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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Barry Werner

Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach dies at 61

Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach died Monday night at the age of 61.

Leach suffered what the university initially described in a news release as a “personal health issue” at his home in Starkville on Sunday, which required him to be airlifted to the UMMC in Jackson, about 125 miles from Mississippi State.

His death was attributed to complications suffered after a heart condition.

Leach, who was named Mississippi State’s head football coach on January 9, 2020, was finishing his third season in Starkville and 21st overall as a head coach.

Leach had a 19-17 record with the Bulldogs, 8-4 this season. He was at Texas Tech from 2000-09 and Washington State from 2012-19.

The family released a statement:

“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 school president spoke about Leach:

Coach Mike Leachcast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape. His innovative “Air Raid” offense changed the game. Mike’s keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation’s true coaching legends. His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.

“Mike’s death also underscores the fragility and uncertainty of our lives. Three weeks ago, Mike and I were together in the locker room celebrating a hard-fought victory in Oxford. Mike Leach truly embraced life and lived in such a manner as to leave no regrets. That’s a worthy legacy. May God bless the Leach family during these days and hours. The prayers of the Bulldog family go with them.”

Leach is survived by his wife, Sharon; children Janeen, Kim, Cody, and Kiersten; and three grandchildren.

Tributes came in on social media:

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