Josh Heupel mourns passing of his former coach Mike Leach
Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach died Monday, Mississippi State University announced Tuesday.
Leach was 61.
He served as the Bulldogs’ head coach from 2020-22, compiling a 19-17 (11-15 SEC) record. Leach served as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1997-98 before serving as head coach at Texas Tech (2000-09) and Washington State (2012-19).
He was Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 1999. Josh Heupel served as Leach’s starting quarterback.
Heupel released a statement Tuesday mourning Leach’s death.
“I am heartbroken on the passing of coach Leach,” Heupel said. “In 1999, he gave a kid out of Snow College in Utah a shot at major college football. He saw something in me when no else did. Like so many across our sport, I am grateful for coach Leach’s impact on my life both personally and professionally. His offensive philosophy and vision were ahead of his time, and they continue to shape the game today.
“Off the field, he was one of a kind — an incredible storyteller, a man full of wisdom and someone who always cared about his former players and coaches. I enjoyed our friendship over the years. My deepest condolences go out to coach Leach’s family, his wife Sharon, his kids and grandkids and the entire Mississippi State football program.”
