Thanks, John, I really needed this article today. College football is so messed up right now, I guess I really needed you to remind me why I love it so much...it's not just the games, it's the people you meet along the way, the stories they tell and the stories that you create with them along the journey.
Your article today really hit home. Wade is a great friend, and I got to know Coach Leach well enough during his time in Pullman that my daughter and I were lucky enough to able listen to him hold court around the island in his kitchen after several Pac-12 "after dark" games. I really miss coach, and I miss those days when college football wasn't so "complicated".
I love all of your articles, it's why I subscribe. I guess I just wanted you to know that today's article really helped re-center my brain, and helped me remember why I truly love college athletics...it's the people you meet and get to know along the way.
Thanks Greg, for your first paragraph (and everything you said). You encapsulated up front the way I'm feeling too -- and I suspect many Cougs are feeling the same way. Well said.
I met Mike Leach once, at the SeaTac airport. We were both flying to Pullman. He was sitting alone and I didn't want to both him, but I decided to at least say a quick hello. That quick hello turned into a 20 minute discussion about the guy that invented the twist off bottle cap. 🤣. He was quite a guy.
Mike Leach is the best thing that ever happened to Cougar Football. It's really too bad that the standard he set hasn't been upheld by university leadership over the years. Alas, we're back to "good enough". CML is definitely missed...in a lot of ways.
It actually started with President Elson Floyd's death from cancer. He set the tone and was the leader of the Floyd, AD Moos, CM Leach trio. Once Floyd was gone and the Board of Regents hired Kurt Schultz, Moos left and Leach left. AD Chun and the rest is current history. One bad hire or GOOD hire at the top sets the tone and culture. I also miss having Leach on the planet. Met him several times. I have friends all around the country, alumni from competing teams, that would listen in on his press conferences- they all loved him.
GREAT points. Thank you. The loss of President Floyd was a truly big deal for the path WSU was on - in both academics and athletics. That era of Floyd/Moos/Leach was a turning point for the university as a whole. I was fortunate enough to work, a bit, with President Floyd and his team in one of my previous career stops, and only met Coach Leach twice, but they were both people that I looked up to and admired.
Duck fan here. I know Mike Leach is well remembered for his great quotes and personality. But the thing I remember most is what a terrific football coach he was. He got the maximum performance from his teams. It was always a challenge to face the Cougs. He had the Midas touch on the gridiron.
Perhaps it was a blessing that he did not have to deal with all this new crap. I would love to here what he thought of it but not sure how he would deal with it. He was not one to put up with bullshit very well.
Life is precious. We have to enjoy our time here; tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
I miss Mike Leach. If CFB ever had a mascot, it was Mike Leach. I became a fan of his when he locked that rich, bratty kid in an equipment shed at Texes Tech. Leach may have saved that spoiled brat’s life that day.
Since Leach’s way to soon passing, I see random clips about Mike’s pregame/postgame press speeches. There are some really great ones, like him talking about the best halloween candy. The way he went off the topic of football reminds me of how you, John, go off topic to generate discussions from your readers. Thanks, John, for keep Leach’s spirit alive in CFB.
Very touching story, John. Everyone who is into college football knew who Mike Leach was. Those of us over 60 know how short life is and how abrupt the end can be. I just lost a friend three weeks ago to cancer. I lost my father in 2023 and my mom in 2018. When we are in our 20s, the "world is our oyster". Life does not seem to have an end, or at least it is well over the horizon and we just can't see it. You get to my age, 69, and it is now up and within eye sight. Cherish every minute.
Very grateful to you, John, for keeping Coach Leach's life and legacy in front of us. He was talented and unique. Like you wrote, never boring. I always looked forward to halftime so I could hear him and see how the sideline reporter handled questions to him. He will always be missed by many!
Having Coach Leach in the Pac12 for those years was pure gold. So many memories. The Cougs and the Pac12 are better for it (ditto with your coverage of it JC). I'm hoping OSU brings the Air Raid to Corvallis.
JC I lost my wife in October and on my birthday…we had been together 42 years Sept 24. What I have learned while not only dealing with a profound sense of loss but the deep humanity of our many friends who have made this Christmas special. Reading about Mike Leach brings a soul to life, albeit a whiskey glass, an icon of sport who truly put the student athlete first. Any WSU and beyond parent out there will tell you what good hands they endured their son. College football tradition ..gone,
Mike Leach, the consummate life coach, father and family patriarch..gone..Oban single malt to a life will lived. Thank you John…remember there are angels among us.
