Mike Leach

College coach infobox
Name = Mike Leach


ImageWidth = 120px
Caption = Mike Leach
Title = Head coach
College = Texas Tech
Sport = Football
Conference = Big 12
CurrentRecord = 70–37
DateOfBirth = birth date and age|1961|3|9
Birthplace = Susanville, CA
DateOfDeath =
Deathplace =
OverallRecord = 70–37
Contract = $1,650,000 [http://www.redraiders.com/stories/081206/foo_081206014.shtml "The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal": Leach to become $2 million man] ]
BowlRecord = 5–3
TournamentRecord =
CFbDWID = 1356
Championships =
Awards =
CoachingRecords =
Player =
Years =
Team =
Position =
Coach = Y
CoachYears = 1987
1988
1989
1989-1991
1992-1996
1997-1998
1999
2000-"present"
CoachTeams = Cal Poly (Assist.)
COD (Assist.)
Pori Bears
Iowa Wesleyan (OC)
Valdosta State (OC)
Kentucky (OC)
Oklahoma (OC)
Texas Tech
FootballHOF =
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Michael C. Leach (born birth date|1961|3|9 in Susanville, California) is the current head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team. Regarded as one of the most innovative offensive minds in college football, Leach has had a winning season every year since his tenure began at Tech. Wishbone formation creator Emory Bellard has stated that Leach does the best job of any offensive coordinator in the nation. [ [http://www.capcitysportsreport.com/past/november/offensive_mastermind.pdf CCSR Issue #6: Offensive mastermind] ]

Personal

Although born to Frank and Sandra Leach in Susanville, California, Mike Leach claims Cody, Wyoming as his hometown. He graduated from Cody High School before studying at Brigham Young University, where he closely followed the exploits of the Brigham Young Cougars. The Cougars, guided by head coach LaVell Edwards and offensive coordinator Norm Chow, played a pass-oriented offense. Leach graduated in 1983 with a B.S. in American Studies. [ [http://www.footballscoop.com/archives/coach-august.htm Coach of the Month ] ]

In 1986, Leach earned a law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Leach is also one of the most prominent graduates of the United States Sports Academy, from which he earned a Master's of Sports Science/Coaching in 1988. Leach is married with four children. He was raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [ [http://www.redraiders.com/stories/041400/foo_041400008.shtml Texas Tech Sports presented by The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal ] ]

Leach is atypical among NCAA Division I head football coaches, as he did not play football at the college level. He is one of only four such coaches, with Mark Mangino at Kansas, Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech, and Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.

Coaching career

Offensive scheme

Leach is known for building some very potent offenses, directing very prolific passing-oriented teams that have broken school and NCAA records at Valdosta State, Kentucky, Oklahoma, where he was offensive coordinator under Hal Mumme and Bob Stoops, respectively, and Texas Tech, where he became head coach in 2000. Leach's spread offense relies heavily on passing and he has seen several of his quarterbacks post NCAA records. At Kentucky he tutored prospect Tim Couch into a No. 1 NFL Draft Pick. At Oklahoma, Josh Heupel became an NFL draft pick following a year under Leach's tutelage.

Texas Tech

The Leach-coached Red Raiders' best finishes came with their nine-win seasons in 2002, 2005, and 2007. In 2002, Tech swept its in-state conference rivals Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M for the first time since 1997 and then defeated Clemson, 55–15, in the Tangerine Bowl. It was the Red Raiders' first postseason win since 1995 when they beat the Air Force Falcons in the Copper Bowl. In 2005, the Raiders opened their season with a 6–0 record, the best start since 1998, and defeated Oklahoma for the first time under Leach. Leach has built a strong passing offense at Tech. The Red Raiders have led the NCAA in passing yardage for four years in a row. At Tech, he inserted Kliff Kingsbury for three years. Kingsbury broke the NCAA records for completions in a career. Following Kingsburry, B. J. Symons stepped in, producing the most passing yards in a season in NCAA history. Sonny Cumbie jumped up leading the Red Raiders to an upset of the then-4th ranked California in the Holiday Bowl. Cody Hodges got called to duty, leading the NCAA in passing. Graham Harrell, the first non-senior starting QB since Kingsbury, struggled early in the 2006 season. However, he showed steady improvement beginning with the game against Iowa State and ended the season with a record-setting victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Under Mike Leach, Texas Tech has been known for its high-scoring offense and come-from-behind victories. A 70–35 win over heavily favored TCU in 2004 began with TCU leading 21–0 with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. Before Tech's scoring drives started, a TCU defensive back was caught mouthing into a TV camera, "They aren't going to score." Later in the season, Texas Tech beat Nebraska, 70–10, forcing the Cornhuskers to give up more points in a single game than they had before in their 114-year history. In 2005, the Red Raiders were losing to Kansas State, 13–10, late in the second quarter but won the game 59–20. Also in 2005, Tech had a halftime lead of 14–10 over Texas A&M. By the end of the game, they increased the margin to 56–17. It was the Aggies' worst loss to the Red Raiders in the 64-year-old series. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/magazine/04coach.html?ei=5090&en=c9f46201dc95f91d&ex=1291352400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all Coach Leach Goes Deep, Very Deep - New York Times] ] During the 2005 game against Texas A&M, Fox Sports Net featured a segment that focused on Leach's affinity for pirates.

