Lessons from Great Coaches for Today’s Leaders Series: Mike Leach
My connection with Mike Leach began in 1999 when he was hired as the Offensive Coordinator at the University of Oklahoma. He arrived alongside new head coach Bob Stoops, stepping into a program steeped in tradition but coming off a difficult stretch. While Stoops was already a respected defensive mind fresh off a national title run at Florida, Leach was largely unknown to me. That changed quickly—not because of his wit or eccentric personality, but because of the offense he unleashed in Norman. For a program once synonymous with Barry Switzer’s ground-and-pound Wishbone, Leach’s pass-heavy, fast-paced attack was revolutionary. It was my first exposure to his courageous, trailblazing approach to the game. My admiration only deepened as he took the helm at Texas Tech in the Big 12, and later when I read his 2013 book, Swing Your Sword. From that point on, I followed his career—and his impact—closely, right up through his passing in 2022 and beyond.
MIKE LEACH
March 9, 1961 – December 12, 2022
Few coaches have left a legacy as distinct and impactful as the late Mike Leach. Known for his Air Raid offense and offbeat interviews, Leach wasn’t just a football coach—he was a cultural phenomenon, a strategic innovator, and a masterclass in authentic leadership.
“Swing Your Sword” - Mike Leach
Leach earned a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine Law School in 1986, a rare credential among football coaches. But his greatest lessons weren’t found in courtrooms—they were carved out on sidelines and locker rooms from Lubbock to Pullman to Starkville.
He authored Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and Life, a fitting title for a man who did exactly that—lead with boldness, authenticity, and conviction.
Authentic, Unconventional, Unapologetically Himself
Mike Leach defied the mold in every way. He was curious about everything, questioned everything, and rarely entered a room with an agenda. As actor Matthew McConaughey once said:
“He’s one of the most unique people I’ve ever met… His free association is epic. Nobody has the ability to free associate like this guy. He starts going and you’re thinking, ‘Where are you going with this?’ And then his reset line is always, ‘Well, the thing is…’”
Leach was quirky, no doubt. But his eccentricity was never a gimmick. It was a reflection of someone deeply authentic and infinitely interested in the world around him.
Innovative & Trailblazing
Leach revolutionized college football with the Air Raid offense. His system spread the offensive line, gave quarterbacks more time, and flooded the field with receiving options. A fast-paced, no-huddle approach from the shotgun—his innovation forced an entire industry to adapt.
He didn't just draw up plays—he changed the game.
Courageous Leadership
Leach was unafraid to challenge norms. Whether it was game strategy, team culture, or university politics, he stood firm in his convictions. Being different requires courage—and Mike Leach had it in spades.
“He had such conviction and confidence… There wasn’t any second-guessing it. This is what we’re going to do. It’s going to work.” — Bob Stoops, former Oklahoma head coach
Influence That Echoes
Leach's coaching tree is a forest of leaders. From Lincoln Riley to Kliff Kingsbury to Josh Heupel, his influence spans generations of coaches. And that impact didn’t stop with strategy—it shaped culture, character, and conviction.
“He’s got fantastic ingenuity… He’s just so smart and really is a great guy, and a great coach.” — President Donald Trump
Witty, Brilliant, and a Bit Pirate
Leach’s wit was legendary. He could talk about football, politics, pirates, or wedding planning—and make it sound like Shakespeare met stand-up comedy.
On Weddings:
“Go elope. Trust me on that… Once it’s over, they’ll be upset for a few days, but then you’ll have a happy marriage, have a happy life.”
On Pirates:
“Sometimes a pirate beats a soldier.” “I ought to have Mike’s Pirate School… Freshmen get the bandanna, seniors get the sword.”
An Impressive Career
Mike Leach Air Raid
Few coaches left a mark on college football quite like Mike Leach. He didn’t just win games—he challenged convention, shattered expectations, and turned playbooks into art.
