Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach in critical condition after reported heart attack
Update (Dec. 13): Mike Leach died Monday night at age 61. Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel remembered Leach and his one-of-a-kind personality here.
Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach was hospitalized due to a health issue that occurred at his home on Sunday and is in critical condition.
According to a university statement, Leach was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. No other information was provided by the university, but the Clarion Ledger reported Monday that Leach suffered a massive heart attack.
According to multiple sources, Leach, 61, collapsed at his home in Starkville, but did not receive medical attention for between 10 to 15 minutes. EMTs used a defibrillator machine and delivered multiple shocks to restore normal heart rhythm.
After he was stabilized at Oktibbeha County Hospital, he was transported by helicopter to UMMC. Sources said two of four [of] his children are already in Jackson with the other two en route.
It appears, according to sources, that Leach may have suffered seizures with the possibility of brain damage. Sources said the situation is dire.
Leach, 61, told ESPN after the conclusion of the regular season that he had pneumonia during the season but was "feeling better."
Mississippi State said Sunday that Leach had a "personal health issue." On Monday, MSU said Leach's family is by his side at the hospital.
"Mike's family is with him and appreciates the overwhelming expressions of love and support for the coach, but also requests that their family's privacy be respected at this time," an MSU statement said. "That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding Coach Leach's condition, and the university will make no other comment at this time."
Update on Head Football Coach Mike Leach: pic.twitter.com/My3CijA2XJ
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) December 12, 2022
Leach is in his third season as Mississippi State's head coach. He is 19-17 in that span, including an 8-4 mark this year.
Prior to arriving in Starkville, Leach spent eight seasons as the head coach at Washington State and 10 seasons at Texas Tech. Overall, Leach has a 158-107 record as a head coach.
MSU defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has been placed in charge of the football team “until Coach Leach returns,” the school said. MSU will play in the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Illinois on Jan. 2.