As a Cougar fan, I greatly appreciate Mike Leach's efforts in Pullman. He embraced the school immediately and stayed for eight years. Non-Cougar fans don't remember that he inherited perhaps the worst program in NCAA history. They had set records for margin of loss and one year they never even led in a game. It was a disaster.
Leach built it from the ground up with a bunch of 3-star athletes, who were tough. Leach did it his way, from the Midnight Maneuvers practices, yes, at midnight in the winter in 10 degree or colder weather. He wasn't afraid to bench players who were having an off game, even QB legend Luke Falk. At times he was maddening, I was there for the Portland State and EWU losses in Pullman. I didn't get it. A few weeks later he's beating good Stanford and Oregon teams. Huh?
My friend has a theory that if he'd stayed in Pullman, he'd be alive today. He was walking six miles a day too and from work up and down huge hills. He was getting his morning energy drink. Life was good and the football program was great. I really enjoyed Leach and his time in Pullman.
There are lots of great Cougs out there. Mike is definitely one of them, but rather than just thinking of him being great I keep hitting on how he made the Cougs great. Some will say that's an overstatement....no Rose Bowls, only one Apple Cup and a so so Bowl record, but I am not thinking about just on the field. He brought WSU back to relevancy and did it in a way not only Cougs remember. Never a dull moment in Coug Football with that man. I'm very appreciative of that time and the memories.
Thanks, John, I really needed this article today. College football is so messed up right now, I guess I really needed you to remind me why I love it so much...it's not just the games, it's the people you meet along the way, the stories they tell and the stories that you create with them along the journey.
Your article today really hit home. Wade is a great friend, and I got to know Coach Leach well enough during his time in Pullman that my daughter and I were lucky enough to able listen to him hold court around the island in his kitchen after several Pac-12 "after dark" games. I really miss coach, and I miss those days when college football wasn't so "complicated".
I love all of your articles, it's why I subscribe. I guess I just wanted you to know that today's article really helped re-center my brain, and helped me remember why I truly love college athletics...it's the people you meet and get to know along the way.
Go Cougs!
Greg
Money comes and goes, relationships last.
So very true.
Thanks Greg, for your first paragraph (and everything you said). You encapsulated up front the way I'm feeling too -- and I suspect many Cougs are feeling the same way. Well said.
Go Cougs!
Mike Leach and Bill Walton. Each a one of a kind personality and similar in many ways. Miss them both tremendously.
I met Mike Leach once, at the SeaTac airport. We were both flying to Pullman. He was sitting alone and I didn't want to both him, but I decided to at least say a quick hello. That quick hello turned into a 20 minute discussion about the guy that invented the twist off bottle cap. 🤣. He was quite a guy.
Mike Leach is the best thing that ever happened to Cougar Football. It's really too bad that the standard he set hasn't been upheld by university leadership over the years. Alas, we're back to "good enough". CML is definitely missed...in a lot of ways.
Go Cougs.
After Leach left, Wazzu Coug’d it.
Can't disagree...even though I really dislike the term "Coug'd It". That's exactly what the administration did.
You must be new to this board. Replying to this kid is akin to picking a scab. Go Cougs!
It actually started with President Elson Floyd's death from cancer. He set the tone and was the leader of the Floyd, AD Moos, CM Leach trio. Once Floyd was gone and the Board of Regents hired Kurt Schultz, Moos left and Leach left. AD Chun and the rest is current history. One bad hire or GOOD hire at the top sets the tone and culture. I also miss having Leach on the planet. Met him several times. I have friends all around the country, alumni from competing teams, that would listen in on his press conferences- they all loved him.
Elson was a great man. Hopefully, the newest transplant from Mizzou will also bring great things to the Cougs!
GREAT points. Thank you. The loss of President Floyd was a truly big deal for the path WSU was on - in both academics and athletics. That era of Floyd/Moos/Leach was a turning point for the university as a whole. I was fortunate enough to work, a bit, with President Floyd and his team in one of my previous career stops, and only met Coach Leach twice, but they were both people that I looked up to and admired.
I miss them both.
