Seattle, WA – Facing another opponent coming in on the second night of a back-to-back, the Seattle Kraken jumped all over the St. Louis Blues in blowout fashion. The Kraken were able to explode for three goals in the second period, while active and alert defensive play stymied a St. Louis team with firepower up and down the lineup. The past two wins have been assertive statements by Seattle that when they play their game, they’re not only exciting but also legitimately tough to beat. Seattle has a chance to head into the Christmas break on a three-game win streak, before closing out the calendar year with some key divisional matchups.
Deep into the first period, Seattle was able to catch the Blues in a change as Adam Larsson’s stretch pass threaded the needle through three skaters to Ryan Donato for a filthy goal. The Kraken rode the momentum from that goal, and their alert, active play style into an electric second period. Seattle upgraded their pace from a strong hum into a chorus of offensive mastery, having their way with St. Louis in the offensive zone. Blues goaltender Thomas Greiss was pelted with 16 shots, as Seattle scored three of those all in their own unique style. None of the top three Kraken scorers found the back of the net in this one, displaying the depth of Seattle’s attack. Ryan Donato discussed how the team’s momentum carried throughout the game.
“It’s cliche to say, but we played simple. Against a good team like that, you can’t give them too much. I think that for us, keeping that simple mindset, getting pucks from the defensemen to the net, holding onto pucks, it was definitely a benefit for us tonight. If we do that right things, we’re gonna get chances. When the chances don’t come as often, you try different things. Really, you should just bear down and do the simple things, and it’ll turn in your favor,” Donato remarked.
Halfway through the second frame, all Kraken defensemen Carson Soucy had to do was poke his stick out, redirecting a blocked shot by Will Borgen to double Seattle’s lead. Seven minutes later, Daniel Sprong decided he wanted to get in on the fun as he trailed the play perfectly, catching the Blues off guard. Morgan Geekie saw the Dutch forward flying ahead, found him in stride for Sprong to deke out Greiss to make it a three-goal lead. With their offense humming, leading goal scorer Jared McCann took his turn in the line as he collected his own rebound, that he then banked off Greiss’ pad into the goal. 10 minutes, three goals as the Kraken had St. Louis’ heads spinning.
The trend of Seattle’s stellar goaltending continued, as Martin Jones returned to solid form in this contest. In his first start since December 11th, Jones was rock solid from the opening faceoff, seeing the puck clearly and remaining calm the whole 60 minutes. The highlight of the night being his triple save on a Blues power play, Jones looked locked in just as he did in his past start after a string of ugly outings prior. The two goals that St. Louis scored in the third period were a case of Seattle getting too loose and getting away from their defensively active selves early on. In those instances, the Kraken left Blues skaters with plenty of room to operate twice. Outside of those two mistakes, Seattle locked down this previously high-flying Blues team and never allowed them to hit the ground running. Kraken goaltender Martin Jones discussed the win, postgame.
“We didn’t give them a lot of time and space, I thought we checked well all over the ice. They had a little push in the third, but I thought that up until then we didn’t give them a chance to get any momentum. We really smothered them,” Jones stated.
The Kraken will play one more game before the Christmas break, and like the last two games Seattle has played, it’s against a team that they haven’t beaten before. Seattle heads up North to Vancouver for a contest against the Canucks on Thursday, December 22nd with a 7PM PST puck drop. The Canucks have been thumped in their past two games, both times by a score of 5-1 and both times those respective teams headed down to play Seattle.
Seattle, WA – To begin a quick two game homestand ahead of the Christmas break, the Seattle Kraken were able to overcome two opening goals by the visiting Winnipeg Jets. Seattle emerged victorious by the same score from the last two times these teams met, back on November 18th. A late penalty cost the Kraken that game, and while Seattle did see two penalties result in goals for the Jets, the home team buckled down to score three unanswered goals. Timely saves by Philipp Grubauer locked down the Seattle net outside of Winnipeg’s power play goals, and the Kraken secured two points.
A reoccurring issue for this Kraken team has been trying to stay out of the penalty box. It’s clear that Seattle has issues on the penalty kill, their PK unit ranking third worst in the entire NHL, but it also doesn’t help that the Kraken cannot stay out of the box in the first place. Seattle had offensive flow to start the game, but it all came to a halt when two quick penalties by the Kraken starting defensemen pair both found wound up in the box. Winnipeg scored just four ticks into the five on three power play to wash away all Seattle momentum. In the second period, Will Borgen’s “holding the stick” penalty allowed the Jets to score 25 seconds into their power play on a rebound that wasn’t cleared. Despite these early troubles, the Kraken did not hang their heads but instead remained resilient. Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol discussed his team’s fight in the win.
