Making the case for Mike Leach getting a College Football Hall of Fame eligibility exception
STARKVILLE — In 2025, three years will have passed since Mike Leach last coached Mississippi State football. Typically, that threshold makes a former coach eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame.
However, there's a rule hindering Leach's path to an induction.
His career, which ended unexpectedly after his death on Dec. 12, 2022, featured a 158-107 record. To be in the hall of fame, a coach must have won at least 60% of his games. Leach won 59.6%.
Those arguing against the addition of Leach into the hall of fame rest their case there. However, exceptions can be made.
National Football Foundation president and CEO Steve Hatchell made that clear in a recent interview with CBS Sports, in which he said Leach would need a waiver to be inducted. That waiver would need approval from a board of more than 75 members.
It's a drawn-out process that could end with Leach still not being included on the ballot. However, when presented with context, here's a look at why a waiver to the rule may be worthwhile in Leach's case.
Mike Leach record showed winning isn’t created equally
Leach didn’t coach at Alabama, Georgia, LSU or Michigan – programs that have been powerhouses on the field and in the recruiting realm. He wasn’t working with five-star prospects backing up other five-star prospects.
Instead, Leach − known by many as, “The Pirate” and an innovator of the Air Raid offense – found success at tough places to win.
At Texas Tech (2000-09), Leach won 84 games. He won at least nine games in five different seasons – a feat the Red Raiders have reached only 14 times in program history.
After his firing from Texas Tech, Leach was away from the sidelines until he was hired at Washington State (2012-2019). He won at least nine games three times. It’s only happened 10 times in program history. The last nine-win campaign before Leach’s arrival came in 2003.
His career ended in Starkville. The Bulldogs won four games in 2020 before he led Mississippi State to a seven-win campaign in 2021. The Bulldogs won eight games under Leach in 2022. They went on to win a ninth in the ReliaQuest Bowl shortly after his death. MSU has only reached that feat 10 times.
Context can be added to his first campaign at Mississippi State. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, SEC teams played a conference-only schedule. It’s reasonable to say had Mississippi State played a normal slate, the Bulldogs would’ve won at least six games. That would have his winning percentage above the necessary benchmark.
BOATS, BIKES AND BARSTOOLS: How Key West became memorable part of Mike Leach's life
Mike Leach’s legacy extends beyond his record
Leach’s personality was unlike many in the sport, and it was evident following his death. From actor Matthew McConaughey to former president Donald Trump, people from all corners of the world shared their connection to the beloved coach.
But Leach was more than a funny sound bite with celebrity friends. He helped create an offense that's molded the explosive passing attacks in today's game.
From Josh Heupel at Tennessee to Lincoln Riley at Southern California, Air Raid concepts are evident in the sport. Kliff Kingsbury, another Leach disciple, ran the Air Raid while at Texas Tech (2013-18). It helped produce Patrick Mahomes, who could be on track to becoming the best quarterback to ever play.
As many said after his death, Leach changed football at every level. That doesn't impact winning percentage, but it's part of Leach's case to be in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: College Football Hall of Fame could make exception for Mike Leach
