Texas Tech coach fined for comments

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach was fined $10,000 and publicly reprimanded by the Big 12 Conference for comments he made after the Red Raiders lost to Texas.

After the 59-43 defeat at No. 11 Texas, Leach was critical of the officiating crew and on Monday he said he stood by his comments from Saturday.

The Dallas Morning News reported that calls and penalties in the third quarter of the game upset Leach. He also complained that one official at the game is an Austin, Texas, resident.

The Big 12 on Tuesday announced the disciplinary action and warned he could face stiffer penalties if he has further incidents.

"Coach Leach's public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the Conference's officiating program," Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe said in a statement. "Accordingly the seriousness of this violation warrants a public reprimand and the largest fine issued to date by the conference."