Mike Leach - RIP

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What a stupid requirement. You can be an incredible innovator that winds up changing the very way the game is played, but because you did it at schools without the most resources, you're not a Hall of Famer?
 
Several years ago, Washington State played at USC on a Saturday. Two days later, we went to a Mexican restaurant in Irvine for dinner and I swear Mike Leach was there. He was sitting not too far away. I brought up photos on my phone to compare.

I just wondered why would Mike Leach be in Irvine on Monday after playing USC on Saturday. Didn't he go back to Pullman with the team? He was with a woman. From the body language, obviously not a hookup, they appeared to just be friends.

I rarely approach celebrities in restaurants because I choose to honor their privacy. I did not talk with him that night. I remembered this when the current news came out.
 
When was this requirement put in?

Leach's credentials surpass Jerry Claiborne, a Hall of Fame coach, along with a few others already inducted.

From what I could find, at least since 2014

Leach is two wins short -- I don't think there's any doubt they waive that rule for him.
 
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If there's a time requirement, waive that, too.

A coach becomes eligible three years after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. He must have been a head coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage

Selection Process | College Football Hall of Fame

It mentions a committee to consider special cases for players but not coaches. However I expect they will find a way to get him in. And three years isn’t a bad wait. I suspect the family might not be far enough along in the grieving process to truly soak it all in next summer.
 
Guess what Mike Leach’s career winning percentage would be if he coached Mississippi State to a bowl win this season?
 
I just realized that one of the many sub-tragedies here is that not only is Mike Leach dead, the bowl game State was to play in used to be the Outback Bowl. We could've gotten 10 solid minutes on whether it was preferable to be the Bloomin' Onion team or the coconut shrimp team.
 
The admiration for Leach today is a revelation, considering how he was held in relative contempt in many corners.

I have no doubt that was mainly because of his politics. Which makes me wonder if we are too quick to denounce an individual with differing political views. There's more to a man than his politics.
 
I never once heard about Leach's politics. From his persona I'd guess he'd swing libertarian.

Chris Fowler mentioned this on ESPN this morning: These guys don't take care of themselves. Leach looked like the guy who'd close the bar at 4 a.m. and crawl into the office at 8. Not my place to judge that and I've done a fair bit myself, but it catches up with you.
 

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