Mike Leach passes away at age 61

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – OCTOBER 08: head coach Mike Leach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Mike Leach, head football coach at Mississippi State and former coach at Washington State and Texas Tech, has passed away. He was 61.

Leach died Monday night at University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was airlifted on Sunday after suffering a “personal health issue” at his home in Starkville, according to a Mississippi State University press release.

Leach was in his third season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He was at practice on Saturday before suffering the health issue Sunday. Mississippi State was preparing to face Illinois in the Reliaquest Bowl on Jan. 2nd in Tampa, Fla.

Leach coached at Texas Tech from 2000-2009, then made the move to the Pac-12 Conference to coach Washington State from 2012-19. He took over at Mississippi State in 2020. His record with the Bulldogs was 19-17.

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