Mississippi State honors Mike Leach as Bulldogs play first home game since legendary coach’s death

Mississippi State president Mark Keenum and athletic director Zac Selmon offered Mike Leach’s circle of relatives with a framed jersey in a rite after the first quarter of the Bulldogs’ game vs. Southeastern Louisiana. It was once the group’s first home game since Leach’s death in December. The circle of relatives additionally gained a signed government order that mandated state flags be flown at half-staff following his death.

Leach died on Dec. 12 at age 61 after he was once hospitalized as a result of a center situation. He had simply wrapped up his 3rd common season with this system, posting an 8-4 file and preserving the Bulldogs’ 13-year bowl streak alive.

The Bulldogs additionally venerated Leach throughout their ReliaQuest Bowl victory via dressed in pirate flag helmets. It was once a nod to the famed offensive guru, who amongst many different quirks, was once an avid pirate fanatic. In the bowl game, Mississippi State covered up in Leach’s famed air raid formation for the first play of the competition.

But Saturday’s game marked this system’s first likelihood to provide tribute to Leach and his circle of relatives in entrance of a home crowd. Though he spent handiest 3 years of his storied occupation at Mississippi State, he made a vital have an effect on throughout that point. Leach was once liable for the advance of quarterback Will Rogers, who’s the SEC’s all-time chief in completions.

Leach’s Mississippi State tenure was once book-ended via large wins. In his first game, the Bulldogs knocked off reigning nationwide champion LSU in 2020. In his ultimate game, the Bulldogs defeated arch rival Ole Miss 24-22.