The college football world is mourning the loss of one of the most charismatic and energetic figures in its history, Mississippi State Head Coach Mike Leach.
Leach had a massive heart attack yesterday, December 12, and this morning, December 13, Coach Leach’s death was announced.
Leach began his head coaching career back in 2000 when Texas Tech hired him, where he spent ten seasons as the man in charge of the Red Raiders. He was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2008 after leading Texas Tech to a Big 12 South Division title.
Leach’s second stop in his head coaching career was at Washington State, where he coached eight seasons of Cougars football. Leach is very known for the turnaround he made happen while at Washington State. In his first season with the team, they won just three games, and just three seasons later, the Cougars season win total jumped to nine.
Leach’s best season in Washington came in 2018 when he led the team to their best season in program history, finishing the season with an 11-2 record.
Leach would then coach for three seasons at Mississippi State, where the team improved their win total in each season of Leach’s tenure, with their best season under Leach coming this season, in which they finished the regular season with an 8-4 record.
Mississippi State interim athletic director Bracky Brett has announced that the football team will participate in their bowl game even with Leach passing away. The Bulldogs are set to play for their coach on January 2 as they take on Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Besides being a successful coach, Leach was always known for his funny and happy personality that touched the hearts of college football fans across the country.
Vintage Mike Leach… pic.twitter.com/tp34GojHy2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2022
With that said, we want to send our thoughts and prayers to Coach Leach, his loved ones, and the Mississippi State community.