“It’s the type of game where you have to stay with it, stay patient. We got a little impatient a couple times in the second period and gave up a couple outnumbered rushes, but there wasn’t a lot of that and in the third there was none. We stayed with it, scored a couple determined goals and came out with the win,” Hakstol reflected.
To continue the theme of resilience, Seattle’s offensive attack was able to keep itself locked into the game despite those two power play goals from Winnipeg squashing big Kraken attacking momentum. Seattle was finding passing lanes and starting a flow against a Jets team that was tired from playing in the second game of a back-to-back, and it was almost all negated by Winnipeg. The Kraken were able to finally break through a little over halfway through the second period thanks to a back-handed bar down goal from alternate captain Jordan Eberle. The highlight reel goal sparked Seattle’s attack, as the Kraken scored the next two goals of the game to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The two Seattle skaters that scored both talked about Eberle’s goal postgame.
“That is vintage Jordan Eberle, that’s what I grew up watching. Thats gonna make him sound a little older than he is but he’s been a leader for our team from the beginning, a guy that we rely on a lot and it’s good to see him score,” Jared McCann stated.
“It was disgusting. I always joke with him about his backhander, but after that it’s hard to give him a hard time about it. It was a pretty nice backhand for sure,” Ryan Donato reflected.
The Kraken will get a day of practice following this win, before they get back to action as they host the St. Louis Blues. The two teams will have a rematch of their mid-October contest, battling it out on Tuesday, December 20th with a puck drop of 7PM PST. The Blues will enter Climate Pledge Arena on the second game of a back-to-back, potentially bringing a four-game winning streak into Seattle if St. Louis leaves Vancouver victorious.
New Mexico- BYU took the win over SMU in the New Mexico Bowl 24 – 23 by stopping a 2 point conversion with only 8 seconds left in the game. SMU’s 2 point conversion attempt was a winner takes all situation but SMU’s Tanner Mordicai came up just shy of the goal line when he was tackled by BYU’s Jakob Robinson. This tackle decided who came away as the New Mexico Bowl winners. At the end of the game BYU head coach Kalani Sitake stated “I’m happy for our guys. Nothing warms your heart like a win.”
Mordicai stopped just shy of the goal line by Robinson (Photo by Jason Strother / fi360 News)
BYU’s Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters led the offense to 256 total yards, 209 rushing and 47 passing in his first career start. Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters scored BYU’s first touchdown of the game, followed up by Ben Bywater’s interception which was returned for BYU’s 2nd touchdown. Christopher Brooks put more points on the board with BYU’s 3rd and final touchdown of the game. Jake Oldroyd kicked 3 successful point afters and 1 successful field goal at 31 yards.
BYU Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters scrambles downfield gaining yards (Photo by Jason Strother / fi360news)
Tanner Mordecai led the SMU’s offense to 389 total yards, 171 rushing and 218 passing. Roderick Daniels Jr scored SMU’s first touchdown of the game, Tyler Lavine ran the ball from the 3 yard line for SMU’s second touchdown, and Jordan Kerley had an amazing touchdown catch with 8 seconds left in the game which brought SMU within 1 points of BYU. Collin Rogers kicked 1 field goal at 35 yards and 2 point after goals.
SMU Tanner Mordecai hands the ball off to Tyler Lavine (Photo by Jason Strother / fi360news)
BYU finished the season with a 8-5 season and SMU with a 7-6 season. Both teams are looking forward to next season but BYU will be joining the Big12 conference which will surely produce an exciting season for them.
SMU Jordan Kerley makes the endzone catch for 6 bringing SMU within 1 point of BYU (Photo by Jason Strother / fi360news)
Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
On Saturday night’s Frisco Bowl, the North Texas Mean Green and the Boise State Broncos renewed a minor rivalry between 1994 to 2000, where the teams met five times in their six-contest history. Tensions boiled throughout the game, creating a rivalry feeling as the Broncos tried to finish the season strong after a disappointing loss in the Mountain West conference finals against Fresno State.