Leach also coached the biggest comeback in NCAA Division 1-A history in the 2006 Insight Bowl versus the University of Minnesota. With Texas Tech trailing 38–7 in the third quarter, the Red Raiders shocked the Golden Gophers 44–41 in overtime, breaking the previous record for largest comeback in bowl game history with 31 points, topping BYU's 28 point comeback against SMU in the 1980 Holiday Bowl. In addition, Leach won the 2008 Gator Bowl after trailing 28–14 with 3:39 remaining, to win 31–28.

Mike Leach was chosen to coach the South team during the 2007 inaugural Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic game.

At the end of the 2007 season, Leach was 65–37 with the Red Raiders, including 6–2 against the Texas A&M Aggies and 1–7 against the Texas Longhorns. [Mack Brown Football.com] With a 5–3 record, he is the all-time winningest coach in postseason play in Tech football history. Leach is one of only sixteen active college football coaches who have never had a losing season. Of those, he is among nine who have been a head coach for at least five seasons. [ [http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/090307/col_090307027.shtml LubbockOnline.com - Texas Tech-SMU game facts 09/03/07] ]

In August 2006, Leach signed a five-year contract with Texas Tech that will pay him at least $10 million if he stays in place through 2010. Leach's guaranteed compensation will be $1.6 million in 2006, $1.65 million in 2007, $1.75 million in 2008, $1.85 million in 2009 and $2.15 million in 2010.

2007 Texas vs. Texas Tech controversy

During his post-game press conference after the 2007 game against Texas, Leach used most of his time to rail against the officiating crew for what he felt were bad calls. [cite news | url=http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/RR_Don/index.php?entry=entry071110-233952 | title=More on Leach's Rail Against Officials | work=LubbockOnline.net | publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|date=November 112007|accessdate=2007-11-11] cite news | url=http://www.redraiders.com/updates/postgame_update1.shtml | title=Texas rolls over Tech | | author=Williams, Don | work=RedRaiders.com | publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|date=November 112007|accessdate=2007-11-11] He speculated that the officials may have favored Texas because the head official lives in Austin, because they are incompetent, or possibly because the conference wants Texas to appear in a BCS bowl because of the increased appearance fees that such a bowl generates for the conference. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/11/11/1111golden.html | title=Leach goes off deep end with comments on officiating - Expect Tech coach to be fined, at least. | author=Golden, Cedric | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 112007|accessdate=2007-11-11] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/gen/ap/FBC_Texas_Tech_Leach_Rant.html | title=Texas Tech coach Leach rips officials after 59-43 loss to Texas | author=Vertuno, Jim | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 112007|accessdate=2007-11-11] Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press wrote "Leach was upset officials disallowed two Tech touchdowns in the third quarter. The first was overruled when video replay clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. On the next play, a touchdown pass was negated by a holding penalty. Leach also wanted, but didn't get, a flag for roughing the quarterback." [cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20071110-2036-fbc-texastech-leachrant.html |title=Texas Tech coach Leach rips officials after 59-43 loss to Texas | author=Vertuno, Jim | work=SignOnSanDiego.com |publisher=San Diego Union Tribune | date=November 112007|accessdate=2007-11-11] The "Lubbock Avalanche-Journal" reported, "Big 12 policy prohibits coaches from commenting publicly about game officials, so Leach's actions leave him open to reprimand, fine or worse." ESPN reported, "Big 12 official spokesman Bob Burda did not immediately respond to telephone messages seeking comment. Leach's rant will likely draw a fine from the league and possibly a suspension." [cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3104347 | title=Texas Tech coach Leach suggests Texas bias after loss | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company |date=November 112007|accessdate=2007-11-10]

On November 13, 2007, the Big 12 fined Leach $10,000, the largest fine in Big 12 history. [cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2007-11-13-texastech-leach-fine_N.htm|title=Texas Tech coach Leach gets largest fine in league history|publisher="USA Today"|work=Associated Press|accessdate=2007-11-13|date=2007-11-13] Leach also received a reprimand and was warned that further violations could result in suspension. [cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5297655.html|title=Texas Tech coach Leach fined for officiating remarks|publisher="Houston Chronicle"|accessdate=2007-11-13|date=2007-11-13|author=Durante, Joseph] In a Big 12 coaches' conference call that day, Leach added that he does not regret making any of the comments. [cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/111307dnspoleach.2039fa9d1.html|title=Texas Tech coach Mike Leach doesn't regret blasting officials|publisher="Dallas Morning News"|accessdate=2007-11-13|date=2007-11-13|author=Brown, Chip] Leach announced that he would appeal the fine. [ [http://colleges.beloblog.com Texas college sports news | College Sports Blog | The Dallas Morning News ] ] Tech alumni and fans began raising money to aid Leach in paying the penalty in the event that it was upheld. Optionally, the proceeds raised could be used charitably. [ [http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=7390918&nav=3w6y KCBD - NewsChannel 11 / Lubbock, TX: I Like Mike Campaign To Split Fine Funds With Area Kids] ] So, just before Christmas 2008, Leach requested that the nearly $5,000 raised to that point be spent on 400 hams to be given free to families in Lubbock. Future donations were to go to the university or athletic department. [ [http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/122207/red_228189932.shtml I Like Mike' funds to provide 400 hams | Avalanche-Journal] ] Following the 2008 Gator Bowl, in which Virginia scored twice on penalties against Tech for intentional grounding in the end zone, Leach joked, "I felt like we had a back there on the one safety, but I don't comment on officiating. I just give out hams is what I do." [ [http://www.redraiders.com/stories/010208/foo_010208008.shtml Texas Tech Sports presented by The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal] ]

