The Mississippi State football team is set to pay tribute to its late head coach Mike Leach during the team’s season opener on Saturday.
Leach, who spent the final three seasons of his legendary coaching career in Starkville, will be honored throughout the contest in what will be the first game at Davis Wade Stadium since his passing.
Notable remembrances will be visible including a presentation with the Leach family at the conclusion of the first quarter.
Leach became the 34th head coach in Mississippi State football history on January 9, 2020. He led the Bulldogs to bowl games in all three seasons of his tenure, defeating seven AP Top 25 opponents along the way – the third-most such wins ever by a Bulldog head coach.
“Even though his tenure was short in Starkville, Coach Mike Leach left a legacy at Mississippi State that will last forever,” SportsTalk Mississippi and Thunder & Lightning host Brian Hadad said. “He is one of the greatest legends in the history of college football, and it was incredible to be able to cover his team on a daily basis.”
Leach passed away on December 12, 2022, at the age of 61. He spent 21 total years as a collegiate head coach, racking up 158 career wins and two national coach of the year honors while changing the game as the author of the Air Raid offense.
The Bulldogs will take on Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. The game can be watched on the SEC Network or streamed on participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations.
