Tragic news struck the college football community earlier this week when Mississippi State football head coach Mike Leach died after complications related to a heart condition. He was 61 years old.
According to the University, Leach suffered what was initially described as a “personal health issue” at his home in Starkville on Sunday, which required an airlift to the UMMC in Jackson, about 125 miles from Mississippi State. He passed away Monday night.
Leach was in the midst of his third season at Mississippi State. Previously Leach was head coach at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2009 and at Washington State from 2012 to 2019. He was the AFCA national coach of the year in 2018 at Washington State.
Over social media Tuesday, Leach received an outpouring of tributes and condolences to his family from current and former Patriots, most notably defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale, who played for his Washington State Cougars from 2014 to 2017.
https://twitter.com/tanielu_ekuale/status/1602666159035359232?s=20&t=ZehDcIcDG0Ua6WjCkYdDgg
RIP Mike Leach. Man his interviews was always hilarious https://t.co/lcsEbEEGGT
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) December 13, 2022
By all accounts one of the greatest guys in the sport. He will be missed. #RIP pic.twitter.com/HkawPCpFid
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) December 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/tanielu_ekuale/status/1602679399002046464?s=20&t=ZehDcIcDG0Ua6WjCkYdDgg
RIP Mike Leach
— Myles B (@mylesjbryant) December 13, 2022
RIP Mike Leach. Lost to him in the Gator Bowl. Soon after, I became teammates w Amendola in StL. Me and DA used to go to Bonnaroo & other music festivals. We’d call Mike all times of day and night. He’d always pick up. he’d stay on the phone for an hour entertaining our drunk BS
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) December 13, 2022
Before Leach’s passing, quarterback Mac Jones began his postgame press conference by offering prayers to him and his family.
“First, I want to make an opening statement. I want to send my thoughts and prayers to Coach Leach and his family,” Jones said.
“He offered me a scholarship at Washington State. I didn’t meet him, but we talked over the phone. I’m just praying for his family with everything going on.”
Leach leaves behind a legacy best known for his prolific “Air Raid” offenses. Over his 21 seasons as a head coach, four of the nine highest single-season passing yardage totals in FBS history and seven of the top 26 came from quarterbacks he coached.
A memorial service for Leach on the Mississippi State campus will occur in the coming days. His team plans to play on and complete its season in his memory at the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois in Tampa, Florida.
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