Mike Leach

Leach spent 35 total years as a coach in college football, starting back in 1987 with the Cal Poly Mustangs. He made 10 stops, including a two-year stint at ...

[CJ Blocker recommits to Utah following Kentucky visit - KSR](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/4-star-cb-cj-blocker-recommits-utah-following-kentucky-visit/) Leach was often described as quirky, kind, unique and a dear friend. [Jayden Johnson has “always wanted to play” for John Calipari - KSR](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/trinity-freshman-sg-jayden-johnson-always-wanted-play-john-calipari/) 4 seed in new ESPN Bracketology - KSR](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/kentucky-wildcats-a-no-4-seed-in-new-espn-bracketology/) Leach spent 35 total years as a coach in college football, starting back in 1987 with the Cal Poly Mustangs. He made 10 stops, including a two-year stint at Kentucky as the offensive coordinator for UK great and former No. [Mike Leach was one of a kind – take it from Bob Stoops - USA Today](https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaaf%2Fsec%2F2022%2F12%2F13%2Fmike-leach-mississippi-state-football-coach-bob-stoops%2F10887386002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2022%2F12%2F14%2F23508511%2Fuk-wildcats-news-mike-leach-edition) [Messi’s World Cup dream alive as Argentina advances to final - USA Today](https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcolumnist%2Fnancy-armour%2F2022%2F12%2F13%2Fargentina-croatia-world-cup-semifinal%2F10888523002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2022%2F12%2F14%2F23508511%2Fuk-wildcats-news-mike-leach-edition) [Clemson’s Myles Murphy: Skipping Orange Bowl, will enter draft - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35245782/clemson-myles-murphy-skipping-orange-bowl-enter-draft) [Tests confirm Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has torn ACL - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35245691/tests-confirm-cardinals-qb-kyler-murray-torn-acl) [Detroit tight end Khamari Anderson flips commitment to UK - Vaught’s Views](https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2022/12/13/detroit-tight-end-khamari-anderson-flips-commitment-to-uk/vaughts-views/larryvaught/) [Mississippi State](https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com) football head coach Mike Leach had passed away late Monday night after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.

Man, this one hurts. Thoughts and prayers to Leach's family and friends and the Mississippi State community during this difficult time. College Football won't ...

So, what can we expect?](https://www.rockmnation.com/rock-m-nation-podcasts/2022/12/13/23507782/following-a-rough-showing-from-mizzou-is-a-tough-slate-of-games-so-what-can-we-expect) Rickey finished [@Mizzou]as the 8th leading scorer (1,673), 5th in made threes (187), & our all-time leader in points scored in the NCAA tournament (145) in 8 games played. [https://t.co/P25ZoNFZEC] [#MIZ] [pic.twitter.com/acvBKNtopZ] [December 13, 2022] [https://t.co/jTyKsMDFxB] [pic.twitter.com/h7kxw6mehV] [December 13, 2022] Time to change the rule. Leach was a head coach for 21 seasons (10 at Texas Tech, 8 at Washington State, 3 at Mississippi State) and led his teams to bowl eligibility 18 times. [https://t.co/mPZvMiROkL] [December 13, 2022] I really admired his concepts and feel like he was one of the more influential offensive minds in all of football in the modern era. [https://t.co/wmmaMjdvgd] [December 13, 2022] [#SwingYourSword] [https://t.co/jshgtLmqGr] [December 13, 2022] College Football won’t be the same without him. [https://t.co/LzWyLyX3xM] [December 13, 2022]

Gruff, pioneering and unfiltered, Mike Leach was one of the most influential football coaches of this or any generation. His boundless curiosity and ...

“His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.” “He was a unique personality and independent thinker and a great friend. Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father’s life.” His boundless curiosity and fascination for people, places and things made him famous beyond the field, a unique character in sports. No one had a greater influence on my life other than my father.”

Mississippi State released an incredible video Tuesday night honoring Mike Leach. The Bulldogs coach died at the age of 61.

The video from MSU is a reminder of the hole that now exists. Now, at the age of 61, the football community has lost Leach far too soon. Yes, he was an outstanding football coach, but honestly, that wasn’t nearly the most interesting thing about Mike Leach.

“Coach Leach changed the game of football. His 'Air Raid' philosophy impacted the sport on the NFL, college and high school levels. His legacy in the sport of ...

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University is mourning the loss of former Blazer Football Assistant Coach Mike Leach.

