Who Is Mike Leach (American football coach)? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Mike Leach was born on March 9, 1961, and he tragically passed away on December 12, 2022, at the age of 61. He was an influential figure in college football, renowned for his aggressive air-raid offense. As a head coach, Leach had notable stints at Texas Tech University, the University of Washington, and Mississippi State University. His unique approach to football and engaging personality earned him a loyal following among fans and players alike. You can find more about his life and career on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Football Coach |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1961 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | Susanville, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 12 December, 2022 |
| Died Place | Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
Popularity
Mike Leach (American football coach)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Mike Leach was approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall. While exact weight figures varied throughout his life, he typically maintained a weight of around 220 lbs (100 kg). His physique reflected his active lifestyle as a coach and former player, although specific measurements such as chest, waist, and biceps are not publicly documented.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Mike Leach was married to Sharon Leach, and the couple had three children together. Although not much is publicly known about his private relationships, Leach often spoke fondly of his family and the importance of family bonds in his life. Following his passing, his family revealed just how much he cherished his role as a father.
His father Frank was a forester and the family moved around several times while Leach was growing up, before finally settling in Cody, Wyoming. Leach was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While growing up in Cody, he joined Boy Scout Troop 58 and earned the rank of Eagle in 1975.
Leach graduated from Cody High School in 1979; he played football there from 1975 to 1978 and was recruited to play at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. An ankle injury he sustained in high school ruled out playing college football, so he played rugby instead.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Mike Leach had an estimated net worth of approximately $8 million. His salary as a head coach varied significantly over the years, with reported earnings peaking around $5 million annually during his tenure at Mississippi State. Throughout his career, Leach was known for navigating lucrative contracts that recognized his success and innovations in college football.
In February 2009, Leach signed a three-year contract extension with Texas Tech that would have paid him at least $2.5 million per year if he had stayed through 2013. Leach's guaranteed compensation would have been $1.6 million in 2006, $1.65 million in 2007, $1.75 million in 2008, $1.85 million in 2009 and $2.15 million in 2010.
Career, Business, and Investments
Mike Leach’s coaching career spanned over two decades, with significant stops at several universities. He popularized the air-raid offensive system, influencing countless coaches at all levels of football.
In addition to his coaching duties, Leach was also involved in various media opportunities, including television appearances and podcasts, where he shared his insights on football and life. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore various business ventures, but most of his focus remained on football coaching and strategy.
He inserted Kliff Kingsbury at quarterback for three years. Kingsbury broke the NCAA records for completions in a career. Kingsbury was succeeded at the position by B. J. Symons, who produced the most passing yards in a season in NCAA history.
Sonny Cumbie followed, leading the Red Raiders to an upset of the then-4th ranked California in the 2004 Holiday Bowl. Cody Hodges succeeded Cumbie, and subsequently led the NCAA in passing. Graham Harrell, the first non-senior starting QB since Kingsbury, struggled early in the 2006 season.
However, he showed steady improvement beginning with the game against Iowa State and ended the season with a record-setting comeback victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Harrell also set NCAA records for passes completed in a season and career amongst others.
Social Network
Mike Leach maintained a modest presence on social media, particularly on Twitter, where he frequently interacted with fans and shared his thoughts on various topics, including football and life philosophies. His quirky and candid tweets were a significant aspect of his personality, contributing to his popularity among fans.
During his post-game press conference after the 2007 loss against Texas, Leach used most of his time to rail against the officiating crew for what he felt were bad calls.
He speculated that the officials may have favored Texas because the head official lived in Austin, because they were incompetent, or possibly because the conference wanted Texas to appear in a BCS bowl because of the increased appearance fees that such a bowl generates for the conference.
Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press wrote, "Leach was upset officials disallowed two Tech touchdowns in the third quarter. The first was overruled when video replay clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. On the next play, a touchdown pass was negated by a holding penalty.
Leach also wanted, but didn't get, a flag for roughing the quarterback." The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported, "Big 12 policy prohibits coaches from commenting publicly about game officials, so Leach's actions leave him open to reprimand, fine or worse." ESPN reported, "Big 12 official spokesman Bob Burda did not immediately respond to telephone
messages seeking comment.
Leach's rant will likely draw a fine from the league and possibly a suspension."
Education
Mike Leach attended Brigham Young University (BYU) before transferring to the University of the Pacific, where he completed his college education. After earning his bachelor's degree, Leach continued his path in the world of academia, obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University. His educational background informed much of his strategic thinking and approach to coaching throughout his career.
Michael Charles Leach (March 9, 1961 – December 12, 2022) was an American college football coach who primarily coached at the NCAA Division I FBS level. Nicknamed "the Pirate", he was a two-time national coach of the year, three-time conference coach of the year and the mastermind behind the NCAA record-setting air raid offense.
He was the head coach at Texas Tech University from 2000 to 2009, where he became the winningest coach in school history. After Texas Tech, he coached at Washington State University from 2012 to 2019, where he recorded the third-most wins of any coach in school history.
He then coached at Mississippi State University from 2020 until his death in 2022.
