Mike Leach was unique with his own special personality

Mike Leach could talk about a lot of things and had a quirky personality but he also won a lot of football games. (Mississippi State Athletics Photo)

If there was a more unique college football personality than Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, I never ran across him.

Leach never played college football. He was a lawyer but yet somehow got connected with Hal Mumme and the two devised the Air Raid system that revolutionized college football. It’s not used a lot today but yet every version of a spread offense probably had its roots in the Air Raid that took advantage of every bit of space on the entire field.

Leach passed away Tuesday at age 61 after suffering a massive heart attack Sunday. No surprise he was an organ donor which goes along with his family referring to him as a “a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather” in a statement released by Mississippi State

“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,” Leach’s family said in the statement.  

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey issued this heart-felt message about Leach, who spent two years at Kentucky under coach Hal Mumme in 1997-98 when Tim Couch became the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick:

“The life of Mike Leach touched thousands upon thousands of people through his coaching, leadership teaching and insightful commentary. We will miss Mike. Every conversation with Mike made you think. His humor, depth and point of view continually challenged all of us to think differently and reevaluate our perspectives. His innovative approach to the game contributed to the evolution of college football.

“We mourn his untimely passing as we offer our support to Mike’s wife, Sharon, their children and grandchildren, along with his current and former players, coaching colleagues and the Mississippi State community.”

Leach marched to his own drum. One year at Washington State he picked a team captain because he did well on the game show “The Price Is Right.” He also used to walk 3.5 miles to work daily at Washington State.

When he was at Kentucky, he could often be seen rollerblading around Lexington.

He often talked about anything but football at press conferences. He was a military historian. He once lived and did a daily radio show in Key West between coaching gigs and loved discussing pirates. He could offer advice on coffee drinking, weddings, or anything else he might decide to throw into a conversation.

And he could coach. Never doubt that. Thirteen of his 21 seasons as a head coach his teams won eight or more games. But myself, I’ll remember the Leach as a different guy who was great calling offense but also great with quotes about anything.

Candy corn: I’ve never liked candy corn. I think it’s just awful. It’s like fruitcake. There’s a reason they serve fruitcake once a year, because it’s awful. There’s a reason they only serve mint juleps once a year, because they’re awful. And there’s a reason they only serve candy corn once a year, because it’s awful. Now that does beg the question why they serve it at all, but, anyway, that’s my opinion.”

Weddings after SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lang said she was planning a wedding: “We’ll keep a close eye on it, but whatever you and Trevor decide, I would kind of keep it on the down low, which you failed to do that. Trevor was probably planning to, but you didn’t, so go ahead and don’t say anything else about it, but as soon as the season’s over, or even an off week, go elope. Trust me on that. Go elope, because basically every female in the family is gonna terrorize you guys until it’s over. Once it’s over, I mean, they’ll be upset for a few days, but it’ll be over and then you can cruise along and have a happy marriage, have a happy life.”

Remember when he said Mississippi State got “fat, dumb and happy” with success before losing to Kentucky.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said Leach was maybe the smartest person he knew — and I would say  most of us could have said the same.

“There are not  many people you look forward to seeing every single time,” Kiffin said about Leach. “This guy got along with everybody. He was so wonderful to everybody and a true joy to be around.”

Perhaps Alabama coach Nick Saban put it best with his statement about Leach:  “I never knew quite where our conversations were going, but they always made me smile.”

Amen to that and that’s part of what made Leach so much fun to be around and why college football is going to miss him very, very much.