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College Football Notebook: Coach fined $10,000 for harsh criticism of referees
Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach was fined a record $10,000 by the Big 12 Conference for his harsh criticism of game officials after last week's loss to Texas.

The fine doubled the previous high by the league, levied twice before, against Kansas coach Mark Mangino three years ago and former Kansas State basketball coach Jim Wooldridge during the 2005-06 season.

"Made my feelings known already, so I don't have a reaction," Leach told The Associated Press after practice yesterday."

Leach was reprimanded and put on notice that "any future such behavior will result in a more serious penalty, including a possible suspension," the conference said in a news release.

After No. 12 Texas beat Texas Tech, 59-43, Saturday, Leach condemned the officiating crew in Austin, calling their work "a complete travesty."

The eighth-year coach was upset officials disallowed two Texas Tech touchdowns in the third quarter, the first on an overrule after reviewing video that clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. A touchdown pass on the next play was negated by a holding penalty.

"Coach Leach's public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the conference's officiating program," Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said.

On Saturday, Leach noted without naming him that referee Randy Christly lives in Austin.

He said the conference needs "to take a serious look" at having officials from other conferences call the Texas Tech-Texas games as well as others involving matchups where he claimed there is proven to be a bias by officials.

Oregon State

Athletic director Bob De Carolis called for the on-field officials in the Beavers' 29-23 win Saturday against Washington to be disciplined, and for the replay officials to face a stiffer sanction.

"If something more doesn't happen then the credibility of the conference is out the window," De Carolis said.

Four players -- three from Oregon State -- were ejected in the ugly game that featured several personal foul penalties and near fights. De Carolis also was upset that no replay was called when tailback Yvenson Bernard stretched for a touchdown and dropped the football. Bernard appeared to have been down but Washington's Roy Lewis ran the ball back to the Beavers' 38, setting up Washington for the potential winning score.

Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen acknowledged Monday a replay should have occurred.

Division III

Carnegie Mellon and Waynesburg received bids to play in ECAC Division III bowl games Saturday. Carnegie Mellon (6-4) will play host to Gettysburg (6-4) in the Southwest Bowl at 2 p.m. at Gesling Stadium. Waynesburg (8-2) will play at Dickinson (8-2) in the Southeast Bowl at noon.

First published on November 14, 2007 at 12:00 am