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Chris Fowler remembers Mike Leach, reflects on coaching tree legacy
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
As the college football world mourns the death of Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, his legacy will endure through his impressive coaching tree.
Notable members of that tree include current college head coaches such as Baylor’s Dave Aranda, West Virginia’s Neal Brown, Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Cumbie, TCU’s Sonny Dykes, Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, Houston’s Dana Holgorsen, Southern Cal’s Lincoln Riley, and Nevada’s Ken Wilson.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is also a former Leach assistant.
ESPN’s Chris Fowler discussed Leach’s coaching tree and his impact on the SEC Network.
The game would not be what it is today without Mike Leach.@cbfowler discusses how his incredible coaching tree will continue to carry on his legacy. pic.twitter.com/e8JSiNUfD4
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 13, 2022
Fowler marveled at the innovation of Leach’s offensive system and how he set a precedent that will live on.
“Well in terms of an offensive innovator, it’s obvious….Those coaches affect other coaches. Those coaches inspire players to think and operate differently,” Fowler said. “The legacy just builds from that and that will always live on in this sport for many generations. That’s what happens when you’re an influential figure that has that kind of coaching tree.”
Leach amassed a 158-107 record and was the AFCA Coach of the Year in 2018, along with winning Pac-12 Coach of the Year twice (2015 and 2018) and capturing Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2008.