But beyond the X’s and O’s, Leach was a courageous, authentic leader—one who was unapologetically himself and fiercely committed to his players. His passion for the game was matched only by his wit, and his influence continues to ripple through locker rooms and sidelines across the country.
In 2000, after stints at Kentucky and Oklahoma, Leach took over a subpar Texas Tech program that had one of the worst graduation rates in all of major college football. A decade later, Leach had guided Tech to unprecedented on-field success and the highest graduation rate of any public university in major college football. Leach spent seven seasons as the head coach at Washington State before moving to Mississippi State in 2020.
He has also served as TV analyst for CBS College Sports and host of the daily College Football Playbook show on SiriusXM.
He is native of Cody, Wyoming, and graduated from Brigham Young University. He earned his J.D. from Pepperdine Law School in 1986. Leach and his wife, Sharon, have four children.
A true original, Leach was innovative, unconventional, and brilliant, known as much for his Air Raid offense as for his offbeat press conferences and colorful metaphors about everything from pirates to weddings.
Record: 158–107 as a head coach (2000–2022)
He won 2 conference Championships:
1 Big 12 South Division (2008)
1 Pac-12 North Division (2018)
He earned many awards as a head coach:
AFCA Coach of the Year (2018)
George Munger Award (2008)
Woody Hayes Trophy (2008)
2× Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2015, 2018)
Big 12 Coach of the Year (2008)
He led Texas Tech to national prominence—on the field and in the classroom—turning the program into a winner and a model for graduation success. He later resurrected Washington State football and brought new energy to Mississippi State.
His Legacy Lives On
After 22+ years as a head coach, Mike Leach's legacy is deep and impressive:
Assistant coaches under Leach who became college head coaches:
Dave Aranda: Baylor (2020–present)
Zach Arnett: Mississippi State (2023)
Art Briles: Houston (2003–2007), Baylor (2008–2015)
Jeff Choate: Montana State (2016–2020), Nevada (2024–present)
Sonny Dykes: Louisiana Tech (2010–2012), California (2013–2016), SMU (2018–2021), TCU (2022–present)
Dana Holgorsen: West Virginia (2011–2018), Houston (2019–2023)
Seth Littrell: North Texas (2016–2022)
Greg McMackin: Hawaii (2008–2011)
Ruffin McNeill: East Carolina (2010–2015)
Lincoln Riley: Oklahoma (2017–2021), USC (2022–present)[116]
Ken Wilson: Nevada (2022–2023)
Players under Leach who became college or NFL head coaches:
Neal Brown: Troy (2015–2018), West Virginia (2019–2024)
Sonny Cumbie: Louisiana Tech (2022–present)
Josh Heupel: UCF (2018–2020), Tennessee (2021–present)
Kliff Kingsbury: Texas Tech (2013–2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019–2023)[116]
Eric Morris: Incarnate Word (2018–2021), North Texas (2023-present)
His influence transcends wins and losses. It lives on in the playbooks of dozens of programs and the hearts of those he inspired.
No matter if you're at the helm of a vast organization, guiding your most valued team - your family, or steering your own personal journey, here are five invaluable leadership lessons inspired by the legendary Coach Mike Leach
Mike Leach Leadership Lessons
5 Timeless Leadership Lessons from Coach Mike Leach
Be Authentic: Use the personality and gifts God gave you. You don’t need to blend in to stand out.
Be Courageous: Bold leadership is necessary when blazing new trails.
Stay Curious: A curious mind breeds brilliance and fuels strategic thinking.
Remain a Student: Lifelong learning is the key to lasting impact and innovation.
Inspire and Influence: Care deeply. Lift others. Leave a legacy that extends beyond yourself.
Mike Leach wasn’t just a football coach. He was a teacher, a pioneer, a storyteller, and a pirate with a playbook. His life reminds us that the best leaders don’t follow paths—they chart their own.
“Swing your sword.”
Until next time - Expect to Win!
JIM
#xp2win
