Leach set to be deposed Friday in Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -Mike Leach is expected to return to Lubbock later this week to answer questions under oath from attorneys for Texas Tech handling the former football coach's lawsuit against the school.

Leach, who currently lives with his family in Key West, Fla., is set for oral and video depositions beginning Friday at the offices of his Lubbock attorney, Ted Liggett. The attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday and Leach did respond to an e-mail and a text message.

The university fired Leach on Dec. 30, two days after suspending him amid allegations that he mistreated a player who had a concussion. Adam James, the son of ESPN analyst and former NFL player Craig James, said his coach twice ordered him to stand for hours while confined in a dark place during practice.

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

A judge ordered the two sides to mediation. Court records indicate the two met at least once, but it's not clear whether more mediation sessions were planned.

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

On Monday, state district Judge William C. Sowder scheduled a March 26 hearing on a motion for a protective order from a Lubbock-area school district from which Leach's attorneys have subpoenaed documents. The attorneys want records from the Frenship school district relating to new Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville and his teenage sons.

“Students' records are confidential under federal law,” said David Backus, a Lubbock attorney representing the district.