Mississippi State mourns loss of football head coach with news Mike Leach died Monday night at the age of 61.
Leach, in his third season as head coach at Starkville, led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record in 2022, earning a berth in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois.
Head coach Mike Leach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs watches his players warm up before playing the Texas A and M Aggies at Kyle Field on October 2, 2021, in College Station, Texas.
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Mississippi State plans to complete his season against the Fighting Illini on January 2.
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“The players are 100% behind this bowling game and doing what Coach Leach expects of them,” acting athletic director Bracky Brett told ESPN. “We all know that’s what Coach Leach would want, and that’s what we should be doing.”
Zach Arnett, Mississippi State Defensive Coordinatorwas put in charge of the program following Leach’s hospitalization and will coach the team in their bowling match.
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach before a game against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Starkville, Miss.
(Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The match will be played at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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“It’s only fitting that we’re playing this game and honoring Coach Leach in a stadium that has a pirate ship,” Brett said.
Illinois head coach Brett Bielema offered his condolences to Leach’s family following news of his passing.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Leach’s family,” Bielema said in a statement, according to NBC Chicago. “Today is a sad day for college football. We have lost a great coach, a wonderful person, and one of the legendary personalities in our sport. Mike and I forged a long friendship after our first meeting at the Alamo Bowl in early 2000s. We shared so many memories over the years. RIP, Mike.”
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach arrives at the stadium before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Fayetteville, Ark.
(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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During his 21-year coaching career, Leach led his teams to 19 bowl games.
Leach had a career record of 158-107.
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