Mississippi State football coach

2022 - 12 - 13

Post cover — Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach dies at 61 (CBS News)

Leach died on Monday from complications of a heart condition, the university said in a statement.

"Truly one of the most innovative minds in football, he was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a friend and one of the most special people I've ever met. His second book, "Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior," was published in 2014. Born on March 9, 1961, in Susanville, California, Leach was raised in Cody, Wyoming, as the oldest of six siblings. "I am heartbroken on the passing of Coach Leach," Heupel wrote. Prior to joining the staff at Mississippi State, Leach served as head football coach at Texas Tech and Washington State University. After his hospitalization over the weekend, the university announced that its defensive coordinator, Zach Arnett, would replace Leach as head coach in an interim role until his return. "Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father's life." "Mike's family is with him and appreciates the overwhelming expressions of love and support for the coach, but also requests that their family's privacy be respected at this time," the university said on Monday afternoon. [tweet](https://twitter.com/OU_CoachB/status/1602670376936423425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1602670376936423425%7Ctwgr%5E3c7ff7388237c5c02e5af3c1721cacc155a61436%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fcollege-football%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F35244174%2Fsports-world-reacts-death-mike-leach), writing, "Devastated and heartbroken that my coach, Mike Leach, is gone. Coach was one of a kind and had a lasting impact on my life and career. In remarks shared with Mississippi State, Leach's family paid tribute to him as a husband, father and grandfather, as well as his career and rise to prominence within the college sports arena.

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach dies after hospitalization (ESPN)

Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach died Monday night after complications related to a heart condition, the school announced. He was 61.

"His impact on Texas Tech Football alone will live on in history as one of the greatest tenures in the history of our program. He sued the university for wrongful termination, and he lost a bid for monetary damages because of a legal technicality but has continued to battle to get records pertaining to his dismissal. Nicknamed the "Pirate," Leach had an affinity for pirates and even had a life-sized statue of a singing pirate in his office when he was at Washington State. He graduated in the upper 25% of his class with a law degree from Pepperdine University and co-authored a book on Geronimo and the Apache leader's approach to leadership. "I am heartbroken on the passing of Coach Leach," said Heupel, who is now the head coach at Tennessee. "When you say, 'Air Raid,' he was the guy who came up with the name," Mumme told ESPN in a recent interview. Mumme, the creator of the Air Raid offense that made Leach a superstar in coaching, said Leach deserved a lot of credit for turning the scheme into a brand name. Never one to shy away from opining on any subject, Leach once quipped, "I miss streakers," after a fan ran onto the field and dropped his pants following a touchdown in Washington State's 24-21 win over Stanford in 2017. He was a mentor, a friend and one of the most special people I've ever met." "Truly one of the most innovative offensive minds in football, he was more than a coach. The thoughts and prayers of Mississippi State University and the entire Bulldog family are with his wife Sharon, his children and the entire Leach family." "Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father's life."

MSU Bulldog family, college football community mourns the death of ... (Mississippi State Athletics)

Mississippi State University Head Football Coach Michael Charles "Mike" Leach passed away last night (Monday, Dec. 12) at the University of Mississippi ...

Leach's offense led the SEC passing in each of the last two seasons. He directed a Sooner offense that went from one of the worst in the Big 12 Conference to one of the best. WSU capped the season with a win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl and finished No. He led the Bulldogs to a 19-17 record, including an 8-4 mark in 2022, and bowl appearances in all three seasons. The 2018 campaign saw Leach produce one of the finest coaching performances as WSU posted its first 11-win season in school history and a share of the Pac-12 North Division. They also led the nation in passing offense in four out of his last six seasons in charge. One of the most successful coaches in the history of college football, Leach's 158 career wins as an FBS coach are the second-most among active SEC coaches and the fifth-most among active Power 5 coaches. The accomplishments for Leach in his 21 years as a head coach were long and distinguished. A masterful storyteller, Leach authored a New York Times best-selling autobiography in 2011 titled Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and in Life Of the 50 most productive passing yardage seasons in FBS history, 10 came from quarterbacks coached by Leach since his hiring as head coach at Texas Tech in 2000. For nearly four decades, Leach had an unmatched impact on the game of football including thousands of student-athletes, coaches and staff. In a statement, the Leach family said: "Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather.

Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach has died at 61 ... (CNN)

Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach died Monday night from heart condition complications, the university announced on Tuesday. He was 61.

“Coach Leach will be forever remembered as one of the most innovative offensive minds in college football history. 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. He led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record this season. His humor, depth and point of view continually challenged all of us to think differently and reevaluate our perspectives … We mourn his untimely passing as we offer our support to Mike’s wife, Sharon, their children and grandchildren, along with his current and former players, coaching colleagues and the Mississippi State community.” “He was able to participate in organ donation at UMMC as a final act of charity.

Mississippi State football coach