Duck fan here. I know Mike Leach is well remembered for his great quotes and personality. But the thing I remember most is what a terrific football coach he was. He got the maximum performance from his teams. It was always a challenge to face the Cougs. He had the Midas touch on the gridiron.
I remember Leach beating Oregon and telling me, "I beat 'em with my guys. Imagine what I could do to 'em with theirs."
We seemed to never “game plan” that, IDK, Leach and the cougs weee going to pass the ball!!!
Perhaps it was a blessing that he did not have to deal with all this new crap. I would love to here what he thought of it but not sure how he would deal with it. He was not one to put up with bullshit very well.
Can imagine he'd have had thoughts.
John, thank you for a note of calm and reflection in this chaotic time of year.
And Best to you and your beautiful family. You are all a blessing. Charlie
Life is precious. We have to enjoy our time here; tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
I miss Mike Leach. If CFB ever had a mascot, it was Mike Leach. I became a fan of his when he locked that rich, bratty kid in an equipment shed at Texes Tech. Leach may have saved that spoiled brat’s life that day.
Since Leach’s way to soon passing, I see random clips about Mike’s pregame/postgame press speeches. There are some really great ones, like him talking about the best halloween candy. The way he went off the topic of football reminds me of how you, John, go off topic to generate discussions from your readers. Thanks, John, for keep Leach’s spirit alive in CFB.
Craig James' kid. CJK5H
CFP: Mike Leach Memorial Playoff Tournament 32 teams, 1 National Championship.
Best thing I've read in awhile!
Very touching story, John. Everyone who is into college football knew who Mike Leach was. Those of us over 60 know how short life is and how abrupt the end can be. I just lost a friend three weeks ago to cancer. I lost my father in 2023 and my mom in 2018. When we are in our 20s, the "world is our oyster". Life does not seem to have an end, or at least it is well over the horizon and we just can't see it. You get to my age, 69, and it is now up and within eye sight. Cherish every minute.
Very grateful to you, John, for keeping Coach Leach's life and legacy in front of us. He was talented and unique. Like you wrote, never boring. I always looked forward to halftime so I could hear him and see how the sideline reporter handled questions to him. He will always be missed by many!
Having Coach Leach in the Pac12 for those years was pure gold. So many memories. The Cougs and the Pac12 are better for it (ditto with your coverage of it JC). I'm hoping OSU brings the Air Raid to Corvallis.
JC I lost my wife in October and on my birthday…we had been together 42 years Sept 24. What I have learned while not only dealing with a profound sense of loss but the deep humanity of our many friends who have made this Christmas special. Reading about Mike Leach brings a soul to life, albeit a whiskey glass, an icon of sport who truly put the student athlete first. Any WSU and beyond parent out there will tell you what good hands they endured their son. College football tradition ..gone,
Mike Leach, the consummate life coach, father and family patriarch..gone..Oban single malt to a life will lived. Thank you John…remember there are angels among us.
Merry Christmas 🎄
As a Cougar fan, I greatly appreciate Mike Leach's efforts in Pullman. He embraced the school immediately and stayed for eight years. Non-Cougar fans don't remember that he inherited perhaps the worst program in NCAA history. They had set records for margin of loss and one year they never even led in a game. It was a disaster.
Leach built it from the ground up with a bunch of 3-star athletes, who were tough. Leach did it his way, from the Midnight Maneuvers practices, yes, at midnight in the winter in 10 degree or colder weather. He wasn't afraid to bench players who were having an off game, even QB legend Luke Falk. At times he was maddening, I was there for the Portland State and EWU losses in Pullman. I didn't get it. A few weeks later he's beating good Stanford and Oregon teams. Huh?
My friend has a theory that if he'd stayed in Pullman, he'd be alive today. He was walking six miles a day too and from work up and down huge hills. He was getting his morning energy drink. Life was good and the football program was great. I really enjoyed Leach and his time in Pullman.
JC - Agreed!
There are lots of great Cougs out there. Mike is definitely one of them, but rather than just thinking of him being great I keep hitting on how he made the Cougs great. Some will say that's an overstatement....no Rose Bowls, only one Apple Cup and a so so Bowl record, but I am not thinking about just on the field. He brought WSU back to relevancy and did it in a way not only Cougs remember. Never a dull moment in Coug Football with that man. I'm very appreciative of that time and the memories.