LISTEN: Mike Leach was a giant of the game, and the world is darker without him in it
The entire college football community collectively mourned the passing of legendary, long-time head coach Mike Leach on Tuesday.
Leach died at 61 following a cardiac event that necessitated Leach being rushed to the hospital over the weekend. He never recovered.
Ben Garrett and David Johnson share their thoughts on Leach and his legacy in this edition of Franchise Player, a site-crossover podcast of the Ole Miss Spirit (On3) and Inside the Rebels (247).
They also provide the latest in Ole Miss football recruiting, including a pair of transfers visiting the Rebels on Tuesday. Here’s a brief excerpt from their 30-plus-minute conversation.
COLUMN: College football will not be the same without The Pirate, Mike Leach
BEN GARRETT
I have loved college football for as long as I can remember. It has been one of the most important things in my life. It was my life’s passion. Everyone kind of messes with me because I’m very nerdy about some things, including football and analytically looking at football in a different way. Who was the shepherd of that? Mike Leach.
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I had an obsession with Mike Leach. He influenced so much of what I believe in this sport, this passion that I love so much. Mike Leach meant a lot to a lot of people. He’s one of those transformative figures for a lot of us. To think he doesn’t exist on this earth anymore is a tragic and awful and terrible thing. All of us are sad today. Mike Leach had a legacy. A real legacy. That’s better than most any of us will ever get. I’m thankful for the time I got and the impact he had on my life in one of the things I’m most passionate about in this world. I hate that he’s gone. I hate it.
DAVID JOHNSON
I first became aware of Mike Leach way back when he was at Valdosta State. I was covering Delta State. Of course, they would play once a year. I guess it was back in 2010. I was at SEC Media Days. Mike Leach was in between coaching gigs at the time. I got on an elevator and Mike Leach was on the elevator.
He was promoting his book, ‘Swing Your Sword.’ We had a nice conversation there on the elevator, talking about the the old Gulf South Conference days and everything. Such a pleasant man. You never knew what you were going to get. A true giant of the game. He should be remembered that way as well. It’s just heartbreaking. Our hearts break for the Mississippi State fan base. More importantly, Sharon and their children. It’s something the college football world is united behind. Just a terrible, terrible thing. We shall always remember him as the giant that he was.
Talk of Champions · Mike Leach was a giant of the game, and the world is darker without him in it
