Loss of The Pirate
Death of MSU head football coach Leach the top local sports story of 2022 for DTL
Mike Leach never hesitated to offer advice if he thought someone needed it.
Whether it was plans for a wedding, how to make good gravy or the best way to win a football game, Leach had a unique way of giving his thoughts on those subjects and more.
In a cameo appearance on Friday Night Lights, Leach provided perhaps his most famous words of wisdom to coach Eric Taylor.
“You've lost your inner pirate,” Leach said to Taylor. “You ever heard of swing your sword? You are supposed to swing your sword like this (up high). You're swinging your's like this (down low). You've got to find your inner pirate. A lot of times things just happen for a reason. We don't know why God wants it that way, but you can't make the best out of it, until you get back your inner pirate. You might be the luckiest man alive and not even know it.”
December got off to a solemn note for the college football world when Leach, the Mississippi State head football coach, died on December 12 following complications from a heart condition. He was 61-years-old.
The death of Leach was selected the Top Local Sports Story of the Year for 2022 by The Daily Times Leader.
"Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape,” MSU President Mark Keenum said in a statement. “His innovative "Air Raid" offense changed the game. Mike's keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation's true coaching legends. His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike's profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.”
Born in Susanville, California, and raised in Cody, Wyoming, Leach became known for the creation of the Air Raid offense during his time with Hal Mumme at Wesleyan College, Valdosta
State and Kentucky.
Leach became the head coach at Texas Tech after serving a stint as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. He was also the head coach at Washington State before coming to Starkville to work with the Bulldogs.
In his 21 years as a head coach, Leach had a 158-107 record. His final win was a 24-22 decision at Ole Miss on November 24.
"Mike was an innovator, pioneer and visionary,” MSU Interim Athletic Director Bracky Brett said in a statement. “He was a college football icon, a coaching legend but an even better person. We are all better for having known Mike Leach. The thoughts and prayers of Mississippi State University and the entire Bulldog family are with his wife Sharon, his children and the entire Leach family."
Leach appreciated good football and that something that continued to be the case at West Point High School in 2022. The Green Wave enjoyed another successful season and a seventh-straight state championship game appearance.
Even though the run did not result in a victory for his team as Picayune won the Class 5A State trophy 31-21, West Point head coach Chris Chambless was very proud of the progress.
“We had a good year,” Chambless said. “We got better as the year went on, and that was the whole point. We didn't win it in the end, but our guys played hard, they competed every game, and you've got to be proud of that.”
In another big story for Mississippi State in the stretch of the year, John Cohen resigned as athletic director and took the same job at Auburn.
Keenum asked Brett if he would serve as interim director of the Bulldogs as a national search for Cohen's permanent replacement took place.
“Since that time, countless people have contacted me to offer their support and to ask how they can help Mississippi State University's athletic department during our period of transition to a new Athletic Director,” Brett wrote in a letter to MSU supporters. “My answer to each of them has been consistent: be optimistic, be present and vocal at our games, and support the NIL efforts of our friends at The Bulldog Initiative.”
There were accomplishments for various Bulldog sports as the softball program make its first-ever appearance and hosted an NCAA Super
Regional, while the soccer team made a return to the NCAA Tournament.
In the spring, MSU wide receiver Austin Williams picked up the Holbrook Award, which is considered the highest honor for a student athlete in the Southeastern Conference.
The Bulldogs hired basketball coaches in March with Chris Jans taking over the men's program and Sam Purcell selected to lead the women. *