Washington State University Athletics

In his eight seasons leading Washington State (2012-19), Mike Leach transformed Cougar Football into one of national prominence, and in doing so, left an indelible mark on the program’s history. He was the perfect fit for Cougar fans when he arrived to reignite the program back to national prominence. He did just that, and in a way only Leach could. From his customary walks through downtown Pullman to and from his office at Gesa Field, to his weekly press conferences where topics ranged from the toughest college mascot to Bigfoot sightings to wedding advice. They became must-see TV. Though he was captivating behind a microphone, what Mike Leach did best was coach football. As WSU’s head coach, Leach impacted the program like few have, taking the Cougars to six bowl games in eight years, the first in 2013 ending a 10-year bowl drought at WSU, and concluded his tenure with five-straight postseason trips. No Cougar head coach had delivered three-straight bowl seasons, let alone five. An architect of the Air Raid offense, Leach’s teams led the nation in passing four times at WSU, never finishing outside the Top 9 nationally. In 2018, WSU capped its 11-2 season with an Alamo Bowl victory and No. 10 national ranking, the most wins in school history as Leach was named AFCA National Coach of the Year. During his time in Pullman, Leach combined for a 55-47 overall record after the program had gone 29-66 in the eight years prior to his arrival. Twice he was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year while mentoring 11 NFL Draft picks, another 10 players who made NFL rosters and five All-Americans. During his head coaching career, Leach coached for 21 seasons at WSU, Texas Tech and Mississippi State, amassing a 158-107 (.596) record, leading his teams to 19 bowl games, and being named National Coach of the Year twice.