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Texas A&M offended, but Texas Tech's Leach won't back down
Red Raiders coach says he didn't see remarks as derogatory to school10:36 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman and former quarterback Stephen McGee have a problem with Mike Leach.
While explaining himself, the Texas Tech coach may have been more honest than apologetic.
In the process, the Big 12 South just gained another white-hot rivalry.
The commotion began when Leach, who has a history of needling A&M, told SportsDay that he was happy for McGee, taken in the fourth round by the Cowboys.
"The Dallas Cowboys like him more than his coaches at A&M did," Leach said Sunday.
The remark left McGee stunned and Sherman puzzled.
"I don't understand Coach Leach's comments about Stephen McGee," Sherman said Monday. "He was named our starter until he got injured. I've always believed in Stephen's character and I've always believed in his talent, and I always will. I see him having an outstanding NFL career.
"Coach Leach is in no position to comment about my relationship with Stephen McGee."
McGee, a coach's son known for keeping his cool, bristled at Leach's suggestion.
He praised Sherman and former coach Dennis Franchione.
"I don't know where that comment came from or who it was directed at," McGee said. "But I am shocked because my time at A&M was very special to me. Obviously, I got injured, and many people think that Coach Sherman benched me. That's just not true.
"If I had a son today and he was a college quarterback, I would send him to Coach Sherman or Coach Fran without any doubt, without any question, first and foremost."
Monday night, Leach said he didn't intend anything derogatory toward A&M, its coaching staff or McGee.
Nor was he targeting McGee's relationship with Sherman or Franchione, Leach said.
"There's been far more rhetoric around this than I ever would have expected," Leach said. "Under the best of circumstances, there is some variance in how people assess and discuss quarterbacks because everybody is looking for different things. ...
"But based on all the fuss and commotion on this, I can't help but wonder what round Coach Sherman would have drafted Stephen McGee, given the fact he was once a head coach in the NFL."
As for an apology?
"I'm not sorry for what I said," Leach said. "I'm sorry if they feel offended."
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