Michael Charles “Mike” Leach, who was the head coach of Mississippi State University football, passed away Dec. 12 at the age of 61 after suffering a heart condition. Leach died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
The Leach family released a statement following his death.
“Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather. He was able to participate in organ donation at UMMC as a final act of charity. We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world. Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father’s life.”
The Mississippi State family is mourning the loss of head football coach Mike Leach, who passed away last night at UMMC following a medical emergency at his home on Sunday. https://t.co/APgm08pJrt
— Mississippi State (@msstate) December 13, 2022
Mark E. Keenum, who is the president of Mississippi State University, also released a statement.
“Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape. 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. 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.”
“Mike’s death also underscores the fragility and uncertainty of our lives,” Keenum continued. “Three weeks ago, Mike and I were together in the locker room celebrating a hard-fought victory in Oxford. Mike Leach truly embraced life and lived in such a manner as to leave no regrets. That’s a worthy legacy. May God bless the Leach family during these days and hours. The prayers of the Bulldog family go with them.” (RELATED: Mike Leach Hospitalized With ‘Personal Health Issue’)
Leach was finishing his third season as the head coach of Mississippi State football. Leach leaves behind his wife Sharon and his four children (Janeen, Kimberly, Cody and Kiersten), as well as six siblings.
As the head coach of the Bulldogs, Leach recorded an overall 19-17 record, and was at 8-4 in the 2022 season. Before Mississippi State, Leach was at the helm of Washington State University (WSU) from 2012-2019, and before that, Texas Tech from 2000-2009. While at WSU in 2018, Leach was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year.
While at Texas Tech, Leach created mesmerizing offenses and developed quarterbacks, such as Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Graham Harrell. In 2008, he brought the Red Raiders to an 11-2 record and in five of his last six seasons as head coach, he had his team placed in the AP Top 25.
Leach was also beloved for his opinionated nature on and off the field:
RIP Mike Leach. A legend 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/WfBcqAq1iK
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) December 13, 2022
Mike Leach breaking down a potential Pac-12 mascot fight.
He was one of a kind. RIP pic.twitter.com/KEp1FOnAip
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) December 13, 2022
Here’s Mike Leach talking about ‘the best party he’s ever been to’ back in 2017:
‘It’s called Flora-Bama, right on the border of Florida & Alabama… you go & there’s like 3 different bands plays… a heaping of crawfish for like $5… fantastic people watching.’
🎥@SWXRightNow pic.twitter.com/6UkLkqDd3E
— Brett Greenberg (@74Talk) December 13, 2022
We’ll miss you, coach.