Mississippi State announces public memorial ceremony for Mike Leach
The Mississippi State state community will get a chance to come together and mourn the loss of late Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach next Tuesday at Humphrey Coliseum. The school announced the memorial ceremony, open to the public, will begin at 1 p.m. CST with doors opening an hour before.
Leach died on Tuesday due to complications from a heart condition after dealing with pneumonia throughout the season. He was hospitalized over the weekend. He was 61.
Along with being open for the public to attend in-person, the ceremony will also be streamed vis ESPN.
Further details about speakers, day-of parking and streaming will come available shortly according to a press release announcing the memorial.
Rival Lane Kiffin released a touching message about Leach
Hired to lead SEC East rival squads in the same offseason, Lane Kiffin and Mike Leach brought character and hilarity to the state of Mississippi from the very beginning. Following the passing of the 61-year-old Mississippi State head coach, Kiffin reacted to Leach’s death with a powerful message on Tuesday.
“I truly loved Coach Leach and every minute I shared with him,” Kiffin said. “I have been able to work with several of his former players and coaches and they have told so many amazing stories about the impact he had on their lives.
“Going back to our years together in the Pac-12, I have always felt tremendous respect and admiration for coach, his unique personality and his innovative mind, and I can’t imagine college football without him. I’m grateful to be a part of his final win, hug him and watch him walk off like the winner that he is.
“I know God is welcoming the Pirate home now.”
In the duo’s last faceoff in the 2022 Egg Bowl, Leach’s Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 24-22. It was the Pirate’s lone win in the rivalry series after losing the game in 2020 and 2021.