Mississippi State ladies’s basketball coach Sam Purcell paid tribute to Mike Leach on Thursday night time, donning a Hawaiian shirt like the long-lasting soccer coach so typically did.
The touching transfer got here in the course of the Bulldogs’ 72-47 dwelling victory over Florida A&M, simply two days after the 61-year-old Leach died following a coronary heart assault suffered at dwelling on Sunday.
The varsity introduced Monday that Leach was in vital situation and the beloved coach handed away the next day, prompting an outpouring of well-wishers together with Purcell.
‘Hopefully he is trying up from above and he was proud,’ he informed reporters after his tribute on Thursday night time.
‘However I feel like anyone, what an awesome man and that was simply my two cents to throw somewhat love for a man that we’re actually gonna miss.’
Purcell added that Leach referred to him as his ‘vogue buddy’ over their shared love of garments after the previous was employed by Mississippi State, and Purcell is way from the one particular person with fond recollections of the eccentric play-caller.
Leach (left) handed away Monday night time on the College of Mississippi Medical Middle
Actor Matthew McConaughey remembered the coach on Twitter after his loss of life, praising the revolutionary offensive thoughts as a ‘gem’ alongside a photograph of the pair.
‘My good friend Mike Leach moved on yesterday,’ he mentioned within the submit.
‘One of the vital curious, ingenious, unbiased minded wild males to ever stroll the earth. He was a gem like no different. Put a prayer up there for his his spouse Sharon and their youngsters.
Whereas Leach achieved nice success on the sector, he was additionally recognized for his humorousness.
He routinely ventured into surprising territory along with his press availabilities, discussing matters comparable to sweet, marriage and pirates at size and thus bringing a refreshing little bit of persona to a sport that always takes itself very severely.
After the loss, Mississippi State College President Mark E. Keenum added, ‘Coach Mike Leach forged an incredible shadow not simply over Mississippi State College, however over your entire school soccer panorama.
‘His progressive ”Air Raid” offense modified the sport. Mike’s eager mind and unvarnished candor made him one of many nation’s true teaching legends. His passing brings nice disappointment to our college, to the Southeastern Convention, and to all who cherished school soccer.
The video board at Davis Wade Stadium shows a message in reminiscence of Leach on Tuesday
‘I’ll miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open strategy to pursuing excellence in all issues.
Leach was recognized for popularizing the pass-heavy Air Raid offense, and was in his third yr teaching Mississippi State after profitable stints with Texas Tech and Washington State.
He had a 158-107 report as a coach.
