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LOOK: Oklahoma honors Mike Leach with helmet patch at Cheez-It Bowl

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•12/29/22•

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Andy Lyons | Getty Images

Ever since the tragic passing of Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach, programs from across the country have gone out of their way to honor one of the sport’s biggest personalities. Now, another one of his former programs has revealed yet another touching tribute to their former staff member.

Ahead of their appearance in the Cheez-It Bowl this afternoon, the Big 12 tweeted out a photo of Oklahoma’s helmets which today feature a pirate flag in Leach’s honor. The tweet came with his ‘Swing Your Sword’ phrase as well as the Sooners prepare to play in his honor.

Leach spent one season in Norman as offensive coordinator and QB coach under Mike Stoops back in 1999. His arrival helped Oklahoma shoot up from 16.7 points per game in ’98 to 35.8 points per game, which was sixth in the nation, in that ’99 season.

His resume also featured stops at Kentucky, Texas Tech, Washington State, and, finally, Mississippi State over the last three seasons.

Losing Leach this month was a shock to the college football world and shook every program he spent time at. However, tributes like these show just how impactful he was to the sport everywhere he went.

WATCH: Texas Tech takes penalty to pay tribute to Mike Leach

Wednesday’s Texas Bowl marks Texas Tech’s first game after the passing of late former coach Mike Leach earlier this month. The Red Raiders paid tribute to “The Pirate” before the game and did so on their first play from scrimmage, as well — even taking a penalty in the process.

The offense lined up in the “Air Raid” formation, honoring the system Leach and Hal Mumme came up with while they coached at Iowa Wesleyan in the 1990s, and took a delay of game penalty. Leach brought the offense to Texas Tech in 2000 and his tenure ended with an 84-43 record, including a 47-33 mark in conference play during that time.

Appropriately, Texas Tech lined up in the formation against Ole Miss — the last team Leach defeated before his death at age 61 on December 12th. The Rebels declined the penalty.

Before the game, Texas Tech unveiled stickers on each player’s helmet featuring a black and white skull with cross swords — the symbol for Leach’s nickname, “The Pirate.”