Mike Leach’s innovations changed football forever and helped the sport enter the 21st century
On Tuesday morning, Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach passed away at the age of 61.
It was a deeply sad moment for many across the country, and reality set in as the news came down from Mississippi State.
Leach was a beloved head coach, and one of the most unique personalities college football has ever seen, in this or any other era of the sport’s 153-year history.
Leach’s coaching tree was long and influential. Lincoln Riley — the current USC Trojans head coach — credits a ton of his success to Leach.
After the unfortunate news hit the wires and the headlines, Riley, Alex Grinch, Gus Malzahn, and many other prominent figures in college football came to show their support for Mike Leach.
What emerges from these tributes is an appreciation of how great an innovator Leach was within the larger evolution of football. The number of credentialed coaches and tacticians taught or influenced by Leach is expansive. That’s a central part of Leach’s football legacy, which will become apparent when you see the recollections and photos below:
LINCOLN RILEY
Coach-
You will certainly be missed, but your impact on so many will live on-Thankful for every moment. You changed my life and so many others.
All of our prayers are with Sharon & the Leach family-
Rest In Peace my friend🙏 pic.twitter.com/C43e2MZvBB
— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) December 13, 2022
USC ASSOCIATE AD FOR FOOTBALL
I have struggled to put into words what I am feeling since hearing about Coach Leach yesterday. I don't know everything, but I do know that he needs our prayers.🙏
— Dave Emerick (@DaveEmerickUSC1) December 12, 2022
THE LEACH LEGACY
inventing the "Routes on Air" drill where five WRs/TEs/RBs run a pass play and *five QBs* drop back, go through each read and throw the ball — designed to maximize reps for the receivers and for the QB to practice their reps — would be enough. https://t.co/o5NzDctD6B
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) December 13, 2022
NAPKIN PLAYS
I'll try to keep posting Leach materials, but here is one of his callsheets (one of those infamous "plays on a napkin" callsheets) from years ago. Happy to translate the plays, but you can see how ridiculously simple – and yet to the point – it is. pic.twitter.com/5JWeS8V9fQ
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) December 13, 2022
CENTRAL CONCEPTS
And even when Leach does call a play, he often does it by signaling "Think About" a play, meaning, well, here's a suggestion, but call what you think makes sense. (But I will grill you as to why you called it.) https://t.co/PK3HLReDtB
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) December 13, 2022
AIR RAID VIDEO
Last one, for now: Mike Leach's 1998 coaching clinic on receiver techniques remains one of my favorites. "The best thing we do is practice." https://t.co/lwnhvAxjNf
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) December 13, 2022
STORIES
— Dave Emerick (@DaveEmerickUSC1) December 14, 2022
ALEX GRINCH, FORMER LEACH DC AT WASHINGTON STATE
Thank you for believing in me Coach Leach. Prayers to Sharon and family.
— Coach Grinch (@CoachGrinch) December 13, 2022
USC ASSISTANT COACH
Life is so so fragile. To my old boss and friend @Coach_Leach. Thank you for everything. You walked to the beat of your own drum, changed the game of football and you showed the world you can do it all YOUR way. There will never be another like you! Long live the PIRATE! 🏴☠️⚔️ 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/wTcyrmeKAU
— Roy Manning (@CoachRoyM) December 13, 2022
BRUCE FELDMAN
There's no one even remotely like Leach. He was brilliant. He could be hillarious. He could be maddening. His influence on football & coaching is truly remarkable. He didn’t just change college football. He changed FOOTBALL. Texas HS. 7 on 7. Bill Belichick’s Patriots. Everything
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 13, 2022
ADVICE FOR EVERYONE
Mike Leach sat beside me for breakfast in Starkville. Like one of his pressers, you never knew where the conversation would go. He talked football but also doled out life advice to a pre-teen whose grandma brought him over to meet Leach. https://t.co/OgftAxvv2N
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) December 13, 2022
LANE KIFFIN
Ole Miss head coach @Lane_Kiffin shares his thoughts about his friend coach Mike Leach.
“I loved him.”
