Top 10 Facts About American Football Coach Mike Leach

Mike Leach is one of the most successful coaches in American football history. He has won multiple bowl games, been honored with numerous coaching awards, and earned a place among college football’s elite. Here are ten facts about this legendary coach

1. Mike Leach was born in Susanville, California on March 9th, 1961. He attended Brigham Young University for his undergraduate degree and received his master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy.

2. After college, Leach began his coaching career as an assistant at Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo in 1987 before becoming head coach at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1989.

3. In 2000, Mike Leach took over as head coach at Texas Tech University, where he enjoyed a ten-year tenure and the most successful period in the school’s history. During his time at Texas Tech, Leach led the Red Raiders to eight bowl games, including a victory in the 2006 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.

4. With an impressive 84-43 record at Texas Tech, Mike Leach was named Big 12 Coach of the Year twice (2008 and 2009). He is also one of only three coaches in NCAA Division I Football Subdivision history with 10 or more wins in six consecutive seasons.

5. Following his success at Texas Tech, Mike Leach accepted a job as head coach at Washington State University in 2012 and has since gone on to become the winningest coach in the school’s history.

6. In 2016, Mike Leach became the first Pac-12 Conference coach to be named AP National Coach of the Year. He is also one of only three coaches in major college football history with at least 10 wins in seven consecutive seasons (2012-2018).

7. During his time as head coach at Washington State, Mike Leach has won three bowl games, including a victory in the 2019 Alamo Bowl over Iowa State University.

8. In 2020, Mike Leach was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his achievements as a coach. He joins an elite group of players and coaches who have contributed significantly to the game and shaped its future.

9. Mike Leach is well-known for his interest in the game of pirates and has even written a book about them titled “The Pirate Shipwreck: An Adventure with Pirates.” He is also an avid traveler, having visited over 80 countries around the world.

10. Most recently, Mike Leach accepted the head coaching position at Mississippi State University and he will look to bring success to the program as he did at Texas Tech and Washington State. With his impressive experience, enthusiasm for teaching, and remarkable track record, it’s sure to be an exciting year ahead for the Bulldogs under Coach Leach!