Turns out it was Mike Leach who was aboard Alaska Flight 601 from Las Vegas to Seattle on Monday. A passenger aboard the flight alerted Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times that he spotted Leach on the flight and Condotta and Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal have since confirmed that Leach talked with Washington officials.

Is Leach, 47, considering leaving Texas Tech, or is he using the Washington opening as leverage for a fat contract? He told the Associated Press on Monday that he "absolutely" wants to stay at Tech.

"I mean it's an interesting question," he said. "I've been there nine years, which is longer than most marriages or jobs, you know."

Leach has two years left on his deal, but Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said he's preparing to offer the coach a raise and an extension. The new offer could be completed this week.

Also sneaking into Seattle during the Thanksgiving holiday was USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who declined comment when asked about the trip by Scott Wolf of the L.A. Daily News. Fresno State's Pat Hill acknowledged he spent part of last weekend in Seattle interviewing for the job.