Current, Former, Future Big 12 Coaches React to Mike Leach Hospitalization
Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach was hospitalized on Sunday having suffered a “personal health issue” at his home. The University has confirmed this news in a statement released on Sunday.
Since the news, which many fear may be incredibly serious, several coaches with ties to Leach, who spent much of his early coaching career in the Big 12 Conference, have reacted to the news on social media.
Current Big 12 coaches, notably Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire, plus former Big 12 coaches like Lincoln Riley and Gary Patterson have put out tweets, along with former and future Big 12 coach Dana Holgorsen.
Others with Big 12 ties, notably Oklahoma, where Leach was the offensive coordinator in 1999, have also reacted to the news.
“Mississippi State University Head Football Coach Mike Leach had a personal health issue at his home earlier today,” the school said in a statement. “That issue led to a decision to transfer Coach Leach to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson by ambulance.”
“That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding Coach Leach’s condition, and the university will make no other comment at this time other than to say that the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and Sharon and their family.”
Leach has been at Mississippi State since before the 2020 college football season. Prior to that he spent eight seasons at Washington State, which was preceded by his time at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2009, where he led the Red Raiders to a Big 12 South division title in 2008. In 36 games since joining the Bulldogs, he is 19-17 and has led the team to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons.
Mississippi State football is set to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on New Year’s Day in Tampa, Florida. For now, Leach has not been ruled out. Instead, the school said defensive coordinator Zach Arnett is in charge of the program until Leach’s return.