Taylen Green goes in for a touchdown during the Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
Meanwhile, North Texas came off firing their head coach Seth Littrell thirteen days before Saturday’s game, where interim coach Phil Bennett took over duties. “We’re going to try to finish this season as a team,” Bennett said on Friday before the game. “[The players] are the ones that got us here. It’s a player’s game, and coaches are just fortunate enough to be involved in it.” The night started sluggishly for both teams on the offensive side, but halftime adjustments turned a defensive juggernaut battle into a track meet between Boise State and North Texas.
Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
In the end, Boise State’s two takeaways and their Frisco Bowl record rushing attack became too much to overcome for the Mean Green. “Don’t stress, just be comfortable,” offensive MVP Taylen Green said after the game in the 235-yard second-half rushing attack by the Broncos. “We were beating ourselves up. We had holding [and] false starts. We were pressing too much.” Green finished the night 13 for 22 for 137 yards and a touchdown pass but ran for 119 yards on 12 carries. Ashton Jeanty was the leading rusher with 178 yards on 28 carries with a touchdown.
It was a brisk start to the game for North Texas. After a pass interference penalty on the first play, the Mean Green took a third-down forty-yard shot from quarterback Austin Aune to Damon Ward. The Mean Green had to settle for a field goal to go up 3-0 early. Boise State’s next possession took twelve plays and forty-three yards, but the Broncos turned it over on downs at the Mean Green twenty-nine, coming up empty on a six-minute drive. After both teams punted, Aune threw a linebacker-seeking interception to Ezekiel Noa in the Mean Green redzone.
Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
The Broncos almost turned it back to North Texas, but a defensive pass interference call on Quinn Whitlock negated the red zone takeaway for the Mean Green. Boise State settled for a Jonas Dalmas field goal to even the game up at 3. “I thought we were ready to play,” Bennet told me when I asked about the defense in the first half. “I thought both sides were [but] I thought we wasted a couple of possessions in the second quarter. I thought Mike and I talked about it. He had a plan, and I thought we got better at that. I thought we were ready to play, and I think it showed.”
North Texas immediately answered with a 75-yard strike from Aune to Jordan Smart to set up the Mean Green inside the Boise State 15-yard line. The drive capped off with Ikaika Ragsdale’s one-yard touchdown run to put the Mean Green up 10-3 over the Broncos halfway in the second quarter. On the next drive, the Broncos drove to the Mean Green 25 on two completions equaling fifty yards (Green had two completions for two yards before those two completions). However, Boise State’s drive stalled again and settled for another Dalmas field goal, cutting the Mean Green lead to 10-6 at halftime.
Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
To start the second half, Boise State galloped out of the gate, which became an understatement on an offensive showcase third quarter. The first three runs went for 73 yards (Boise State had 133 yards at halftime). The drive capped off with Green’s three-yard keeper for the score. The Broncos went for two on a Connor Riddle pass to Mason Hutton to successfully complete the try putting Boise State up 14-10 early in the third. North Texas answered the Broncos’ touchdown with a seventeen-yard pass from Stone Earle to Jake Roberts. Earle faked the run, which left Roberts open for the score putting the Mean Green back up 17-14.
Boise State answered with four plays of fifteen or more yards on their next possession resulting in a Green pass to Eric McAlister, putting the Broncos back up 21-17. However, North Texas stormed back on their next possession with a Jyaire Shorter 30-yard touchdown catch and took the fourth lead change of the quarter (24-21 North Texas). Boise State capped off the quarter with another Green touchdown run that went nineteen yards. The Broncos lead 28-24 after three quarters in a period featuring 392 yards, 36 points, five lead changes, and 238 rushing yards combined.
Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
“We knew that we could do better at halftime,” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said about the third-quarter outburst. “We identified some formations; our offensive staff identified some formation where we can keep leverage on the fronts we were getting,” coach Avalos said on the second-half adjustments. “We were able to put Taylen in some positions to take advantage of the space on the perimeter, whether it was with his legs or with his arm.”
Aune underthrew his intended target deep, and Boise State’s Jaylen Clark intercepted him. Boise State capped the drive with a fourth down goal line run by Jeanty to extend Boise State’s lead to 35-24, the largest lead of the night by either side. However, North Texas didn’t panic on their next drive. They went ninety yards on eleven plays capping off on Ragsdale’s touchdown run (Aune with a two-point conversion run) to cut the Broncos’ lead to 35-32. Ragsdale finished the night with 94 yards on 21 carries, along with Aune’s 238 passing yards and 53 completion percentage (17 for 32). “We came ready to play and we played North Texas football,” Mean Green tight end Jake Roberts said after the game in the team’s resiliency. “I leave the field knowing I gave it everything I had and I’m sure the rest of the team does too.”
Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
North Texas had two chances late with zero yards on their final two possessions deep in their own territory, sealing the win for Boise State. “We walk about it all year, be resilient [and] staying in the fight on the defensive side,” defensive MVP Ezekiel Noa told me on the final two drives defensively for Boise State. “No matter what the situation is going on, good or bad, we always got to stay neutral. For us to keep playing our game on the defensive side because we know when we do that, we can be unstoppable.”
Taylen Green becomes the first Freshman in Frisco Bowl history to win offensive MVP, and the three-point win for Boise State is the smallest margin of victory in bowl history. Boise State overtakes North Texas in all-time contests 4-3 with their victory on Saturday.
Taylen Green back to pass during the Frisco Bowl 2022 North Texas vs Boise St (Photo by Jeff Dahlia / fi360 News)
New Mexico Bowl 2022 SMU Mustangs vs BYU Cougars. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
Albuquerque, NM- Most folks thought this would be all about the offense but with 0:08 left on the clock SMU choose to go for the win with a failed 2point conversion by Tanner Mordecai. BYU defense held one last time for the slim 24-23 Cougars victory in the New Mexico Bowl.
Maiava-Peters slips past a defender during the New Mexico Bowl 2022 SMU Mustangs vs BYU Cougars. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
BYU quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters got his first start of the year and went 7/12 passing for 47 yards but used his legs on 14 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s (Maiava-Peters) playing great, it’s how he practiced,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake, “We gonna let him loose.”
Mordecai hands off the football during the New Mexico Bowl 2022 SMU Mustangs vs BYU Cougars. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
The Cougars allowed the Mustangs to bring the game close in the 4th quarter with 13 unanswered points.
Tanner Mordecai almost led a comeback throwing for 218 yards with 2 touchdowns and a costly interception for the Mustangs.
Ben Bywater third pick of the season went for a pick 6 by reading a bubble screen and goes 76 yards to grab the lead 17-10 in the 3rd quarter.
Bywater with the interception with Mordecai watching from the ground during the New Mexico Bowl 2022 SMU Mustangs vs BYU Cougars. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
On the next drive they went 9 plays 82 yards capped off by 22-yard touchdown run by Brooks. This 9-play drive was all on the ground eating up the clock as increased their lead 24-10.
“We have to do a better job containing him (Maiava-Peters)” said SMU coach Rhett Lashlee.
New Mexico Bowl 2022 SMU Mustangs vs BYU Cougars. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
This was a grudge match to see who would be standing last. You have to tip your hat to SMU for going for the win and not playing for overtime.
Now BYU will take this bowl win and build on this next year going into spring practice with a bright future with Maiava-Peters all around game being dual threat.
New Mexico Bowl 2022 SMU Mustangs vs BYU Cougars. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
“It was a great game,” said Sitake, “Nothing warms your heart then to win a game.”
LA Bowl Washington State vs Fresno State at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca (Photo by Kevin Ballton / fi360 News)
Inglewood, CA – The Fresno State Bulldogs had too much bite as they dominated Washington State 29-6 to win the 2nd annual Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
Jimmy Kimmel and sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez were in the building to watch this Pac-12/Mountain West matchup.
LA Bowl Washington State vs Fresno State at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca (Photo by Kevin Ballton / fi360 News)
From the sound of the first whistle the Mountain West Conference champions looked like the much better team on the field in front of a mostly Fresno State crowd.
Fresno State drove down the field on their first drive and quarterback Jake Haener found senior wide receiver Zane Pope in the end zone to give the Bulldogs an early lead.
LA Bowl Washington State vs Fresno State at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca (Photo by Kevin Ballton / fi360 News)
Fresno added to their lead early in the 2nd quarter when senior running back Jordan Mims ran it in from four yards out to make it 14-0. The Cougars trailed 16-0 at the half and struggled mightily early.
Mims was the star of the game and named the offensive player of the year as he ran for a career high 205 yards and 2 touchdowns in his final collegiate game.
