88R8320 JRI-D
By: Holland H.R. No. 35
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt by
the family, friends, colleagues, and former players of pioneering
football coach Mike Leach, who passed away on December 12, 2022, at
the age of 61; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of 21 seasons as a head coach at
Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State Universities,
Mr. Leach became a beloved figure in the sport of college football,
known not only for his influential, high-powered offenses but also
for his wit, curiosity, and wide-ranging interests; and
WHEREAS, Born on March 9, 1961, in Susanville, California,
Michael Charles Leach was the son of Frank Leach and the former
Sandra Rich; he was raised in Cody, Wyoming, where he became an
Eagle Scout before going on to earn a bachelor's degree from Brigham
Young University, a master's degree from the United States Sports
Academy, and a juris doctor degree from the Pepperdine University
Caruso School of Law; after completing his legal studies in 1986, he
decided not to become a lawyer and instead embarked on a career as a
football coach; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leach got his start at California Polytechnic
State University in 1987, and he later held posts at the College of
the Desert and in a European football league; in 1989, he was hired
as offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan University under head
coach Hal Mumme; the innovative, record-setting "Air Raid" offense
they developed led the two to subsequent stops at Valdosta State
University and the University of Kentucky; Mr. Leach then joined
the coaching staff at the University of Oklahoma, taking over a
middling Sooner offense that became one of the nation's top units in
just one season under his direction; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, Mr. Leach became head coach at Texas Tech,
and during his 10 seasons at the helm, he guided the Red Raiders to a
bowl game each year and his 84 victories made him the winningest
football coach in the university's history; the highlight of his
tenure came in 2008, when the team won 11 games, and he received
three national Coach of the Year awards; he went on to spend eight
seasons as head coach at Washington State, where he compiled a 55-47
record and was selected the 2018 American Football Coaches
Association National Coach of the Year in addition to garnering two
Pac-12 Coach of the Year accolades; in 2020, he took the reins at
Mississippi State and led the Bulldogs to three bowl appearances,
recording an 8-4 mark in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leach was passionate about education, and his
teams routinely set records for GPA and graduation rate; he taught a
collegiate course on insurgent warfare and football strategies and
authored two books, the bestseller Swing Your Sword: Leading the
Charge in Football and Life and Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of
an American Warrior; moreover, he was a gifted mentor, and many of
his assistant coaches went on to successful head-coaching careers;
and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Leach enjoyed the love and
support of his wife, the former Sharon Smith; they became the
parents of four children, Janeen, Kimberly, Cody, and Kiersten, and
they later welcomed six grandchildren into the family; and
WHEREAS, A singular presence in the sport of college
football, Mike Leach was admired for his honesty, intellect, and
irreverent personality, and his myriad achievements will continue
to be admired for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Michael Charles Leach
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Sharon Leach; to his daughters, Janeen Clark, Kimberly Betty,
and Kiersten Leach; to his son, Cody Leach; to his father, Frank
Leach; to his sisters, Lindsey Andrus, Mary Quackenbush, and Cara
Williams; to his brother, Tim Leach; to his six grandchildren; and
to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mike Leach.