; providing a look into a way of 
life that is so proudly unique. It's the Junction Boys, the Tyler Rose, 
the last minute touchdown run by Texas Longhorn Vince Young in the Rose 
Bowl for the National Championship. I was there by the way with my son, 
Kurt. What a game, what a memory.
  Most Texans, if you ask them, have at least one team for which their 
loyalty lies. One thing I can say without a doubt is that Texas Tech 
fans love their football. It is the rich heritage of tradition that 
sets Texas Tech apart from all the rest. It is Bangin' Bertha, the 
Saddle Tramps and the Masked Rider. It's Raider Alley, the Double T 
Saddle and Raider Red. Raider Red fires two 12-gauge shotguns after 
every touchdown and field goal--only in Texas.
  The Mike Leach Era, at Texas Tech, began in 2000, when he arrived 
from Oklahoma (OU Sooners) to take the head coaching position. During 
his first season, Coach Leach's offense produced records in nearly 
every passing category. In his following nine seasons, the Red Raiders 
surpassed each of those passing records and doubled their yards per 
game. Everyone can agree that Leach has one of the greatest offensive 
minds in football history. Leach coaches outside-the-box; he trained 
Tech in the art of air assault operations.
  During his subsequent football seasons with Texas Tech, he was 
awarded three national coach-of-the-year awards: the Woody Hayes, the 
George Munger and the Howie Long/Fieldturf. He never had a losing 
season in his nine seasons at Tech. His record speaks for itself.
  Seventeen of Leach's Red Raiders were drafted into the National 
Football League, and another twenty-one signed free agent contracts 
under Leach's tenure. In addition, while coaching at Tech, Leach's 
graduation rates increased and remained over 70 percent.
  Not only is Mike Leach a great coach but he is also a lawyer. He 
earned his law degree from Pepperdine, and credits his law school 
education to his successful coaching career. According to Leach, ``a 
law degree is a degree in problem solving. My Juris Doctor has helped 
me solve a number of problems I have faced throughout my coaching 
career.'' A lawyer, who thinks outside-the-box, sounds familiar.
  In 2009, he was fired from Tech over controversy for allegedly 
mistreating one of his players. Leach denied mistreating the player and 
is currently working for CBS College Sports as an announcer. As 
legendary Coach Bum Phillips is credited with saying: ``there are two 
types of coaches--those that have been fired and those that will be''. 
Leach recently wrote a book about his path into coaching and he looks 
forward to getting back on the sideline.
  Among Red Raider fans and those who have met him, played for him and 
learned from him, Mike Leach is wholeheartedly considered a legend in 
his own time.
  So this weekend, grab the family, put on your team colors and head to 
the game. Grab some hot dogs and a coke and take part in one of Texas' 
finest traditions. You will see some of those folks that you went to 
high school with some of the same old guys sitting in the same seats as 
they were in 20-30 years ago. I wish all the players, the coaches, the 
trainers, the cheerleaders, the drill team and all those people that 
volunteer their time to support our kids the very best luck. Know that 
you are all a part of something very special, a Texas religion--Texas 
Football.
  And that's just the way it is.

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