Washington State FB Coach Leach Accuses Local Police of Profiling His Players

Washington State football coach Mike Leach believes that local police have been profiling his football players.

The Spokane, WA based newspaper the Spokesman-Review shared a video in which Leach vigorously defended three players who have been arrested for or been suspected of various crimes by Pullman, WA police. Washington State linebacker Logan Tago was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault. Safety Shalom Luani was arrested for assault. And a third unnamed player is under suspicion for assault in connection with a fight at a house party over the summer.

Leach accused the police of targeting the players.

“How in the world can only football parties be guilty in events depicted like this?” Leach said. “It is irresponsible to this town, this community and everybody to have some kind of a double standard where we only focus on one demographic, one group of people and then drag their name through the newspaper with a bunch of irresponsible comments.”

On Wednesday, Washington State’s athletic director, Bill Moos, told the Spokesman-Review that Leach’s comments were not baseless.

“I think (Leach) said what he felt and is protecting his players. I’m fine with that,” Moos said. “I think there is merit to a lot of what he said.”

Pullman chief of police Gary Jenkins defended his department’s conduct.

“I don’t take (the comments) personally…I just want to make it clear that my staff hasn’t done anything wrong in any way,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins is set to meet with Moos and Washington State University president Kirk Schulz on Thursday.

[h/t Sports Illustrated]

[image via screengrab]

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