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LOOK: Texas Tech pays tribute to former head coach Mike Leach

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•12/12/22•

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Mike Leach Texas Tech
Donald Miralle / Staff PhotoG/Getty

Mike Leach suffered a major medical incident on Sunday, according to a press release from Mississippi State. This has led to an outpouring of support from around the college football world for Leach, sometimes referred to as ‘The Pirate.’ That includes from one of his former schools, Texas Tech.

On the Texas Tech Football account, the Red Raiders posted a photo of the video board at Jones AT&T Stadium. On it is a photo of Mike Leach in front of a pirate flag and the phrase, “Swing your sword,” which is a kind of mantra of Leach’s. The caption also read, “#SwingYourSword.”

You can look at the tribute, here:

Current Red Raiders head coach, Joey McGuire, quote tweeted the photo with the hashtags #SwingYourSword and #WreckEm.

Mike Leach coached at Texas Tech from 2000-2009. While there, he built Texas Tech into one of the Big 12’s best programs, compiling a record of 84-43 with five top-25 finishes and a bowl berth in every season he was the head coach there.

His tenure ended at Texas Tech due to his mishandling of a player’s concussion and refusal to apologize. Mike Leach believed he didn’t do anything wrong and filed a wrongful termination lawsuit. So, it’s good to see that Texas Tech was able to put those issues behind them and wish him well.

Mike Leach reportedly suffered a major heart attack

According to a report from the Clarion Ledger, Mike Leach suffered a major heart attack, as well as possible brain damage due to seizures that he also reportedly suffered.

The report also says that Mike Leach collapsed while in his home and it took between 10-15 minutes for him to receive medical attention. Once EMTs arrived, they needed to use a defibrillator machine on him to restore a normal heart rhythm. He was then taken by helicopter to UMMC.

The situation surrounding Mike Leach’s health is apparently dire, and four of his children are already with him while the other two are on their way to him.