Coach Mike Leach of Mississippi State passed away after being hospitalized. According to the university, Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach passed away on Monday night due to complications from a cardiac issue. He was 61.
In a statement sent by the university on Tuesday, Leach’s family claimed that Leach donated an organ at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as “a final act of kindness.”
The support and prayers of family, friends, Mississippi State University, medical personnel, and football fans worldwide, according to Leach’s family, have helped them through this difficult time. We appreciate you sharing in the happiness of the life of our cherished father and husband.
Leach was airlifted to the UMMC in Jackson, some 125 miles from Mississippi State, after suffering what the institution initially termed in a news release as a “personal health concern” at his home in Starkville on Sunday.
Leach, who is in his third season leading Mississippi State, revealed to ESPN after the regular season that he had pneumonia earlier in the year but was now feeling better. Before experiencing his health issue on Sunday, he was at practice on Saturday.
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Many people who knew Leach was shocked to hear that he had become quite unwell over the past several days and were hoping and praying for his recovery amid the difficult circumstances.
Mississippi State University president Mark E. Keenum said in a statement that coach Mike Leach “cast an enormous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the whole college football scene.” His game-changing ‘Air Raid’ offense was novel. One of the coaching legends in the country, Mike was known for his sharp mind and unflinching candor. Our university, the Southeastern Conference, and all fans of college football are deeply saddened by his departure. I shall miss Mike’s intense curiosity, honesty, and open-minded pursuit of excellence in everything.
“Mike’s passing serves as a further reminder of how frail and unpredictable life is. Mike and I were in the team’s locker room three weeks ago as we celebrated an important victory in Oxford. Mike Leach sincerely loved life and lived his life without looking back. That leaves a good legacy. Godspeed to the Leach family during these trying times. The Bulldog family is sending them its prayers.”
At Texas Tech, Leach created offenses that broke records with quarterbacks like Kingsbury and Harrell. In five of Leach’s final six seasons as coach, the Red Raiders finished in the AP Top 25 and had an 11-2 season in 2008.
According to a statement from Texas Tech, Coach Leach “will be long regarded as one of the most inventive offensive minds in college football history.” “He had one of the finest coaching tenures in the history of our program, and his influence on Texas Tech Football alone will endure in history. Coach Leach immediately established a reputation at Texas Tech that will continue forever, largely thanks to his 84 victories and record-breaking offenses.”
Before being sacked on December 30, 2009, he had coached at Texas Tech for ten seasons. Adam James, a former athlete and the son of former NFL player and ESPN announcer Craig James, accused Leach of mistreating him after he sustained a concussion. Leach was placed on administrative leave on December 28, 2009, after which the university
Three grandkids, his wife Sharon, and children Janeen, Kim, Cody, and Kiersten survive Leach.
When Leach was admitted to the hospital, Keenum and Brett gave Zach Arnett, the defensive coordinator, control of the football team. On January 2, the Bulldogs will play Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
