Mike Leach, the eccentric longtime school soccer coach who was guiding the Mississippi State Bulldogs, has died. He was sixty one.
the varsity introduced his demise on Tuesday.
“Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather,” Leach’s household mentioned in a press launch. “He was ready to take part in organ donation at UMMC as a closing act of charity. we’re supported and uplifted by the outpouring of affection and prayers from household, mates, Mississippi State college, the hospital workers, and soccer followers throughout the globe. thanks for sharing inside the enjoyment of our beloved husband and father’s life.”
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Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach appears to be like for his gamers following an NCAA school soccer sport in opposition to Bowling inexperienced in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mississippi State obtained forty five-14.
(AP picture/Rogelio V. Solis)
the varsity mentioned Leach died following issues from a coronary heart situation.
“Coach Mike Leach regular an great shadow not simply over Mississippi State college, however over your complete school soccer panorama,” school president Mark E. Keenum mentioned in a press launch. “His revolutionary ‘Air Raid’ offense modified the sport. Mike’s eager mind and unvarnished candor made him thought-about one of many nation’s true teaching legends. His passing brings good disappointment to our college, to the Southeastern convention, and to all who cherished school soccer. i am going to overlook Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his broad-open strategy to pursuing excellence in all issues.”
Keenum added, “Mike’s demise additionally underscores the fragility and uncertainty of our lives. Three weeks in the past, Mike and that i have been collectively inside the locker room celebrating a strong-fought victory in Oxford. Mike Leach truly embraced life and lived in such a style as to depart no regrets. that is a worthy legacy. might God bless the Leach household all through as of late and hours. The prayers of the Bulldog household go together with them.”
Leach acquired his collegiate head-teaching start at Texas Tech college in 2000 after serving as an assistant underneath Bob Stoops at Oklahoma inside the late Nineteen Nineties. He was additionally an assistant underneath Hal Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan college and moved to Valdosta State and later Kentucky. He additionally hung out inside the American soccer affiliation of Finland as a head coach.
Mike Leach the pinnacle coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in opposition to the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger subject on Oct. 15, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky.
(Andy Lyons/Getty pictures)
He launched that knowledge to the purple Raiders, the place he developed a quantity of quarterbacks into gunslingers – Kliff Kingsbury and Graham Harrell to name simply a few. He was eighty 4-forty three with Texas Tech and 5-4 in bowl video games.
Three years later, Leach took the Washington State job and launched the Cougars to prominence. as quickly as extra, he would put collectively an offense that noticed Gardner Minshew and Anthony Gordon rack up greater than 4,000 passing yards of their respective seasons.
He spent eight years at Washington State and led them to an eleven-win season in 2018. He was fifty five-forty seven with the Cougars and a pair of-4 in bowl video games.
In 2020, Leach moved to Mississippi State and an SEC that was already loaded with the sport’s prime coaches. He was 4-7 inside the COVID-impacted season however salvaged the 12 months with a win inside the Armed Forces Bowl.
He would go 7-6 in 2021 and eight-4 in 2022. He was making ready for the ReliaQuest Bowl when the varsity introduced his well being situation.
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach earlier than the sport in opposition to the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on Nov. 5, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi.
(Justin Ford/Getty pictures)
“we’re heartbroken and devastated by the passing of Mike Leach,” interim athletics director Bracky Brett mentioned in a press launch. “school soccer misplaced thought-about one of its most beloved figures at this time, however his legacy will final ceaselessly. Mike’s energetic persona, influential presence and extraordinary management touched hundreds and hundreds of athletes, college students, coaches, followers, household and mates for many years.
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“Mike was an innovator, pioneer and visionary. He was a college soccer icon, a teaching legend however an great elevated particular person. we’re all elevated for having recognized Mike Leach. The ideas and prayers of Mississippi State college and your complete Bulldog household are collectively with his spouse Sharon, his youngsters and your complete Leach household.”
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