Former Washington State University football coach Mike Leach died on Monday from cardiac issues, according to a statement released by Mississippi State University on Tuesday. His age of death was 61 years.
Leach’s family stated in a statement posted by the university on Tuesday that he performed “one last act of charity” by donating his organs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Mississippi State announced Tuesday that Mike Leach, the tough, innovative, and uncensored college football coach who helped revolutionize the passing game with the Air Raid offense, passed away late Monday night due to complications from a heart issue. He was 61.
Mike Leach Death
On Sunday, at his home in Starkville, Mississippi, Leach fell unwell. He had led Mississippi State for three years at that point. After being stabilized at the local facility, he was transferred by helicopter to Jackson, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Leach contracted pneumonia around the end of the season. During news briefings, he would occasionally cough excessively, but his coworkers reported he seemed to be improving.
Sad news: Mississippi State HC Mike Leach passed away at the age of 61, the school announced. RIP… pic.twitter.com/L3xPXHWGb5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 13, 2022
In the past few days, the news of Leach’s illness has traveled rapidly around the college football community. The revelation startled many of Leach’s friends and family, all of whom now wish and pray for his speedy recovery. Mike passed away at the university on December 12, 2022, after a long battle.
Mike Leach Quotes
- Tracked a raccoon one time in the snow. I was in the neighborhood and I was just curious about where this raccoon lived. There are some fresh raccoon tracks. He’d been digging in somebody’s garbage.
- I don’t think people should be allowed to shoot guns unless they have a license.
Mike Leach Family Statement
The Leach family Gave a statement:
“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.”
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum Gave this 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 Early Life and Career
Mike Leach’s birthplace is California; his name at birth was Susanville. While he attended BYU, he didn’t participate in any football programs. Before attending Pepperdine University School of Law, he completed his undergraduate degree in American studies. In 1987, Leach got his foot in the door as a football coach at Cal Poly as an assistant.
He was an assistant coach for the Chargers of Defense before taking over the Pori Bears’ bench. In 1989, Leach was named the offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan. He worked there until 1992 when he accepted a similar position at Valdosta State.
From 1997 to 1998, Leach served as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator. After that, he spent a season in a similar role with Oklahoma. In 2000, Texas Tech made Leach its head coach. Leach’s first head coaching position was here. Until 2009, he led Texas Tech’s Red Raiders.
To go back into coaching after a three-year hiatus, Leach was hired as the head coach at Washington State in 2010, where he is currently employed as of 2014. As of the midpoint of the 2014 season, Leach has a career record of 96-67 and a bowl game record of.500.
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