Head football coach Mike Leach of Texas Tech was fired for breach of contract. He had recently signed a $12.7 million contract for five years, and he had been named by the Associated Press as the Big XII Coach of the Year in 2008. However, that didn't stop Texas Tech from firing him, citing breach of performance as the reason for the termination. Under the terms of his contract, he was to "assure the fair and responsible treatment of student-athletes in relation to their health, welfare, and discipline." Allegedly, Coach Leach forced a student athlete to stand in a shed after the athlete was diagnosed with a mild concussion. Leach's supporters argue that the "shed" was a comfortable garage-like room with a cooler and a fan and that Coach Leach was simply having the player stand inside, out of the sun, in accordance with medical orders. Others argue that this was a sadistic punishment that was inappropriately levied against an injured player.

Underlying this controversy are allegations that the firing occurred because Leach interviewed with another university unbeknownst to Texas Tech and because he has a colorful personality that might offend some people. For instance, he allegedly blamed his players' "fat little girlfriends" for distracting them to their defeat against Texas A&M. Coach Leach was fired just before receiving an alleged $800,000 contractual bonus.

What additional information would you need to determine whether Coach Leach's services fell below substantial performance and were a material breach or whether he substantially performed his contract so that he did not materially breach it? Was Leach being cruel, or was he being protective of his charge in accordance with his contract terms? Should coaching services be evaluated based on substantial performance or personal satisfaction? Why?