Texas Tech Sued

Texas Tech lineman Stephen Gaines, who played for the Red Raiders in the 1990, 1992 and 1993 seasons, sued the school, two coaches and a former counselor Tuesday on numerous counts, including racketeering, fraud, forgery and negligence.

Gaines claimed Texas Tech coaches used his playing ability, then discarded him once he lost his senior season to academic ineligibility.

The lawsuit did not detail specific damages, although it said they are “believed to be in excess” of $1.25 million, plus court costs and possible punitive damages.

Gaines played five games in his freshman season in 1990, then was sidelined a year by academic problems. The lawsuit alleges that Tech coaches circumvented NCAA rules while getting him reinstated.

Over the past year, Gaines has been the focus of several Houston Chronicle stories in which he accused Tech and its coaches of forging documents, providing him with test answers and arranging for classes to ease his way through school.