College soccer teaching legend Mike Leach has died.
Mississippi State confirmed its head coach handed away on Monday evening — simply at some point after he was rushed to a hospital in Jackson, Miss. after struggling a “private well being challenge at his dwelling.”
The faculty mentioned his demise was on account of “problems from a coronary heart situation.” No additional particulars had been launched.
He was 61 years outdated.
“Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather,” the Leach household mentioned in a press release. “He was in a position to take part in organ donation at UMMC as a ultimate act of charity.”
“We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of affection and prayers from household, associates, Mississippi State University, the hospital employees, and soccer followers world wide. Thank you for sharing within the pleasure of our beloved husband and father’s life.”
Leach initially started his faculty teaching profession in 1987 … and ultimately landed his first D1 head teaching position over a decade later when he grew to become the top man at Texas Tech in 2000.
Leach famously applied a pass-heavy offense that was later dubbed the “Air Raid,” which many faculty coaches now run at colleges to this present day.
Following 10 seasons at Texas Tech — the place he compiled an 84-43 document — Leach signed on to teach Washington State in 2012. He spent eight seasons there … earlier than shifting to Mississippi State in 2020.
Nicknamed The Pirate, Leach gained nationwide fame and followers for his dry humorousness and quirky responses at media occasions.
Mississippi State University president Mark E. Keenum mourned the loss on Tuesday morning … writing in a press release, “Mike’s eager mind and unvarnished candor made him one of many nation’s true teaching legends. His passing brings nice disappointment to our college, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who liked faculty soccer. I’ll miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open strategy to pursuing excellence in all issues.”
In his 21 years as a head coach, Leach compiled a document of 158-107 … and received eight bowl video games.
RIP.