Tributes shared for Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach, who died at age 61

Pete Grathoff

Mike Leach, the affable and successful football coach at Mississippi State, passed away Monday night at the age of 61, the school announced Tuesday morning.

The school said Leach died at the Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, “following complications from a heart condition.”

“Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather,” the Leach family said in a statement released by Mississippi State. “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.”

Leach, who had a career record of 158-107 in 21 seasons as a head coach, got his start at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders made nine bowl appearances, including the 2008 Cotton Bowl, in Leach’s 10 seasons beginning in 2000.

In 2012, Leach was hired at Washington State and over eight season the Cougars appeared in seven bowl games. Leach took over at Mississippi State in 2020.

Tributes for Leach came from all around the sports world.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who played at Mississippi State, shared this.

Patrick Mahomes, who played at Texas Tech after Leach had left, called him a “true legend.”.

Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz shared this message.

The University of Alabama football team paid tribute to Leach.

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, a former Texas Tech coach, wrote this.

Texas Tech shared this message.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum talked about Leach on “Get Up.”

Here is what others had to say about Leach’s passing.

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