STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach, a college football icon whose impact was felt just as much off the field as on it, died Monday night at a hospital in Jackson.
He was 61.
Mississippi State announced Tuesday morning that Leach died from complications from a heart condition at University of Mississippi Medical Center after suffering a sudden medical issue and being airlifted to UMMC on Sunday afternoon.
Leach leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and four children.
“We are uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world,” Leach’s family said in a statement. “Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father’s life.”
That joy was felt by college football fans around the world — not just those in Starkville.
Leach spent the past three seasons as Mississippi State’s head coach, but he catapulted himself onto the national stage during stops at Texas Tech at Washington State.
He led Tech from 2000 to 2009, going 84-43 in Lubbock and leading the Red Raiders to an 11-2 season in 2008.
Leach won 11 games again at Washington State in 2018, finishing 55-47 in his eight seasons in Pullman from 2012-2019.
In each location, he became known for his wit as well as his winning ways.
Whether it was tangents during press conferences, locker-room vigor or other quirks, Leach gained a national star status that followed him to Starkville.
“Mike was an innovator, pioneer and visionary. He was a college football icon, a coaching legend but an even better person,” MSU interim athletic director Bracky Brett said in a press release announcing Leach’s death. “We are all better for having known Mike Leach.”
Hired in January 2020 after the firing of Joe Moorhead, Leach led Mississippi State to a win in the Armed Forces Bowl in his first season, beating No. 24 Tulsa.
MSU surprised in 2021 with a 7-5 season featuring big wins over NC State, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Auburn. The Bulldogs finished the 2022 regular season 8-4 with a win over Ole Miss and are currently ranked in the top 25.
Leach found widespread success with his “Air Raid” offensive scheme, developed alongside Hal Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan and Valdosta State.
The pass-heavy concept worked time and time again, helping Leach solve defenses during his stops in Lubbock, Pullman and Starkville.
“Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape,” MSU President Mark Keenum said. “His innovative ‘Air Raid’ offense changed the game.
“Mike’s keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation’s true coaching legends,” Keenum added. “His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.”
The curiosity Keenum mentioned went far beyond football. Leach holds a law degree from Pepperdine University; he taught a class at Washington State called “Insurgent Warfare and Football Strategies.” He had interest in Geronimo, animals and in particular pirates, leading to a simple nickname: “The Pirate.” Leach published a book called “Swing Your Sword” in 2011.
Leach also served as an influence on plenty of notable coaches, coaching current Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury and working with USC head coach Lincoln Riley while at Texas Tech. TCU’s Sonny Dykes and Houston’s Dana Holgorsen are also part of Leach’s extensive coaching tree.
Leach’s wide reach was evident during his final days, with the college football world coming together to wish him well.
The other 13 Southeastern Conference schools or their coaches all issued statements of support for Leach and/or regret at his passing.
Mississippi Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith both commented on Leach’s death, as did Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill.
Leach’s loss leaves a void in the Mississippi State program as the Bulldogs prepare to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa.
MSU currently lacks a full-time athletic director and is now without a head football coach as well.
As the days go by, a heavy-hearted school will mourn Leach and do its best to pick up the pieces.
“We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of Mike Leach,” Brett said. “College football lost one of its most beloved figures today, but his legacy will last forever. Mike’s energetic personality, influential presence and extraordinary leadership touched millions of athletes, students, coaches, fans, family and friends for decades.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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