Ryan Leaf is a Coach « The Extrapolater

Ryan Leaf is a Coach

June 20, 2007 by Extra P.

You see how I did that? I resisted the urge. The urge to put the word coach in quotes or italics. The urge to follow it with exclamation points or question marks. And I’ll tell you why.

Because I think it’s cheap to do a hatchet job on Ryan Leaf.

Was he a jerk at Washington State, and a blowhard in the NFL? Yes. But that was a long time ago. He never shot up a strip club, raped anyone, or got arrested as far as I can remember. So his biggest crime was being immature, which quite a few of us can cop to being in our early 20’s, if we’re honest. And most of you grew out of it. The rest of us became bloggers.

So I was happy to read that Ryan Leaf has a job as a coach at West Texas A&M University. He is currently the Quarterbacks coach for the Division 2 Buffaloes, located in Canyon, TX, near Amarillo. He even runs his own passing camp. He took the job after returning to WSU and earning his degree in 2005. These are all good things, and speak well of the human capacity for redemption.

So I’m above making fun of Ryan Leaf. I really am. But I am not above having a little bit of fun with his school in the middle of nowhere (really, not all that different from Washington State in that regard), under the guise of a fascinating small-school profile.

Things you might not have known about West Texas A&M University:

The Buffs are ranked #19 in Lindy’s preseason rankings, below national powerhouses like Newberry, North Dakota, and Bemidji State.
WTAMU offers one doctoral program in…. wait for it…. Agriculture.
Leaf is also the head coach of the Golf team, where he may be grooming the next John Daly.
A family of four can go to a WT soccer game (men’s or women’s) for the family pass price of $40. Wait… they charge for Division II soccer?
WTAMU hosts the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, where tourists can gaze upon interactive exhibits like the Shamrock Gas sign pictured at right.
The University is a part of the Texas A&M system, and yet at sporting events, students are encouraged to form a pair of “buffalo horns” by folding down their middle three fingers and extending the thumb and pinky. But isn’t that kind of like what they do at…. (gulp).
With a student body numbering over 7,000, the University is more than 50% of the population of Canyon, which is listed at roughly 13,000.

OK, enough hilarity. I am certainly in favor of higher education in all of its forms, and will be rooting hard for the Buffaloes if I ever think about them again in my lifetime.

Go, Buffs! Hook ‘em! Yee-HAW!

If any WTAMU alumni are reading this and want to set me straight, please visit my college traditions website College Rule Notebook, and fill out a survey or write up a feature article about your school. I’ll be happy to eat my words.

Posted in NFL Football, Sports/Real Life | 26 Comments

26 Responses to “Ryan Leaf is a Coach”

on June 20, 2007 at 7:16 pm1 Brock Landers

Let’s hope he can resurrect his tampered image as one of the biggest busts of all time.
on June 21, 2007 at 2:07 pm2 Chris

I can’t believe they use any variation on Hook ‘Em.
on June 21, 2007 at 2:21 pm3 Extra P.

I think many of the small members of the Texas A&M system were probably formerly independent schools, and therefore have no natural rivalry with UT. But now that they’ve “joined up”, so to speak, it does come off a bit funny.
on June 21, 2007 at 9:49 pm4 abarclay12

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
on August 19, 2007 at 12:30 am5 J R Guy

God Bless him.
Bet he will do well.
on August 31, 2007 at 6:21 am6 bob

I cant belive anyone would even let him touch a football agian i mean the guy is the funniest thing to happen to football ever
on August 31, 2007 at 5:20 pm7 Extra P.

Yeah, he just edges Todd Marinovich, but Todd is still a fuckup, whereas Leaf seems to be growing up. I mean, I hope so - just because he was a flaming asshole who got what he deserved in his pro career doesn’t mean he has to be that way forever.
on September 15, 2007 at 7:05 pm8 Clark

eric angevine, the author, is a true jackass! Alot of mouth and a girly girl!!!
on September 25, 2007 at 3:32 pm9 Brandon

I’m an admitted Chicago Bears fan, with everything they are going through this year and all the talk about Rex and Ryan being to simular in their stats i has to see what Ryan was doing no. I have to say I am surprised he is a coach. When I think of a coach I want someone that is going to mentor, lead by example. Ryan has not demonstated this yet. He has given an excellent example of what not to do. He is hated by his one time fans, his employers, and anybody that truely loves the game of football. I hope for his sake he understands it is no longer about him. That being said I guess when West Texas A&M start looking for an offensive coordinator, Rex will I’m sure be looking for employment as well.
on October 26, 2007 at 9:20 am10 S Rowley

I love Ryan Leaf. I spent 3500 dollars to fly to CA to the Rose Bowl and watch the WSU Cougars come within 26 seconds of beating the national champs. Ryan was a leader then and took out program where it had never been and has strugglede to get back to ever since. Gesser was good at WSU but Ryan willed us to wins and elevated the play of all of the team. Cougs in Washington state and all over love him and always will. Go Ryan…I hope PRive hires you to coach at UTEP soon they have a great young freshman QB.
on November 4, 2007 at 9:49 am11 Michelle

Hey Ryan Leaf was an asshole but the kid grew up and at least he can say that. Plus there is going to be a movie about him! How many people can say that?
on November 5, 2007 at 8:22 pm12 Extra P.

I absolutely applaud the man for getting past his immaturity and finding a way to contribute.
on November 17, 2007 at 5:03 am13 kova

Considering WT joined the Texas A&M System eighty years after its opening and about 75 years after choosing the buffalo as their mascot, it’s save to say the horns is different. And I thought UT had the pointer finger in their horns. Surprisingly, most WT students and fans dislike the Aggies and prefer the local Texas Tech Red Raiders or the Longhorns in Austin. I’ve heard good things from those who in contact with him today.
on November 17, 2007 at 1:09 pm14 Extra P

I really hope that’s the case - people can grow up, and for him to do that is more inspiring to me than if he had become a pro-bowl QB.
on February 5, 2008 at 10:19 pm15 Jim

WTAMU finished 4th in the D2Football.com’s Media Top 25 Poll and 8th in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll at the end of 2007.

He must be doing something right as his QB had the 12th best QB rating in the nation for Division II. Not to mention WTAMU had the leading passing offense in the nation!

So please do not bash him, and especially do not bash the school before doing proper research. Yes they are a DII school, but are very successful in what they do, not just agriculture. Their Broadcasting department is a nationally recognized and award winning chapter. They compete against Division I schools and still bring home the most awards year after year.
on February 10, 2008 at 5:40 pm16 JBall

OK guys, post season is over, it’s time to remember your wife or girlfriend. Maybe you better make up for ignoring her for most of January. How about a Valentines gift from 1-800-Flowers.com (http://www.1800flowers.com)
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