Mississippi State Coach and Air Raid Enthusiast Mike Leach Dies at 61 Years Old

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Dr. House's picture

Hoist the colors high

RIP Pirate Captain

HS
SilverHaven's picture

And swing your swords.

Such a very unusual coach.
Raised in Wyoming as a Mormon.
Did not play college football.
But studied film with passing legend LaVell Edwards.
Graduated from US Sports Academy in Alabama and Pepperdine Law in Malibu, California.
Developed the Air Raid offense at of all places:
College of the Desert, Iowa Wesleyan, Valdosta State and Pori in Finland.
As commonly known,
he was offensive coordinator at Kentucky and Oklahoma
and head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State.
But also an expert
on Pirates, esp Blackbeard and Calico Jack, and
on Apache Geronimo, pioneer Daniel Boone and artist Jackson Pollock, and
on wildlife, esp grizzlies, chimps and whales, and
like Woody Hayes taught classes on warfare.

But he's most noted for his deadpan humor.
Here's a link to his latest from this October after defeating Texas A&M, on of all subjects eloping:
Enjoy the wit and wisdom

https://m.facebook.com/SECNetwork/videos/leach-gives-out-wedding-advice-...

Ua Mau ke Ea o ka 'Aina I ka Pono. The life of the land is preserved in righteousness. (Hawai'i state motto) Aloha nui kakou.

HS
ISURVIVEDCOOPER's picture

RIP Mike - thank you for being non-cookie cutter in a copycat sport. Your big personality will be dearly missed as well as your mind. Prayers and thoughts for peace to your family during this difficult time. A true legend!

"I don't apologize for anything.  When I make a mistake, I take the blame and go on from there." - Woody Hayes

HS
Earle's picture

The college football world is now a much less interesting place.  You will be missed, Coach.

Beat Michigan

HS
buckeyeEddie27's picture

You just never know. RIP Coach.

I know there's a game Saturday, and my ass will be there.

I Believe In Ohio State.

HS
Baroclinicity's picture

He put Texas Tech football on the map when he landed that head coaching job. They were a consistent winner with him at coach, and I'm sure coaches lost more sleep than usual the week of trying to prepare for them.

Priority #1:  Beat Michigan

HS
Ortonhallalumni's picture

so sad..Coach Leach was so much more than a football coach...loved his ability to speak on many subjects and never shy with an opinion...a breath of fresh air..

HS
CowCat's picture

This sucks.   Coach Leach was a big part of the wonderful weirdness of college football.  RIP.

"We get paid to score touchdowns, not kick field goals"
-- Urban Meyer

HS
BobnTX's picture

Mike Leach was such a breath of fresh air in a sport of conformity and tradition. Free spirited and not afraid to speak his mind, he backed up talk with creative ideas and revolutionary results.

Condolences to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

61 is too young.

BobnTX

HS
Kurt's picture

This is such a sudden and immeasurable loss that is difficult to begin to comprehend.  Everyone loves his musings and ramblings about topics ranging from Bigfoot to relationship advice.  But his impact on the game of football is nothing short of titanic.  His coaching tree is among the most prolific I'm familiar with and I think it could be argued that he's been one of the two or three most influential innovators of the past 25 years - both college and pro.  He'll be remembered for a long time.  I'm so saddened by his passing.  Rest in peace, coach.

HS
EnonBuck79's picture

RIP Coach Leach. Probably the funniest coach to really listen to. The sport and world will miss him .

As always CJK5H.

HS
buckeyeinWI's picture

RIP in coach! The (football) world will miss your candor...

GO BUCKEYES!

1-2 sucks!

HS