Mike Leach, one of the most colourful coaches in college football, is dead at 61.
Leach, the head coach of Mississippi State, had been listed in critical condition earlier Monday after reportedly sustaining a massive heart attack.
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Reports of Leach suffering a severe medical issue first surfaced on Sunday afternoon as the college football world prayed for the innovative coach.
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Leach had a 158-107 career record, including 8-9 in bowl games.
Leach was known as an offensive guru who coined the phrase “air raid” offence.
“Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape. His innovative ‘air raid’ offence changed the game,” Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said.
“Mike’s keen intellect and unvarnished candour 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.”
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Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who played at Mississippi State from 2011-15, paid tribute to Leach on his Instagram Story.
“Thank you for your impact on the lives you coach and our university!” Prescott wrote. “Rest easy pirate.”
Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, who played at Texas Tech after Leach’s tenure, wrote on Twitter, “Prayers to the Leach family! True legend of the game!”
Former Texas Tech coach and current Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said in a statement that there’s “no way” he’d be where he is without Leach.
“He was a mentor, a friend and one of the most special people I’ve ever met,” Kingsbury said.
Leach is survived by his wife Sharon and four children: Janeen, Kimberly, Cody and Kiersten. Leach was the oldest of six siblings and was raised in Wyoming.
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Leach was known for a dry wit, where people would want to hear him talk about hating candy corn or owning a pet raccoon or advising engaged couples to elope instead of throwing a lavish wedding.
He was particularly fond of pirates, and collected their memorabilia, and generally knowledgeable of American history.
“Truly saddened by the death of a good friend and special man,” legendary former Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder tweeted on Monday night, albeit a little prematurely.
“Mike Leach will always remain special in my heart and the hearts of many. Not only a unique and talented coach, but one who taught life lessons to so many young men whose lives he changed for the better. Rest In Peace.”
Mississippi State is scheduled to play Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.
Defensive co-ordinator Zach Arnett was named the interim coach once Leach was hospitalised.
This story originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reposted with permission