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Leach absolutely should go in the College Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, though, the HOF has an arbitrary requirement for coaches that they hold a .600 ...

[Troy](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/troy-trojans-college-football/) vs. 25 [UTSA](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/utsa-roadrunners-college-football/). [Oklahoma](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/oklahoma-sooners-college-football/) vs. [Colorado](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/colorado-buffaloes-college-football/), in theory, seems pretty well protected. 13 [Florida State](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/florida-state-seminoles-college-football/). 7 [Clemson](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/) 31-30. [South Carolina](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/south-carolina-gamecocks-college-football/) vs. 21 [Notre Dame](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/). [Washington](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/washington-huskies-college-football/) vs. [Oregon](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/oregon-ducks-college-football/) vs. [North Carolina](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/north-carolina-tar-heels-college-football/). [Ole Miss](https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ole-miss-rebels-college-football/) the next season in which B.J.

Well-known American football coach Mike Leach passed away at the age of 61, Monday night. Know more about this legendary coach.

A major breakthrough came in his life when he became the head coach at Mississippi State University in 2020. Additionally, he was also survived by three grandchildren. Lionel "Leo" Messi has been named the first global brand ambassador of BYJU'S social impact arm, Education For All. [US News](/news/international/us), [UK News](/news/international/uk), [Canada News](/news/international/canada), International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) In 21 seasons, he racked up a 158–107 overall record, including 10 at He guided the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record this season.

The coaching community is in mourning following the sudden passing of Mississippi State University head coach Mike Leach on Monday. The man affectionately known ...

He carried the ball 316 times for 1,795 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns along with 202 catches for 1,748 yards and 14 touchdowns. When the “air raid” as Leach called it, worked, it was a thing of beauty. Until this past season, Leach didn’t care much to run the football, opting instead for short passes that got the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly. “He’s a guy who believed you could throw a corner route, no matter what the defence was that you were playing,” said new Riders’ offensive coordinator Kelly Jeffery. The man affectionately known as “The Pirate” died of heart complications, according to his family. The coaching community is in mourning following the sudden passing of Mississippi State University head coach Mike Leach on Monday.

Gruff, pioneering and unfiltered, Mississippi State's Mike Leach was one of the most influential football coaches of this or any generation.

Mumme also recalled spending hours with Leach in the car, driving to see recruits and learn as much about offense as they could. At Iowa Wesleyan, with Leach as offensive coordinator, it began to take hold and fundamentally change the way football was played. Leach moved to the SEC in 2020, taking over at Mississippi State. 2 in the country in 2008 with a team that went 11-2 and matched a school record for victories. In 1987, he broke into college coaching at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and spent a year coaching football in Finland, but it was at Iowa Wesleyan where he found his muse. In 2018, Washington State went 11-2, setting a school record for victories, and was ranked as high as No. In Starkville, under gray skies, the videoboard at Davis Wade Stadium showed an image of a smiling Leach and the message: "In loving memory." He went 84-43 with the Red Raiders, never having a losing season at the Big 12 school and reaching No. The school was protected by state law, but Leach never stopped trying to fight that case. "His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. That's the hard part," Leach told The AP about the Air Raid's economical playbook. "We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world.

Those who knew the late Mississippi State coach share tales of late nights, wildlife encounters and always-unpredictable conversations.

Leach raised the two cocktails in front of him, smiled and said, “Hey, I never said I was perfect!” And yet, despite shattering much of the faith’s beliefs, Leach was Mormon. And there was no possibility of saying “no” to the man. He must first ask for the specials, then ask the waiter for recommendations before quizzing every member of his party on what they planned to order. They then met Leach at a local bike shop before walking to his Key West home, where he and wife, Sharon, spent much of the offseason. “I never sat with him during the movie, but once it ended I would go sit next to him and we would watch the credits,” says David Wilczewski, who oversees football operations. And he was unafraid to belly up to the local dive bar. “He was not afraid,” says Cohen. “When he was going to bed, I was waking up,” Chun laughs. “That was the last time I ever rode with him as the driver.” Leach replied, “Never.” Eventually, under strong encouragement, he moved out and into a home a few miles from campus. During one of his walks, Leach tracked a raccoon through the snow.

Wayne Dolcefino and his attorneys have spent the last six years suing Texas Tech over public records on Leach's behalf. They hope to carry on.

