Todd Graham has strong words for Mike Leach in postgame handshake
Oct 22, 2016, 10:37 PM | Updated: 11:27 pm
Arizona State head coach Todd Graham did not hold back when shaking hands with Washington State head coach Mike Leach following ASU’s 37-32 loss to the Cougars.
During the handshake, television cameras and microphones picked up what was said, and Graham tells Leach his comments regarding sign-stealing earlier in the week were, “chicken—-.” In the quick interaction, Graham goes on to say that he’s “always respected (Leach), but that’s bull—-.”
Meeting at midfield after the game between Todd Graham & Mike Leach wasn't exactly friendly. No surprise. pic.twitter.com/hD2VArIp9l
— Tyler Bassett (@Tyler_Bassett) October 23, 2016
Graham and Leach didn’t appear to speak before the game during warmups, watching their respective teams from five yards away.
When asked about the conversation after the game, Graham declined to make a comment.
“Well I think that’s between me and him, this game is just about the players, not about, you know, that,” Graham said after the game.
Leach was fined $10,000 by the Pac-12 conference for accusing Arizona State’s football program of stealing offensive play call signs Monday.
“Well, I think they still steal signs and we’ll have to keep an eye on that. That’s certainly the reputation,” Leach said then. “I think they have a certain amount of technology and expertise on the subject. If they ever go to a different conference or something, I’d certainly like them to share it with us.”
The WSU coach said ASU had “a whole command center” designed around stealing signs.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumors of, you know, microphones to pick up extra sound, to sift and sort extra sound — perhaps what the quarterback’s saying — closeup cameras, stuff like that,” Leach added. “I don’t know if they shoot coaches (using signals) on the sideline — some teams will — which this is totally illegal and I’m not saying they do or they don’t.”
He would not comment on ASU’s strategy after the game.
Leach's answer to everything re. ASU's strategy was "I respectfully decline on grounds that I might be publicly reprimanded and fined"
— Stefanie Loh (@StefanieLoh) October 23, 2016
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