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Following the news of his untimely passing at the age of 61 years old on Tuesday, tributes to late Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach have been pouring in from all across the country.
And, unexpectedly, one of them came from Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. Given McConaughey’s virtual status as Mr. Texas and Leach’s nine-year stint at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2009, perhaps it isn’t all that surprising that the two had ties.
Taking to social media to pay tribute to the late coach, McConaughey brought his particular Texan charm in his message to his friend Mike.
“My friend Mike Leach moved on yesterday. One of the most curious, inventive, independent minded wild men to ever walk the earth. He was a gem like no other. Put a prayer up there for his his wife Sharon and their kids,” McConaughey said.
My friend Mike Leach moved on yesterday. One of the most curious, inventive, independent minded wild men to ever walk the earth. He was a gem like no other. Put a prayer up there for his his wife Sharon and their kids. pic.twitter.com/YnecDHFapr
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) December 13, 2022
Leach passed away earlier this week due to complications from a reportedly “massive” heart attack. Prior to coaching at Mississippi State, Leach was the head football coach at Washington State University and Texas Tech University.
In a statement confirming his passing, Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said that Leach’s passing casts “a tremendous shadow… over the entire college football landscape.”
“Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape. His innovative “Air Raid” offense changed the game. Mike’s keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation’s true coaching legends,” Keenum said in the school’s official statement.
“His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.”
Largely known for his quirky personality and viral responses to pre-and-post-game questions, Leach is also credited with helping proliferate the high-scoring “air raid” offense throughout college football in recent decades.
Despite the passing of Coach Leach, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will be playing in their upcoming bowl game, as one Mississippi State source reportedly said, “Mike would be pissed if we didn’t play… the bowl game is at a stadium with an actual pirate ship in it.”
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