🎥 @SportsCenter | @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/LnXyPRLhZa
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) December 13, 2022
BRIAN KELLY
Brian Kelly acknowledges the impact that Mike Leach had on college football ✊ pic.twitter.com/s8UuZqxVXl
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 14, 2022
NICK SABAN
Alabama head coach Nick Saban comments on the passing of Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach. https://t.co/6Ejgz7nyjy
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) December 13, 2022
THE COACHING TREE
In 2002, Lincoln Riley played for Mike Leach. He then worked for Leach as an assistant. After coming to #USC, Riley showed that Leach’s football knowledge mattered to him. https://t.co/GTjMxXrhhb
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) December 14, 2022
SONNY DYKES
In 2002, Mike Leach coached a walk-on QB at #TexasTech named Lincoln Riley. Sonny Dykes was a Texas Tech assistant. Leach’s reach in the CFB world was enormous. https://t.co/A3t9CuFgE8
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) December 13, 2022
KNOWLEDGE BASE
"He's maybe the smartest person I've ever met." @Lane_Kiffin remembering his friend Mike Leach today on @SportsCenter. pic.twitter.com/dC5qbJlSLA
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) December 13, 2022
GRAHAM HARRELL, WILL ROGERS, MICHAEL CRABTREE
I was in 1st grade when Graham threw the ball to Crabtree against Texas. Thank you for giving me a chance as a 17 year old. From Wazzu, to Mississippi State I will never forget everything you taught me and the relationship we had. I will see you again someday coach. #RIP pic.twitter.com/2gBYxkKRAj
— Will Rogers (@Wrogers__2) December 13, 2022
KLIFF KINGSBURY
Kliff Kingsbury on his mentor, friend and former college head coach Mike Leach…
"He made you believe in yourself more so than you did… I wish he could've seen the outpouring today, because I don't think it ever hit him like that." @12SportsAZ pic.twitter.com/TqI45pgy1E
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) December 14, 2022
PLAYERS REACT
Literally lost for words. @Coach_Leach gave me an opportunity to come back to my alma mater to coach and I’ll forever be grateful for that. Always showed me so much love and respect since the first day we met. I’ll miss you coach and thank you for everything 💔🕊️ #HailState pic.twitter.com/q60x8w8HPH
— Taveze Calhoun (@Calhoun__23) December 13, 2022
GUS MALZAHN
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Mike Leach. He was truly one of a kind, an innovator of the game and a great coach. My first and last games as HC at Auburn were against his teams. Kristi and I send our condolences to his family, friends and everyone that knew him. pic.twitter.com/BwEWI9ccrp
— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) December 13, 2022
VOLS WIRE
Remembering Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach. https://t.co/Vmhxehl2nU
— Vols Wire (@VolsWire) December 13, 2022
JOSH HEUPEL
Josh Heupel mourns the passing of his former coach Mike Leach. https://t.co/DgUlVOUb4k
— Vols Wire (@VolsWire) December 13, 2022
MACK BROWN
UNC football head coach Mack Brown comments on the passing of Mike Leach who died on Tuesday morning. https://t.co/oAiP9y4J1u
— Tar Heels Wire (@tarheelswire) December 14, 2022
JAMES FRANKLIN
James Franklin’s statement on passing of Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach https://t.co/ryQbwmdsFg
— Nittany Lions Wire (@NittanyLionWire) December 13, 2022
JOSH HEUPEL PLAYED FOR MIKE LEACH IN 1999 WHEN LEACH WAS THE OC AT OKLAHOMA
25 Sep 1999: Josh Heupel #14 of the Oklahoma Sooners passes the ball during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John”s Stadium in Louisville, Kentuky. The Sooners defeated the Cardinals 42-21.
GRAHAM HARRELL PLAYED FOR MIKE LEACH AT TEXAS TECH AND LED THE RED RAIDERS TO 11 WINS
Jan 02, 2009; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Graham Harrell (6) throws a pass against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2009 Cotton Bowl Classic at the Cotton Bowl. Texas Tech was a member of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, along with Arizona State, Arizona, UTEP, and others. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
ALEX GRINCH AT WAZZU UNDER LEACH
Sep 16, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive coordinator Alex Grinch talks with member of the defense during a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
