“He Was a Gem…”: Academy Winner Matthew McConaughey Pens a Tribute to “One of the Most Curious, Inventive, Independent” Coach Who Breathed His Last at 61

Matthew McConaughey’s heartfelt note

Actor Matthew McConaughey penned a note on the demise of his friend and the Bulldogs’ head coach, Mike Leach. In the note, McConaughey remembered Leach as “a gem like no other” and “one of the most curious, inventive, independent minded wild men to ever walk the earth”. He sent his prayer for the family of the departed football coach. 

The note also contained an old photograph of the actor with Leach.

Leach and his Texas Tech team of the 2000s were the fiercest rivals of the Texas Longhorns, the team that McConaughey supports. And they even famously bested the No.1 Longhorns in that period. But friendship transcended the rivalry that the two shared. The Actor’s tribute also salutes the innovations by Leach that changed college football forever. The out-pour in tributes since the news of his demise just demonstrates the amount of lives Leach touched during his time in this world. 

The life of Mike Leach 

Mike Leach worked in the college football scene for 21 seasons as a head coach, changing it forever. His teams at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State perfected the art of the ‘Air Raid’ offense. He won the AFCA Coach of the year in 2018.

Leach’s overall record as a head coach stood at 158-107. His quarterbacks posted four of the nine highest single-season passing yardage totals in the history of FBS. Off the field, he could talk about anything under the sun.

Read More: 14 Years Before Saddening Demise, Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach Recruited a Fan From the Stands and He “Hasn’t Missed…”

Leach was airlifted to a hospital in Jackson for treatment on Sunday, where he breathed his last on Monday night. As his final act, Leach donated his organs to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.“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,” a statement from the family said.

With so many achievements under his belt and the number of lives impacted, it is safe to say that Leach lived a fulfilling life. Even till his last day, he did what he loved to do. Polishing stones into gems for the NFL and beyond.

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