LA Bowl Washington State vs Fresno State at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca (Photo by Kevin Ballton / fi360 News)
“It felt surreal. I knew I had a pretty solid game. Our line did their thing and I followed them,” Mims said. “We always want to stick with the run game and pound the ball first. It was good for us to make plays on the ground and we can dish out here and there and throw shots.”
The second half was mostly the same as Fresno made the Mountain West Conference 2-0 against the Pac-12 in the LA Bowl.
LA Bowl Washington State vs Fresno State at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca (Photo by Kevin Ballton / fi360 News)
Fresno State finished the season winning their final 9 games after starting the season 1-4.
“We set history today. Every guy in that locker room day in and day out has been resilient and positive.” said Haener, who finished his college football career passing 24 of 36 passes for 284 yards in the win.
LA Bowl Washington State vs Fresno State at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca (Photo by Kevin Ballton / fi360 News)
The Washington State loss makes the Pac-12 1-1 in bowl games so far with Oregon State defeating Florida earlier in the day.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 17: Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Jacob Ferenczi (56) holds the trophy during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Las Vegas, NV – The Beavers took care of business and wants everyone to know that they had a 10-win season. After defeating the Florida Gators 30-3 dominating from the game opening series.
The SRS Las Vegas Bowl MVP was Ben Gulbranson who threw for 165 yards and first touchdown of the game. Gulbranson went 12/19 in the air for the night and ran one in at Allegiant Stadium. On the receiving end Silas Bolden caught 6 balls for 99 yards averaging 16.5 yards with a touchdown.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 17: Oregon State Beavers quarterback Ben Gulbranson (17) runs out of the pocket during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith was happy for today’s win and the dominating performance by his team. The last time Oregon State did this in a bowl game was when he himself played in the Fiesta Bowl and dominated Norte Dame 41-9 on New Year’s Day in 2001.
Oregon State choses to flip flop quarterbacks to start the first half that kept the Gators on their toes.
“He (Tristan Gebbia Backup quarterback) had a great few weeks of practice,” coach Smith. “We had a lot of contributions from a lot of different guys.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 17: Oregon State Beavers wide receiver John Dunmore (14) catches the ball and gets tackled by Florida Gators defensive lineman Justus Boone (12) during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 news)
The Gators offense struggled but quarterback Jack Miller III did manage to throw for 180 yards going 13/22 on the day. As for the running game it was non existent rushing for only 39 yards.
Florida did block a field goal to end the half to keep the game in reach only trailing 10-0. But the second half was much of the same.
The Florida offense was MIA in the first half, missing a few weapons due to transfer portal and opt outs.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 17: Oregon State Beavers running back Deshaun Fenwick (5) runs the ball for a gain during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Deshaun Fenwick punishing running style help control the game in the second half and chewed up the clock. Fenwick rushed 21 times for 107 yards to lead the Beavers on the ground, with two more running back reaching pay dirt.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 17: Oregon State Beavers quarterback Ben Gulbranson (17) wins the MVP of the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 news)
“Really proud of the group,” said coach Smith “We finished how we wanted too (victory)!”
Mike Leach during the PAC-12 Football Media Day 2017. Live at Ray Dolby Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Center in Los Angeles, Ca. on July 27, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University Head Football Coach Michael Charles “Mike” Leach passed away last night (Monday, Dec. 12) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, following complications from a heart condition. He was 61.
In a statement, the Leach family said: “Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather. He was able to participate in organ donation at UMMC as a final act of charity. We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world. Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father’s life.”
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said: “Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape. His innovative “Air Raid” offense changed the game. Mike’s keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation’s true coaching legends. His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike’s profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.
“Mike’s death also underscores the fragility and uncertainty of our lives. Three weeks ago, Mike and I were together in the locker room celebrating a hard-fought victory in Oxford. Mike Leach truly embraced life and lived in such a manner as to leave no regrets. That’s a worthy legacy. May God bless the Leach family during these days and hours. The prayers of the Bulldog family go with them,” Keenum said.
MSU Interim Athletics Director Bracky Brett said: “We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of Mike Leach. College football lost one of its most beloved figures today, but his legacy will last forever. Mike’s energetic personality, influential presence and extraordinary leadership touched millions of athletes, students, coaches, fans, family and friends for decades.
