Mike Leach, the popular former Texas Tech coach, has passed away.
Mike Leach, the former Texas Tech Red Raiders football coach, has passed away at the age of 61.
A statement from Mississippi State, where he was most recently employed:
Mississippi State University Head Football Coach Michael Charles “Mike” Leach passed away last night (Monday, Dec. 12) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, following complications from a heart condition. He was 61.
In a statement, the Leach family said: “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 Bulldogs coach was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson on Sunday after experiencing a “personal health issue.”
As the Bulldogs prepare for the ReliaQuest Bowl, MSU defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has been named interim coach.
Leach was the architect of the “Air Raid” offense, a scheme that has set numerous college football offensive records. His coaching tree is recognizable to anyone who follows college football, including USC coach Lincoln Riley, former Red Raiders and current Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, and Houston coach Dana Holgorsen.
Leach joined Texas Tech as head coach in 2000 after one season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Oklahoma under Bob Stoops.
The Leach-led Red Raiders finished with three nine-win seasons and an 11-win season. Texas Tech swept its in-state Big 12 rivals Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M in 2002 then beat Clemson 55-15 in the Tangerine Bowl. It was the Red Raiders’ first post-season win since 1995.
In 2006, Leach and the Red Raiders started the season 6-0 – their best start since 1998. Behind Leach’s “Air Raid” offense Tech led the NCAA in passing yardage four years in a row.
Leach also found success with a number of different quarterbacks.
With Kingsbury under center for three seasons, Leach and Tech found huge success. Kingsbury broke the NCAA record for completions in a career. When he was replaced by B.J. Symons, Symons threw for the most passing yards in a season in NCAA history.
