By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach has passed away. He was 61.
An official cause of death has not been announced yet. However, multiple reports suggest that he had a massive heart attack.
His condition was dire on Monday, as the school said he was in critical condition.
“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,” his family said in a statement. “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.”
He attended the Bulldogs practice on Saturday. Then on Saturday night, he attended a Christmas party.
Hours later, he had a medical emergency at his home.
He was 158-107 as a head coach in college football. Leach coached the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Washington State Cougars, and the Bulldogs.
He goes out a winner in his last game. He led the Bulldogs to a 24-22 win in the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving night against the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi.
Zach Arnett will serve as the Bulldogs interim head coach in the team’s upcoming Bowl game. The team will have a tough few weeks as they prepare for his memorial services and their January 2nd, 2023 Bowl game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
“Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape. His innovative “Air Raid” offense changed the game,” Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum said in a statement. “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.”
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