Mike Leach - RIP

I’ve long contended he had a mild form of autism or Asbergers.

 

So who gets the gig? Does he have a former assistant that would be a natural fit? Graham Harrell maybe?

 

Dan Mullen. They could do worse.

 

Would be nice if every SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12 bowl team wore a pirate sticker or something on the helmet for their game.

 

I thought about that for SEC schools, but the most obvious symbol is the skull and crossbones and even Leach might have found that a little too macabre. A sword maybe? I agree it would be good to have something besides the usual initials in a black circle.

 

A cutlass would be a nice touch.

 

I have no doubt that he was in some way "neuroatypical", as the term is used nowadays (and I would note that his apparent success in all walks of life is a lesson in how such a diagnosis shouldn't necessarily lessen a person's potential). What strikes me in watching the clips of him making the rounds today is how his affect never changes - his expression and tone of voice never waver at all, and he never chuckles or shows any sort of emotion.

 

Carpentry, connections and Chick-fil-A: How D-II Valdosta State became an FBS coaching springboard

Today's news made me look back on this Athletic story from a few years ago. During a stretch of the late '90s and early '00s, Valdosta State had five assistants who went on to become FBS head coaches of varied success: Leach, Morriss, Smart, Muschamp and Holgorsen.

Not bad for a college team that's a second-class (third?) citizen to the city's high schools. There's a reason why Valdosta State plays in a stadium decked in Valdosta High colors.

 

I mean, they do have a point.

 

RIP and understanding he gave great interview, but to me he seemed like an unlikeable jerk.

 

Very much so.

The obits and social media posts are, for obvious reasons, focused on the positives: he was a brilliant offensive coach and a great quote. He also was easy to reach and would talk to anyone, so a lot of sportswriters were inclined to love the guy.

He also treated his players like shit and was viewed as virtually unhireable after his (very successful) stint at Texas Tech. When he finally got the WSU job it took him one season to be investigated for mistreating players.

He was probably a lot of fun to be around if you were hanging out at a Key West bar. I wouldn’t have sent my kid to play for him.