Mike Leach accuses Craig James of meddling

Fired Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said the father of the player he was accused of mistreating after a concussion meddled more than any parent he has ever come across.

Leach also denied he mistreated Adam James when he spoke Friday to the Associated Press about his firing.

Dismissed Wednesday, two days after being suspended by Texas Tech, Leach said it was indisputable that James’ father, ESPN analyst and former NFL player Craig James, lobbied frequently to get his son more playing time.

Leach said Craig James meddled “more than any parent I’ve dealt with my entire career.”

“I can understand a father being a fan of his son, rooting for his son, supporting his son. But at some point coaches have to be allowed to coach. At some point the wisdom of all the people watching the film, going to all the practices has to be respected.”

Leach added: “Just because you have influence, power and a microphone in front of you doesn’t mean that your son should have any more right to play than the other guys.”

When asked about claims that he meddled, Craig James called them “absurd,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said.

Boise State Coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a five-year contract that will keep him at the school through 2014.

Boise State did not disclose financial terms of Petersen’s new contract, announced at Fiesta Bowl media day, and Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier said details were being completed. The deal must be approved by the state board of education.

Petersen is 48-4 in four seasons at Boise State and has led the sixth-ranked Broncos (13-0) to the Fiesta Bowl twice. They meet No. 3 Texas Christian on Monday night in Glendale, Ariz.

USC safety Taylor Mays, tight end Anthony McCoy and offensive tackle Charles Brown have accepted invitations to participate in the Senior Bowl, game organizers announced.

The game will be played Jan. 30 in Mobile, Ala.

-- Gary Klein COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Four Tennessee players in trouble

Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl indefinitely suspended four players, including starting senior forward Tyler Smith, who were charged with gun possession and other counts after a traffic stop.

The Knoxville Police Department said Smith, 23, junior point guard Melvin Goins, 22, junior center Brian Williams, 22, and sophomore guard Cameron Tatum, 21, were arrested during a traffic stop for speeding near Tennessee’s campus.

According to a police report, officers smelled marijuana coming from the car and found a handgun with an altered serial number, a bag of marijuana and an open container of alcohol. Tatum was driving.

South Carolina Coach Darrin Horn has dismissed forward Mike Holmes from the Gamecocks for repeatedly violating team rules.

ETC.

Trail Blazers lose guard Steve Blake

The injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers lost another player when guard Steve Blake was hospitalized because of pneumonia.

The team said Blake was expected to remain in the hospital for several days.

American snowboarder Kevin Pearce was in critical condition at a Utah hospital after suffering a head injury Thursday while training in Park City, his publicist said.

Rafael Nadal won and Roger Federer lost in the semifinals of the season-opening Capitala exhibition tournament at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Nadal beat David Ferrer, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, to secure a place in the final against Robin Soderling, who earlier dispatched the top-ranked Federer, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-1), 6-2.