I'm not offering a morality judgement on the situation here, I'm simply saying that no state institution is paying anyone that they fire for cause except in the most extreme of circumstances. That's just how shit works in this state. I don't agree with the concept of sovereign immunity, but it's what we have.
I also don't necessarily disagree with that the Tech higher ups handled the firing of Leach very poorly. I think if it happened today, none of it would have happened the way it did. The university President at the time despised Leach, was looking for any reason to fire him, and pressured the AD and Kent Hance to go through with it, using the testimony of the James kid.
I did think at the time it was very telling, or at least interesting, that Adam James remained on the team and was seemingly supported by the current players, but not necessarily all of the other coaches.