(But why they're going to struggle for a bit after hiring him)
Apparently, the Mike Leach/Maryland courtship is progressing well. This is good news if you're a Terp fan. Because Maryland and Texas Tech have a lot in common.
1. Prior to Leach, both teams played somewhere around .500 ball. Ralph Freigan was a successful (and popular) coach, as was Spike Dykes.
2. Both teams, recently (prior to Leach) found themselves in conferences where they have trouble competing against the big dogs. For Tech it was aTm, OU and UT-Austin, for Maryland it's VaTech, Miami and Fl State.
3. Both teams can get second tear athletes, but have difficulty consistently getting top tier athletes. Leach has shown the ability to excel with the 2nd tier, and he can coach them up (on offense) to the 1st tier.
4. The ACC can be had right now. As could the Big XII as they weakened over time.
All that said, expect Maryland to suffer for a couple of years. Why?
The curse of firing a coach on the heels of an 8-win season.
Don't worry though Terps fans. Fear the turtle will be very real in about three years. It will just be lean for the next two.
