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

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•12/28/22•

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Photo by Karl Anderson/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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 Dec. 12. 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.”

Arkansas football honors Mike Leach with uniform, helmet design

Teams across the college football landscape have been paying their respects and honoring late Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach. On Tuesday, ahead of their Liberty Bowl matchup against Kansas, Arkansas revealed its uniform addition honoring Leach.

On the back of the Razorbacks’ helmets on Wednesday will be a decal with the name “Mike.” The “I” in the decal will be replaced with Mississippi state’s signature cowbell with a skull and crossbones, a sign for pirates. The skull and crossbones represent Leach’s nickname, The Pirate. The design can be seen in the picture below.

The Razorbacks join a list of other programs across the country honoring Mississippi State’s longtime head coach. Leach was a widely respected and appreciated offensive mind in college football. He is also known as the father of the air raid offense. The loss of the longtime head coach will be felt for quite some time. Still, the gesture made by Arkansas, an SEC West rival of Mississippi State, shows that there are things bigger than rivalries.