“While we certainly expect to continue the pursuit of justice and truth, we are in the process of speaking with Coach Leach’s family and Mr. in a way, we may have gotten all we are going to get.” “As we all know, Coach Leach lived and led on his own terms, and we expect to continue to seek righteousness in his name and honor.” Bingham’s testimony followed a lengthy fight—including seven amended notices—by Dolcefino’s side to depose Ronny Wall, the university lawyer in charge of handling public records requests. “I know Mike was tired of the costs of trying to get the truth,” said Dolcefino. “If Mike could tell (us) what to do, he would say, ‘Keep fighting.’ But it is also a question of money and what the end game is. Dolcefino recalled Leach offering suggestions about what kinds of questions the attorneys should ask her. “It was a lot of money. Because Leach is not technically party to Dolcefino’s litigation, it can continue in spite of the coach’s death. However, Dolcefino acknowledges it falls to the coach’s widow, Sharon Leach, to decide if she will continue footing the mounting legal bills. In 2017, while at Washington State, Leach engaged Dolcefino, a former television reporter turned “investigative” media consultant, to file open-records requests for documents related to his firing. That player, Adam James, is the son of former ESPN college football analyst Craig James, who Leach would later unsuccessfully sue, along with ESPN, for defamation.

Of all the Mike Leach tributes this week, this would have been his favorite.

[Golf](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/walking-sound-bite-mike-leach-has-his-say-on-golf). [Area 51](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/storming-area-51-isnt-a-good-idea-says-mike-leach-guy-who-might-actually-be-an-alien). [Matrimony](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/mike-leach-wedding-advice-college-football). [Raccoon hunting](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/mike-leachs-raccoon-hunting-story-could-be-his-finest-hour-and-thats-saying-a-lot). Unfortunately, Leach sailed on to new waters on Tuesday, passing away following complications from a heart condition. In fact, Leach loved the seafaring swashbucklers so much that he became affectionately known as The Pirate.

The author of 'The Perfect Pass' and 'Empire of the Summer Moon' reflects on Mike Leach's coaching legacy.

Though Mumme and Leach ran their offense successfully for a decade, the big shift in American football toward the Air Raid style of offense didn’t start until 1997, when, at the University of Kentucky, the Wildcats began to put up huge passing numbers against the SEC’s lockdown defenses. Washington State led the nation in passing offense in four of his last six years there, and in that time it never finished lower than third. The Air Raid, as measured by the number of plays and formations, was simpler by far than anything else that was being done and easy for players to understand. In the years to come, while Leach coached at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State and Mumme pursued his own, separate career, Leach held to a remarkably pure form of the offense that he and Mumme had developed decades earlier. With no playbook and only a handful of plays, Leach’s team was able to practice each one many times; the opponents, with many plays, had only a few reps for each. That came from someone named Mike Leach, who at the time was coaching at College of the Desert, near Palm Springs, California, for less than $12,000 a year and planned to coach in Finland that summer, where players smoked cigarettes on the bench. [The Perfect Pass: American Genius and the Reinvention of Football](https://scgwynne.com/product/the-perfect-pass), whose purpose was to answer that question. When Leach beat number one Texas in the single greatest game in Tech history, he ran that single play—Four Verticals—on four of the last six downs of the game, including the game-winner to receiver Michael Crabtree with one second on the clock. [Texas Tech fired Leach](https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/head-case/) for what they saw as his mistreatment of a player and then his refusal to admit he was wrong. In eight of the nine years, his quarterbacks had led the nation in passing. Under Leach, the offense doubles its scoring and goes from 101st in the nation to 11th and from last to first in the Big 12. “There was a time,” Leach would say later, “when the two most wanted people in the state were me and Josh Heupel.” Stoops stands by his man.

Mike Leach endorsed and had a relationship with former President Donald Trump. Trump released a statement Wednesday regarding Leach's death.

Trump was in his corner, sending a letter telling university president Donna Shalala to replace Randy Shannon with Leach. He shared his admiration for Trump, saying the soon-to-be president never lacked confidence. Coach Mike Leach will be missed by us all." From actor [Matthew McConaughey](https://twitter.com/McConaughey/status/1602768100599832576) to players such as former NFL receiver Michael Crabtree, social media has featured an outpouring of love for Leach. Wednesday, Leach's supporters were reminded the coach's presence extended to the White House. "Mike Leach was an incredible Patriot and Coach, with a big heart for our Country and for Football," Trump said.

With the passing of the Mississippi State head coach, it's worth going back to 1996, to the time former Villanova coach Andy Talley wanted a new offensive ...

