Mike Leach Death: On Monday night, Mississippi State University reported that football coach Mike Leach had passed away due to cardiac problems. He was 61. In a statement released by the university on Tuesday, Leach's family announced that their loved one had donated organs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as “a final act of kindness.”
“We are supported & uplifted by the outpouring of love & prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff & football fans around the world,” Leach's family said. We appreciate you being a part of our family's celebration of the life of our husband & father.”
Who Was Mike Leach?
Michael Charles Leach was born on March 9, 1961, in Susanville, California. He spent his childhood in Cody, Wyoming. Leach attended & played rugby for Brigham Young University, where he graduated in 1983. He then went on to acquire a master's degree from the US Sports Academy & a law degree from Pepperdine University.
The late Leach coached American football, especially at the Division I FBS level in the NCAA. He designed & implemented the NCAA's record-breaking air raid offense & won national coaching awards on two separate occasions.
From 2000-2009, he led Texas Tech University's football team as head coach, where he amassed the most victories in program history. Since leaving Texas Tech in 2012, he has been the head football coach at Washington State University, where he has amassed the third-most victories of any coach in school history. From 2020 until his death in 2022, he coached at Mississippi State.
| Full Name | Michael Charles Leach |
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1961 |
| Birth Place | Susanville, California |
| Date of Death | December 12, 2022 |
| Death Place | Jackson, Mississippi |
| Profession | Former Rugby Player & Coach |
| Championships | Pac-12 North Division & Big 12 South Division |
How Did Mike Leach Die?
Mike Leach Death: Mississippi State initially classified the event at Leach's Starkville home as a “personal health concern,” but he was admitted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson on Sunday. The university announced on Monday that Leach's health was still critical, but it did not specify the nature of the medical emergency that led to his admission. According to the university, Leach passed away on Monday, December 12 due to complications from a pre-existing heart issue that required hospitalization over the weekend.
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Tributes Given to Mike Leach
Many people in the sports world, notably football coaches all throughout the country, expressed their sadness & condolences online after hearing the news of Leach's passing.
Former University of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops commented, “Prayers for our close friend & favorite OU Off. coordinator Mike Leach, Sharon & his family.”
Bill Bedenbaugh, the offensive line coach for the Oklahoma Sooners, tweeted his sympathy to the Leach family, echoing the sentiments of Bob Stoops “So saddened & shocked by the news of Coach Mike Leach's passing. The coach was truly special & made an indelible mark on my life and career. He has been instrumental in my success. Thanks a lot, mentor.”
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Mike Leach Death: “Coach- You will undoubtedly be missed, but your impact on so many will live on,” stated Lincoln Riley, head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans football team. “I'm grateful for every single second of my life. A lot of people's lives, including mine, were altered because of you.”
Heartbroken. Prayers for the entire Leach family and @HailStateFB pic.twitter.com/pluR0EMCDN
— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) December 13, 2022
Achievements of Mike Leach
Kentucky
- Four NCAA, 42 SEC, and 116 school records broken as Kentucky's offensive coordinator
Texas Tech
- 10 consecutive winning seasons
- 8 consecutive seasons with at least 8 wins
- 4 seasons with at least 9 wins
- 1 season with 11 wins
- 9 consecutive bowl appearances
- 5 bowl wins
- 19–11 record against in-state conference rivals Baylor, Texas & Texas A&M
- 53–11 record at Jones AT&T Stadium, home of the Texas Tech Red Raider football team
- 2008 AP Big 12 Coach of the Year
- 2008 Big 12 Coach of the Yea
- Coached 1 Fred Biletnikoff Award
- More than 150 NCAA, Big 12 & school records broken as Texas Tech's head coach
- All-time winningest football coach in Texas Tech history
Washington State
- 2015 Pac-12 Coach of the Year
- 2018 Pac-12 Coach of the Year
- 4 consecutive winning seasons
- First coach to win 11 games in a season at WSU
- 1 top 10 finish
- 2 bowl wins
Mississippi State
- First head coach to win against a top 10 ranked team in coaching debut
- Broke SEC and school record in passing yards in a single game
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