Mike Leach remains in critical condition following reported heart attack

We finally got an update on Mike Leach and the Pirate needs your thoughts and prayers now more than ever. Mississippi State released a statement saying that Leach remains in “critical condition” at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Yesterday, the 61-year-old suffered what the school is calling a “personal health issue” at his home in Starkville and was taken to the hospital.

“Mississippi State University head football coach Mike Leach remains in critical condition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson,” the statement reads. “Mike’s family is with him and appreciates the overwhelming expressions of love and support for the coach, but also requests that their family’s privacy be respected at this time.

“That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding Coach Leach’s condition, and the university will make no other comment at this time. MSU will issue additional information via social media when it becomes available.”

Update on MSU Head Coach Mike Leach: pic.twitter.com/t4e8dPy4YO

— Sid Salter (@sidsalter) December 12, 2022

Mississippi State’s update is understandably short on details, but the Clarion-Ledger is reporting that Leach suffered a “massive heart attack” and may have had seizures that could lead to brain damage.

According to multiple sources, Leach, 61, collapsed at his home in Starkville, but did not receive medical attention for between 10 to 15 minutes. EMTs used a defibrillator machine and delivered multiple shocks to restore normal heart rhythm.

After he was stabilized at Oktibbeha County Hospital, he was transported by helicopter to UMMC.

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It appears, according to sources, that Leach may have suffered seizures with the possibility of brain damage. Sources said the situation is dire.

At the end of the regular season, Leach told ESPN he had pneumonia during the season but was “feeling better.” Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has been placed in charge of the football team “until Coach Leach returns,” the school said. The Bulldogs play Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.

Mark Stoops “praying for a dear friend”

Social media has been flooded with love and support for Leach since the news broke. This morning, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops tweeted that he is praying for Leach, a “dear friend.” Prior to becoming a head coach, Leach was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Kentucky under Hal Mumme and also worked for a season under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma.

“Praying for a dear friend, Coach Leach, today,” Stoops tweeted. “Mike will always be a part of the Big Blue Nation from his time here in Lexington. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife Sharon, their four kids, and the entire Mississippi State family.”

Praying for a dear friend, @Coach_Leach, today. Mike will always be a part of the Big Blue Nation from his time here in Lexington. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife Sharon, their four kids and the entire Mississippi State family.

— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) December 12, 2022

Prior to Kentucky’s game vs. Mississippi State in October, Leach shared his respect for Mark Stoops and the Stoops family.

“I think he does a really good job,” Leach said of Mark Stoops. “I think he’s really a sharp guy and of course, I worked for his brother Bob and then went against Bob and Mike over the years there in the Big 12. They’re sharp. They’re kinda like one of the first families of defense type of deal and what makes it even tougher is anything they’re kind of having a problem with, they just get on the phone and call any two or three of their brothers and get a whole field of suggestions. And of course, Mark’s done a really good job there at Kentucky.”

Leach, who was on Kentucky’s staff from 1997-98, also recalled his love for Lexington, specifically on game days.

“Great atmosphere, you know, great atmosphere,” Leach said. “Packed tailgate outside there that starts about on Thursday. As I walked from my office, which was under the stadium at that time, you’d walk right through the tailgate section, which was awesome and it was easy to get distracted from time to time. It’s just a great place to have a game.”

Please get well soon, Pirate.