The man who coined the phrase "You're Fired,'' on the popular TV show The Apprentice, wants the University of Miami to hire former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach as its next head football coach.
Billionaire businessman Donald Trump sent a note to Miami president Donna Shalala earlier this week, basically telling her she really should hire Leach to become the Hurricane's coach. According to reports out of the Miami area, Trump scribbled the note over a story about the firing of UM coach Randy Shannon in Sunday's edition of the Palm Beach Post.
The note from Trump to Shalala read: "You made a big mistake when you did not take my advice and hire Mike Leach of Texas Tech....And you can now get him for the right price.''
Asked Wednesday about the gesture by Trump, Leach said: "I appreciate that. That was nice of him.
"He's a real loyal guy, and first class in every way. I just really appreciate the support.'''
When Miami was searching for a coach after the 2006 season, Trump also supported Leach at that time. Thanks to Trumph, Miami did grant Leach an interview after the 2006 season, but the Hurricanes eventually hired Shannon.
According to the Palm Beach Post, some time after Tech upset No. 3-ranked Oklahoma, 34-27, on Nov. 11, 2007 during Shannon's first season at Miami, Trump sent a letter to Shalala that read: "You are my friend, but you should have listened to me. If you did, your team would be fighting for the National Championship.''
Shalala told the paper: "I got the letter and I laughed.''
Leach, who is currently involved in a lawsuit against Tech, coached the Red Raiders from 2000 until he was fired last Dec. 30. He is the winningest coach at Tech with an 84-43 record, and took the Red Raiders to a bowl game in all 10 seasons he was coaching in Lubbock.
-- Dwain Price
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