“Mike was an innovator, pioneer and visionary. He was a college football icon, a coaching legend but an even better person,” said Brett. “We are all better for having known Mike Leach. The thoughts and prayers of Mississippi State University and the entire Bulldog family are with his wife Sharon, his children and the entire Leach family.”
Leach, who was named Mississippi State’s 34th head football coach on January 9, 2020, was finishing his third season in Starkville and 21st as a head coach. Forever a college football icon, he leaves an incredible legacy as a husband, father, friend and leader of young men.
WSU Coach Mike Leach, “Yes we are going to Air it Out!” Photo by Jevone Moore
The oldest of six siblings, Leach and his wife Sharon shared four children: Janeen, Kimberly, Cody and Kiersten.
Born in Susanville, California to Frank and Sandra Leach, Mike was raised in Cody, Wyoming. After graduating with honors from BYU in 1983 where he played rugby, Leach earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Sports Academy and his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University, where he graduated in the top one-third of his class.
For nearly four decades, Leach had an unmatched impact on the game of football including thousands of student-athletes, coaches and staff. He was a two-time national coach of the year, three-time Power 5 conference coach of the year and the mastermind behind the NCAA record-setting “Air Raid” offense.
The accomplishments for Leach in his 21 years as a head coach were long and distinguished. A proven winner who established a culture of excellence at every stop of his career, Leach compiled a 158-107 (.596) record, guided his squads to 19 bowl games, produced seven seasons of at least nine victories, captured two conference division titles, became the winningest coach in Texas Tech history and set school records for bowl appearances at both Texas Tech (10) and Washington State (6). During 10 of those 21 seasons, Leach’s passing attack led the FBS – six at Texas Tech and four at Washington State.
One of the most successful coaches in the history of college football, Leach’s 158 career wins as an FBS coach are the second-most among active SEC coaches and the fifth-most among active Power 5 coaches. Of the 50 most productive passing yardage seasons in FBS history, 10 came from quarterbacks coached by Leach since his hiring as head coach at Texas Tech in 2000. That included one season by Kliff Kingsbury, one by B.J. Symons (2003), one by Sonny Cumbie, three by Graham Harrell (2006-08), one by Connor Halliday, one by Luke Falk (2015), one by Gardner Minshew II (2018) and one by Anthony Gordon (2019).
A passionate educator, mentor, historian and lifelong learner, Leach had great admiration for academics. He instilled that in his players, as his teams routinely set records for GPA and graduation rate. A masterful storyteller, Leach authored a New York Times best-selling autobiography in 2011 titled Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and in Life. He later wrote Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior in 2014.
Leach built arguably the greatest coaching tree in college football, giving countless coaches their start in the profession. His historic tree includes former and current head coaches Lincoln Riley, Dave Aranda, Sonny Cumbie, Dana Holgorsen, Seth Littrell, Art Briles, Ken Wilson, Neal Brown, Josh Heupel, Eric Morris, Sonny Dykes, Kliff Kingsbury, Ruffin McNeill and assistant coaches Wes Welker, Bill Bedenbaugh, Robert Anae, Alex Grinch, Brandon Jones, and more.
Leach began his coaching career in 1987 as an assistant at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo before coaching stops at College of the Desert in 1988 and as a head coach in the European Football League in Pori, Finland, in 1989.
Leach teamed up with Hal Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1989, where the duo developed the renowned Air Raid offense. From 1989 to 1991 Leach served as offensive coordinator and line coach for a unit that led the NAIA in passing yardage one season and finished second the other two. Iowa Wesleyan quarterbacks passed for more than 11,000 yards in Leach’s three seasons and broke 26 national records.
Leach and Mumme went on to spend five seasons at Valdosta State (1992-96) and then two seasons at Kentucky (1997-98).
Named 1996 Division II Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Quarterly magazine, Leach helped Mumme lead Valdosta State to a 40-17-1 record. The 1993 Blazer offense smashed 66 school records, 22 conference records and seven national records. In 1994, Valdosta State advanced to the Division II playoffs with Leach’s offense shattering 80 school records, 35 conference records and seven more national marks.
As Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, Leach coached the Wildcat offense to six NCAA records, 41 Southeastern Conference records and 116 school records in 22 games.
Leach joined Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma staff as offensive coordinator in 1999. He directed a Sooner offense that went from one of the worst in the Big 12 Conference to one of the best. In just one year, OU’s total offense numbers improved from 293.3 to 427.2 yards per game. Under Leach, the Oklahoma offense set six Big 12 Conference and 17 school records.
