this issue is more about a) an issue between Gerald Myers and Mike Leach and b) fear that ESPN will ruin the TT image because of the Craig James connection. TT has established in the past that they are okay with "questionable" or "aggressive" player treatment by coaches when they hired Bob Knight - the poster child for aggressive handling of players. This has nothing to do with the mistreatment of poor little Adam James - it's just a means to an end for Myers.
Here's an old article where Myers came quickly to the rescue of Knight.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/15708145/
Now, I'm not trying to get a shot in at Bob Knight. I like the guy and think he was one of the great collegiate coaches of all-time. But, how can an AD let all of Knight's **** slide and the FIRST TIME (to my knowledge, feel free to correct) that Leach does something questionable to a player, he fires his ***.
This doesn't pass the smell test. There has to be more to the firing than this incident. Leach is getting screwed over or there's more information being withheld - which I doubt since so many people are publicly defending Leach and questioning the character of Craig James.
There were probably better CYA options of handling a dipshit like Craig James. It's certainly questionable or unorthodox punishment. But, unless James was being physically abused or restrained against his free will, there's no way TTech can justify the firing in my opinion.. Reprimand or fine him, that's fine. But, firing is taking it way too far.