By Fred Cromartie, Ed.D. |
United States Sports Academy alumnus Mike Leach was announced Thursday as the new head football coach at Mississippi State University. The university’s athletic director John Cohen announced the hiring on Thurday afternoon, and now the spotlight will shine on Leach.
Named the Academy’s 2002 Alumnus of the Year, Leach is one of college football’s most innovative offensive minds. In his 18 years of coaching with stops at Texas Tech University and Washington State University (WSU) Leach has produced some of the nation’s top passing attacks. It has been reported that WSU for 3 out of the past 5 years was rated as the top passing program and never fell out of the top 10 nationally in passing. Additionally, at WSU he directed the program to a 55-47 record and appeared in 5 bowl games.
At Texas Tech Leach was a consistent winner with the Red Raiders for 10 seasons with an 84-43 record and 9 bowl appearances.
Coach Leach, the Academy family extends a hearty welcome to the SEC and the SEC West division. We look forward to watching you unleash your offensive innovations and aerial attack on the likes of Alabama, Auburn, LSU as well as others.
Having developed talent and winning teams at your previous coaching stops there is plenty of confidence that you will be focused on your new mission which is to be Ole Miss, win the Egg Bowl, and build a winning program that competes in bowl games. Go Bulldogs!!
Dr. Cromartie is the Director of Doctoral Studies at the United States Sports Academy.