Leach went on to spend 10 seasons as head coach at Texas Tech (2000-09) where his squads produced bowl appearances all 10 years. He compiled a school-record 84 victories, a school-record five bowl wins and eight consecutive seasons of at least eight victories.
The architect of the most prolific passing offense in the country, Leach received three national coach of the year awards in 2008 – the Woody Hayes Award, Howie Long/Fieldturf Coach of the Year and George Munger Award. Leach’s offense captured six NCAA passing titles and three total offense titles during his 10 seasons in Lubbock.
Leach led Texas Tech to one of the most memorable seasons in school history in 2008 as the team set a program record with 11 regular season wins en route to an 11-2 record. The win total tied the mark, set previously by the 1953 and 1973 Red Raider squads. Numerous accolades poured in from across the country as an unprecedented four players earned first-team All-America status, in addition to Leach’s three coach of the year honors. Harrell, offensive tackle Rylan Reed and offensive guard Brandon Carter each garnered first-team honors, while wide receiver Michael Crabtree was honored as a unanimous All-American and the Biletnikoff Award winner for the second-straight season.
A total of 18 players were drafted at Texas Tech under Leach’s watch and 21 others signed free agent contracts. In the spring of 2009, four players were selected among the first four rounds of the NFL Draft, marking the most successful draft for Texas Tech in the Leach era.
The program made strides academically as well under Leach. During his 10 years, Texas Tech was recognized as one of the nation’s top institutions for consistently being above a 70 percent graduation rate, according to the AFCA.
Following his tenure at Texas Tech, Leach spent eight seasons at the helm at Washington State where he compiled a 55-47 (.539) record and was named the 2018 American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year and two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2015, 2018). Leach spearheaded WSU to a school-record six bowl appearances and became the first coach in school history to lead the Cougars to five consecutive bowl games. They also led the nation in passing offense in four out of his last six seasons in charge.
The 2018 campaign saw Leach produce one of the finest coaching performances as WSU posted its first 11-win season in school history and a share of the Pac-12 North Division. The Cougars were ranked in the top 13 of each College Football Playoff rankings, including four consecutive weeks at No. 8. WSU capped the season with a win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl and finished No. 10 in the Associated Press and Coaches polls. Senior quarterback and Mississippi native Minshew captivated the nation, leading the FBS in passing yards per game (367.6).
In the spring of 2019, Leach taught a five-week course at WSU on Insurgent Warfare and Football Strategies, along with former Washington State Senator Michael Baumgartner.
Leach arrived in Starkville on January 9, 2020, as Mississippi State’s 34thhead football coach. He led the Bulldogs to a 19-17 record, including an 8-4 mark in 2022, and bowl appearances in all three seasons. Leach’s offense led the SEC passing in each of the last two seasons. The Bulldogs defeated seven AP Top 25 opponents during Leach’s MSU tenure, which tied for third most by a Bulldog head coach. Leach coached MSU to its two largest comebacks in program history in 2021.
"Coach Prime" Deion Sanders is introduced as the new head
coach of Colorado football team at the Dal Ward Center in Boulder, CO on Sunday December 4, 2022. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Boulder, CU- All will remember a selection Sunday when schools were anticipating their rankings in the College Football Playoff. In Colorado they could care less this year because they have a new coach to meet at the tarmac and greet the next head coach for the Buffaloes.
Yes, all the rumors were true, the electrifying Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is now the 25th full time football coach. Deion is also the third black coach in a row the Athletic Director Rick George had hired.
The room lit up so bright in the Colorado press room because now the Prime Effect was already beginning. How fitting that this announcement took place on a Sunday. Coach Prime said George’s call was confirmation not a vision or sales call.
It’s really not a strange place for Coach Prime to be led to, under the rubble is still a firm foundation that was built by Bill McCartney who was a leader of men. McCartney was the founder of Promise Keepers the men’s ministry. On the football field he led the Buffaloes to their only National Championship in 1990.
Coach Prime is on a mission to build Colorado back to college football dominance. Next year on selection Sunday will the Buffaloes being glued to TV set or internet updates to see where the rank in last regular season ranking.
“As you know I have work to finish in Jackson Mississippi,” said Coach Prime “ We gotta win this championship. (JSU)”
Just from these statements alone how can one say the Coach Prime has left Jackson State University, high and dry? What coach gets a new job, talks with his former team like a man and have the University’s confidence to allow coach to finish what he started. Who was the last coach to hold two jobs at the same time….
