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Mike Leach, the head football coach at Mississippi State, passed away on Monday night due to complications from a heart condition, the university announced on Tuesday. He was sixty-one.
According to a statement released by the Leach family through the school, “Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father, and grandfather.”
At UMMC, he was able to take part in organ donation as a last charitable deed. The love and prayers that we have received from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans all over the world are encouraging and supportive. We appreciate you taking part in the happiness of our cherished father’s and husband’s lives.
“The life of Mike Leach touched thousands upon thousands of people through his coaching, leadership teaching, and insightful commentary,” Southeastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner Greg Sankey stated in a statement.
“Mike will be missed. Every discussion you had with Mike provoked thought. His depth, perspective, and sense of humor constantly forced us to reconsider our ways of thinking and to think in new ways. In addition to extending our condolences for his premature passing, we also support Mike’s wife, Sharon, their kids, and grandkids, as well as the Mississippi State community, his former and current players, and their coaching colleagues.
At Mississippi State, the two-time national coach of the year was in his third year of employment. This season, he guided the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record.
Leach spent 21 seasons (10 at Texas Tech, 8 at Washington State, and 3 at Mississippi State) and amassed an overall record of 158-107.
“Texas Tech Athletics joins the countless others across the game of football who mourn the passing of Mike Leach,” a statement from Texas Tech read.
“As one of the most creative offensive minds in college football history, Coach Leach will always be recognized.” His influence alone on Texas Tech football will go down in history as one of our program’s greatest runs.
In a similar vein, Washington State honored the man who “modified the football game.”
“We were fortunate to have Coach Leach lead the WSU football program for eight years,” said Pat Chun, director of athletics at WSU. Mike is going to be incredibly missed, cherished, and never forgotten.