This must have been right around the time Leach, riding high at Texas Tech, was suspended and eventually left the school after the allegedly inappropriate treatment of a player. He was an offensive genius.” Walking down the street, Ferrante remembers saying to his wife, “I think that’s Mike Leach.” Later on, “right after 2009,” Ferrante said, he and his wife went to Key West on vacation. He also remembers how Clawson and Leach were part of the same group of offensive innovators invited to the one-back passing summer clinics held by then-Washington State head coach Mike Price in the 1990s. Maybe Drayton wouldn’t have been there to say, yes, he would put his job on the line for a recruit who was injured as a high school senior … Clawson had a big-time offensive mind of his own, and the decision, Talley said, really came down to recruiting. “He was ahead of his time. He won big as a first-time head coach at Fordham, and got Richmond — and later Bowling Green — on track. “We interviewed on the phone,” Talley said. “Even though he had a law degree. The coach was playing on a different field.

Mississippi State's head coach Mike Leach died on Monday night at 61. Now, the Bulldogs prepare for their bowl game without their leader.

[preparing](https://hailstate.com/sports/football/schedule/2022) for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. His “quirky” personality set him aside from many another head coaches and gave him a unique voice in the college football world. Prior to taking over as head coach in Starkville, Leach held the top-dog spots at Texas Tech and Washington State. The team started ranking in passing yards and changed the way the Big 12 approached football. [Mississippi](https://www.wruf.com/headlines/2022/11/17/mississippi-state-set-to-host-east-tennessee-state/) State’s Mike Leach died due to a heart condition that hospitalized him on Sunday. In the 2021 season, the Bulldogs were 7-6, losing in the Liberty Bowl to Leach’s former team, Texas Tech, 34-7.

Mississippi State University will host a public memorial service honoring the life of Mike Leach at 1 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, inside Humphrey ...

The accomplishments for Leach in his 21 years as a head coach were long and distinguished. For nearly four decades, Leach had an unmatched impact on the game of football including thousands of student-athletes, coaches and staff. Michael Charles "Mike" Leach passed away the night of Dec.

It takes a unique, football-crazy, overall-crazy, and dedicated individual to want to coach college football. Most aren't considered consistently great at ...

Leach’s time in the public eye had highs and lows, as one would expect for someone that marches to the beat of his own drum and truly, his own orchestra. As Leach died late Monday night at 61, the tributes for the longtime head coach have rolled in, and the difficult waters of a sitting Power Five Conference head coach passing away began. Most aren’t considered consistently great at the craft despite huge contracts and buyouts.

Mississippi State released details for Mike Leach's on-campus memorial service, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m..

More: [players ](https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2022/12/13/mississippi-state-football-players-react-to-death-of-coach-mike-leach/69724046007/)and [coaches ](https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2022/12/13/mike-leach-death-college-football-reacts/69724505007/)shared their emotions and reflected on stories of his impact on college football in the days following his death. MSU [ confirmed in a statement](https://hailstate.com/news/2022/12/14/football-mike-leach-public-memorial-to-be-held-dec-20-in-humphrey-coliseum.aspx) that the memorial service will be hosted inside Humphrey Coliseum on Tuesday, Dec.

Former President Donald Trump released a statement following the death of friend and supporter Mike Leach.

Trump was in his corner, sending a letter telling university president Donna Shalala to replace Randy Shannon with Leach. From actor [Matthew McConaughey](https://twitter.com/McConaughey/status/1602768100599832576) to players such as former NFL receiver Michael Crabtree, social media has featured an outpouring of love for Leach. He shared his admiration for Trump, saying the soon-to-be president never lacked confidence. Former President Donald Trump, who Leach endorsed ahead of the 2016 election, Coach Mike Leach will be missed by us all." [following his death](https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2022/12/13/mike-leach-death-update-mississippi-state-football-coach-heart-attack/69719742007/), the reach [Mississippi State](https://www.clarionledger.com/sports/mississippi-state/) football's [Mike Leach](https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2022/12/13/mike-leach-death-mississippi-state-football-starkville-jackie-sherrill/69722893007/) had is evident.

Mississippi State University will host a public memorial service honoring the life of Mike Leach at 1 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, inside Humphrey ...

The accomplishments for Leach in his 21 years as a head coach were long and distinguished. For nearly four decades, Leach had an unmatched impact on the game of football including thousands of student-athletes, coaches and staff. Michael Charles "Mike" Leach passed away the night of Dec.