Mike Leach has passed away

[BTChamp]

Per ESPN: "After receiving his law degree in 1986, Leach began his football coaching career at Cal Poly in 1987, then joined Hal Mumme's staff at Iowa Wesleyan in 1989."

Law degree in '86, coaching in '87. Found that intriguing as a career decision.

 

[PeoplesFront]

I respect the hell out of Leach and his ability to not give two shits about what anyone thinks. That guy stayed in his own little world. RIP coach.

...that time that Mike Leach signed for a FedEx package naked while hosting his radio show | Footballscoop

 

[GophersInIowa]

 

[MaxyJR1]

Leaving a legacy of coaches who carry on the "Air Raid" style. Thank you coach Leach

 

[GophersInIowa]

 

[GophersInIowa]

 

[Frink]

My favorite presser ever. RIP

 

[nsmike]

Football is a little more drab today after losing one of it's most colorful characters.

 

[swelna]

Edited the thread title with this morning's news. RIP

 

[Slim Tubby]

RIP, coach...you made college football much more entertaining. You'll be missed by many.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Did he have a blockage, or was it some other kind of heart ailment? Reason I ask is I believe the reports said they used a defibrillator to get his heart back in sync?

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Whatever it was, this sucks. One of my favorite coaches. Clearly cut from the "I'm not for everyone" mold.

Absolutely, just an incredibly unique character.

I played against his team in college in the playoffs when the Air Raid was just being born, when he was working with Hal Mumme to develop the offense, even though he was a Def Coordinator at the time.

Very sad news to hear, an incredible football coach, an incredibly honest person, and unique individual, definitely as you said, not for everyone.

 

[tikited]

RIP.. I wanted him here at one point. Would have been a blast.

 

[Gold Rush]

RIP.. I wanted him here at one point. Would have been a blast.

Me too!! They could have had him after Brewster left but he was too controversial for the powers that be and they went with Kill. I do not feel at all bad with the Kill hire but Leach would have been very interesting here. I think he would have been very successful here!

 

[MNGoph24]

RIP to him and it’s awesome that he gave organs to others as one of his last acts.

 

[STPGopher]

Did he have a blockage, or was it some other kind of heart ailment? Reason I ask is I believe the reports said they used a defibrillator to get his heart back in sync?

Great question. Unfortunately I don't know the answer. Could it have been "run away" tachycardia? Other rhythm related issue?

 

[#2Gopher]

Donating your organs, eyes etc. is a very simple act that everyone can do. Yet many people don't do it for selfish reasons that don't make sense at all. I commend Leach for taking that simple step as he won't need them anymore and will benefit others through his gift.

Meanwhile may the peace of the Lord be with his family at this time.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

 

[Panthadad2]

Total innovative mind. One of the very few high level football coaches to never play college football; maybe freeing him from the existing coaching dogma. I could be wrong, but I recall his early Texas Tech years as being the first to implement the modern "air raid" type spread offense that eschewed time of possession in favor of increasing the number of offensive plays. How many teams have we seen implement those tactics since then?

Side note: I always wondered if his fast moving air raid offenses hurt his defenses as much as it helped his offenses given that he never coached at a helmet school defensive player depth-factory.

 

[restovich]

Going to miss the pirate

 

[MirandaB]

Excellent tribute by Bruce Feldman in The Athletic. It's a sad day.

 

[stocker08]

Donating your organs, eyes etc. is a very simple act that everyone can do. Yet many people don't do it for selfish reasons that don't make sense at all. I commend Leach for taking that simple step as he won't need them anymore and will benefit others through his gift.

Meanwhile may the peace of the Lord be with his family at this time.

A quick search gives numbers between 54-60% of Americans being organ donors. Higher than I thought it'd be....but I agree with you. Number should be even higher. Don't understand the selfish reasoning behind wanting your potentially life saving organs to rot when you no longer need them.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

Total innovative mind. One of the very few high level football coaches to never play college football; maybe freeing him from the existing coaching dogma. I could be wrong, but I recall his early Texas Tech years as being the first to implement the modern "air raid" type spread offense that eschewed time of possession in favor of increasing the number of offensive plays. How many teams have we seen implement those tactics since then?

Side note: I always wondered if his fast moving air raid offenses hurt his defenses as much as it helped his offenses given that he never coached at a helmet school defensive player-depth factory.

My understanding is that Hal Mumme is considered the father of the air raid. Leach coached under Mumme at a few spots, most notably Kentucky. Leach may have coined the name. Leach then took the offense to Oklahoma where he was OC before getting the HC job at Texas Tech.

 

[GringaGopher]

A quick search gives numbers between 54-60% of Americans being organ donors. Higher than I thought it'd be....but I agree with you. Number should be even higher. Don't understand the selfish reasoning behind wanting your potentially life saving organs to rot when you no longer need

A quick search gives numbers between 54-60% of Americans being organ donors. Higher than I thought it'd be....but I agree with you. Number should be even higher. Don't understand the selfish reasoning behind wanting your potentially life saving organs to rot when you no longer need them.

Agreed. This is why it is so important to make sure you have an advance healthcare directive or living will. Having been in a position many times of informing a family that their loved one is dead that is an extremely sensitive time to ask for organ donation. The living will is a legal document that ensures the organ donations will be honored. It’s a simple process that can save many other lives.

 

[noamfromm]

A quick search gives numbers between 54-60% of Americans being organ donors. Higher than I thought it'd be....but I agree with you. Number should be even higher. Don't understand the selfish reasoning behind wanting your potentially life saving organs to rot when you no longer need them.

rather than continue this here, I linked an article in the OTB https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/brain-death-organ-donation.109322/

 

[Ope3]

RIP Leach.

Always found it quite a unique coincidence that both Mason and Claeys last games as Gophers HC were both against Leach, in Bowl Games no less. Not very common to be let go after Bowl Games to begin with.

Side note, reports are there Jan 2 Bowl Game vs Illinois will be played.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

RIP Coach Leach.

I blocked off some time this morning to watch him talk about mascot fights, getting married, and Halloween candy.

One of my favorite short ones is below.

 

[Panthadad2]

RIP Coach Leach.

I blocked off some time this morning to watch him talk about mascot fights, getting married, and Halloween candy.

One of my favorite short ones is below.

I think that's the same sideline reporter that had Leach giving marriage advice. Classic. Kudos to her.

 

[BTChamp]

It's too bad he couldn't live to retire on his own timing, buy a ranch in montana or something and do youtube videos about whatever goes through his mind. He had a gift to entertain for sure.

 

[denguegopher]

Sat next to his sister (he apparently had a lot of them) and nephew (had even more to them) on the train in San Diego for Claes" last game. They told me that their family was from Cody, WY IIRC. I will always remember him saying, "there is nothing healthy about being a college football coach." I think that he was talking about lack of sleep, eating on the fly, etc., all on top of the need to win.