Josh Heupel shares heartfelt message over passing of Mike Leach, who coached him in college

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 current Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, who remembers, once upon a time, when a kid from Snow College was offered a shot to play on the big stage at Oklahoma by an offensive coordinator named Mike Leach.

Leach helped kickstart a wonderful career in football for Heupel — who has his best years ahead of him as a coach. And for that, Coach Heupel is forever grateful. He shared those sentiments in a message on Twitter following Leach’s passing. You can read the full thing right here:

“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.”

Heartfelt and sincere from Josh Heupel. The Tennessee head man is just one of the very many current coaches and players who can call Leach a mentor. Such an outpouring of respect for one of the greats on the day he passed.