2008 season

Leach, along with players Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree were featured on the cover of the 2008 edition of "Dave Campbell's Texas Football". [cite web|url=http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=26057|title=Campbell picks Cove to win District 12-5A|publisher="Killeen Daily Herald"|date=2008-06-17|accessdate=2008-06-20] The magazine predicted that the 2008 Red Raider football team would be the best in Texas and would challenge for the Big 12 South title. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/commons/persona.html?newspaperUserId=ayleein&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=ayleein&plckPostId=Blog%3AayleeinPost%3A78f57055-6577-469a-b772-1786e6c673ba&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest|title=Dave Campbell's Texas Football Cover|publisher="Houston Chronicle"|date=2008-06-12|accessdate=2008-06-20]

Head coaching record

CFB Yearly Record Subhead
name=Texas Tech Red Raiders
conf=Big 12 Conference
startyear=2000
endyear=CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2000
name = Texas Tech
overall = 7–6
conference = 3–5
confstanding = 4th (South)
bowlname = galleryfurniture.com
bowlopponent = East Carolina
bowloutcome = 27-40 L
ranking = –
ranking2 = –CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2001
name = Texas Tech
overall = 7–5
conference = 4–4
confstanding = T-3rd (South)
bowl = yes
bowlname = Alamo
bowlopponent = Iowa
bowloutcome = 13-16 L
ranking = –
ranking2 = –CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2002
name = Texas Tech
overall = 9–5
conference = 5–3
confstanding = T-2nd (South)
bowl = yes
bowlname = Tangerine
bowlopponent = Clemson
bowloutcome = 55-15 W
ranking = –
ranking2 = –CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2003
name = Texas Tech
overall = 8–5
conference = 4–4
confstanding = 4th (South)
bowl = yes
bowlname = Houston
bowlopponent = Navy
bowloutcome = 38-14 W
ranking = –
ranking2 = –CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2004
name = Texas Tech
overall = 8–4
conference = 5–3
confstanding = T-3rd (South)
bowl = yes
bowlname = Holiday
bowlopponent = California
bowloutcome = 45-31 W
ranking = 17
ranking2 = 18CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2005
name = Texas Tech
overall = 9–3
conference = 6–2
confstanding = T-2nd (South)
bowlname = Cotton
bowlopponent = Alabama
bowloutcome = 10-13 L
ranking = 19
ranking2 = 20CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2006
name = Texas Tech
overall = 8–5
conference = 4–4
confstanding = 4th (South)
bowlname = Insight
bowlopponent = Minnesota
bowloutcome = 44-41 W
ranking = –
ranking2 = –CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2007
name = Texas Tech
overall = 9–4
conference = 4–4
confstanding = T-3rd (South)
bowlname = Gator
bowlopponent = Virginia
bowloutcome = 31-28 W
ranking = 23
ranking2 = 22CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2008
name = Texas Tech
overall = 5–0
conference = 1–0
confstanding = T-1st (South)
bowlname =
bowlopponent =
bowloutcome =
ranking =
ranking2 = CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
name=Texas Tech
overall=70–37
confrecord=36–29CFB Yearly Record End
overall = 70–37
bcs = no


poll = two

Notable accomplishments

Texas Tech

* 8 consecutive winning seasons
* 8 consecutive bowl appearances
* 6 consecutive eight-win seasons
* 3 nine-win seasons
* 5 bowl wins (most by any individual coach in the history of the program)
* 3 seasons completed with team ranked in the Top 25
* 15–9 record against in-state conference rivals Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M
* 42–10 record at Jones AT&T Stadium, home of the Texas Tech Red Raider football team
* Coached 1 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner: Michael Crabtree
* Coached 1 Mosi Tatupu Award winner: Wes Welker
* Coached 3 Sammy Baugh Trophy winners: Kliff Kingsbury, B.J. Symons, and Graham Harrell
* More than 150 NCAA, Big 12 and school records broken [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3385098 Eccentric Leach ready to lead Red Raiders to ultimate treasure] ]

ee also

*2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
*2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team

References

External links

* [http://texastech.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/leach_mike00.html Player bio]
* [http://www.texastech.com/ Texas Tech Red Raiders website]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/magazine/04coach.html?ei=5090&en=c9f46201dc95f91d&ex=1291352400&adxnnl=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1165295348-QhCHlsh+0Ca3wU8ESozzZA "New York Times" article: "Coach Leach Goes Deep, Very Deep"]