‘You changed my life’: College football world reacts to coach Mike Leach’s death

After coach Mike Leach died Monday night, his players, former assistant coaches and opposing coaches all flooded social media to praise what Leach, one of college football’s greatest innovators and most irreverent personalities, meant to them.

Leach, 61, spent 21 seasons as a Division I head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State. He amassed 158 wins and 16 winning seasons while helping to usher in a new era of college football with his “Air Raid” offense. 

But more than the X’s and O’s, most remember Leach for his quirky personality, his dry humor and his proclivity to ramble about obscure topics — from candy corn to weddings to Bigfoot. 

Here are several notable reactions to Leach’s death:

USC coach Lincoln Riley, who coached under Leach at Texas Tech: “You will certainly be missed, but your impact on so many will live on. Thankful for every moment. You changed my life and so many others.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban, who coached against Leach in the SEC: “Mike Leach was a friend, and we are deeply saddened by his unexpected passing. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mike over the last several years. I never knew quite where our conversations were going, but they always made me smile. He was an offensive innovator who always did things his way and was admired for it. His teams were well coached and extremely challenging to defend. They played with poise and toughness, which is a credit to his leadership.”

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, who threw for 34 touchdowns this season in Leach’s offense: “I was in 1st grade when Graham [Harrell] threw the ball to [Michael] Crabtree against Texas. Thank you for giving me a chance as a 17 year old. From Wazzu, to Mississippi State I will never forget everything you taught me and the relationship we had. I will see you again someday coach.”

Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, who played under Leach at Texas Tech: “There is no way I’d be where I am today if not for Mike Leach and everything he taught me about the game. Truly one of the most innovative minds in football, he was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a friend and one of the most special people I’ve ever met. … Our sport was better because of Mike Leach and is far less interesting without him.”