Bob Stoops expresses heartfelt condolences to Mike Leach, family following his passing

The college football world is mourning the loss of one of the most interesting and vibrant members of its community in Mike Leach. The former coach of Mississippi State, Washington State, Texas Tech and many others, left an indelible impact on his former players and staff. Including former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, who Leach served under as offensive coordinator with the Sooners for just one year in 1999 before moving on to his first division one head coaching gig with Texas Tech.

Tuesday morning, upon hearing the passing of his former colleague, Stoops posted a message to his Twitter account offering up his condolences on the news. Here was that message:

“RIP Mike my friend, you’ll always be cherished by Sooner Nation! Love and peace to Sharon and your children.”

Bob Stoops also included a picture of he, Leach and several other coaches on that ’99 Oklahoma staff. You can check that out right here:

RIP Mike my friend, you’ll always be cherished by Sooner Nation! Love and peace to Sharon and your children. pic.twitter.com/BunOTeLuTC

— Bob Stoops (@CoachBobStoops) December 13, 2022

A nice gesture from Bob Stoops. And lest we forget who was the quarterback of that 1999 Sooners team? None other than current Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. He transferred into Norman after two years at a small college in Utah, and Leach turned him into a 3,400-yard passer and captain of one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country.

With his connections to Leach, Heupel also posted a message on Twitter Tuesday morning thanking Leach for all he’d done for his career while honoring him as the legend he is. Here was what he said:

“I am heartbroken on the passing of Coach Leach. In 1999, he gave a kid out of Snow College in Utah a shot at major college football. He saw something in me when no one else did. Like so many across out sport, I am grateful for Coach Leach’s impact on my life both personally and professionally. His offensive philosophy and vision were ahead of his time, and they continue to shape the game today. Off the field, he was one of a kind. An incredible storyteller, a man full of wisdom. And someone who always cared about his former players and coaches. I enjoyed our friendship over the years. My deepest condolences go out to Coach Leach’s family, his wife Sharon, his kids and grandkids and the entire Mississippi State football program.”

Sad, sad day in the college sports world. RIP Coach Leach.