“Coach Prime” Deion Sanders is introduced as the new head
coach of Colorado football team at the Dal Ward Center in Boulder, CO on Sunday December 4, 2022. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Coach Prime opening speech to JSU stated, we can win SWAC Championships, I Believe that our commitment to academic excellence can continue, I Believe we can sell out 60,000, if we unite together.
Why can you be made at man who brought two SWAC Championships, signed the No 1 recruit in the class of 2022, raised the academic level of the whole football team, selling out the stadium every Saturday by bring the tailgaters and more inside.
Let’s look at some numbers and cents, Prime donated half his salary back to JSU to pay his assistant coaches, raised money to upgraded the facilities, brought in Under Armor to outfit the team, inked a sponsorship with American Airlines for away games vs old bus travel. The general economy has seen triple digit rise that has been enjoyed by most business owners.
Four Home Games: Approximately $16.2 million in revenue was generated for Jackson businesses. A drastic increase from $7.2 million in 2017.
2022 SWAC Football Championship: Approximately $8 million in revenue generated.
Did Coach Prime deliver….. No one but Deion himself could image that all this would take place but he Believed something good was going to come by him being in Jackson. Just think if more folks would have come on board and caught what Coach Prime was doing… All he asked was can we unite?
Seattle, WA – A worrying trend for the 2022-2023 Seattle Kraken has been their lack of a consistently dependable defensive effort, and that has been ever-present in six of their past seven games. A defensive breakdown and three consecutive turnovers leading to breakaways gave the visiting Montreal Canadiens four goals on just eight shots, all through the first two periods. Rookie Shane Wright’s first NHL goal, scored against the team that was supposed to select him, was a small victory in a lost battle for Seattle. Although the NHL season isn’t even a third of the way through, the Kraken have glaring issues to improve upon in order to stay the course towards a postseason berth.
The Kraken have been in many high scoring contests this season, which has pros and cons. A pro is that the Seattle attack is far improved and has often been good enough to outweigh many negatives. The worrisome negative is that the defensive issues the Kraken have been dealing with have not gotten better, and allow their opponents to remain in games. Two primary defensive problems were on display in this loss; leaving skaters open and making simple mistakes. Montreal’s first goal was an example of the former, as Johnathan Kovacevic beat Martin Jones cleanly and could have done his taxes with the amount of room he was left to operate with. The second period saw three easy Montreal goals, all being scored off of sloppy play in the form of bad turnovers, losing faceoffs, and getting caught in poor position. Prior to tonight’s game, Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol made comments about the loss to Florida, many of which rang true in this contest.
“This one’s about us. Getting back at it, not really happy with our performance coming out of the other night. A really winnable game that we came up short in some of the detailed and gritty areas of the hockey games. It has nothing to do with the situation of our opponent, this is about us needing to get back to what we do, and do it well,” Hakstol remarked.
The bright spot in tonight’s loss was 18-year-old Shane Wright netting his first goal in the NHL. It appeared to be the stars aligning for Wright, playing in his first contest since an AHL Conditional Loan stint with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The hotly discussed skater was able to find early success in this game, potting his first goal as a pro against the team that was long projected to select Wright before passing up on him in this past NHL entry draft. From staring down the Montreal table at the draft, rumors of a bad attitude, being a healthy scratch nearly all season to now, Wright still has a long journey ahead. Amidst all the chaos that is being thrown at someone who is just crossing into the threshold of adulthood, finding the back of the net for the first time in his career has to be a sort of calming relief. Wright reflected on the moment, postgame.
“I think it’s obviously something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Your first NHL goal is a pretty cool accomplishment, a pretty cool milestone, something that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life…. I pictured myself jumping right in and scoring a bunch, but that’s not the reality. You have to make sure you earn everything you get,” Wright stated.
Following the end of their three-game homestand, the Kraken now head out to the East coast for a four-game road trip. That slate begins
on Friday, December 9th against the Washington Capitals, the team Seattle was able to vanquish just seven seconds into overtime back on the first of this month. The two teams will have a rematch on the 9th inside of Capital One Arena, with a puck drop of 4PM PST. Seattle will be eager to remove any lingering negatives from their past two losses, and to start a tough road trip the right away.
