December 13, 2022
22-180
Jessica Pope
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator
Kit Strief, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Mourns the Loss of Former Blazer Football Assistant Coach Mike Leach
Mike Leach came to Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Athletics in 1992 to work with newly hired Blazer Football head coach Hal Mumme; the duo had been at Iowa Wesleyan College where they set numerous offensive records.
Leach served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 1992 to 1993. He then served as offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, and quaterbacks coach from 1994 to 1996.
Leach and Mumme brought the "Air Raid" offense with them to Valdosta, as they helped lead Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø to its first appearances in the NCAA Division II football playoffs in 1994 and 1996.
While at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø, Leach helped the Blazers finish third nationally in passing at 349.3 yards per game and 15th in total offense at 425 yards per game in 1995. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø led the Gulf South Conference in both categories and was third in scoring offense at 26 points per game.
The 1996 season was a year to remember as Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø won its first football league title, finishing 10-3 overall and 6-2 in Gulf South Conference play.
Leach, a two-time National Coach of the Year, was in his third year at Mississippi State when he reportedly died Monday, Dec. 12, from heart condition complications. He was 61. His full coaching biography may be found at .
Newsroom
- Office of Communications Powell Hall West, Suite 1120
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1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698 - General Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Information
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- Phone: 229.333.2163
- Phone: 229.333.5983