MISS STATE
Mike Leach meets with his Mississippi State team for the first time: 'We are going to have a lot of fun together'
Mike Leach is ready to get to work.
That was the message of his first team meeting at Mississippi State with his team assembled and eager to hear what their new coach has to offer the Bulldogs.
Leach comes to Starkville with a ton of fanfare and media hype but the reality is he’s elevated both Texas Tech and Washington State to heights those programs had not seen in modern college football history and likely won’t ever see again.
Now the hope in Starkville is that Leach can deliver those same results.
During his first team meeting, Leach challenged his Bulldogs to get ready to work.
Check it out below, courtesy of the official Mississippi State Football YouTube account:
Leach’s offense modified with SEC talent going against SEC defenses is going to be a major subplot of the 2020 season.
I’m not sure 2020 is the year to tune into his offense at MSU. He’ll need time, and it may not be pretty at first
There’s nothing written in stone that says the offense won’t be successful next year dude, but I get it… you’re in the negative camp. Glad you’re the only one.
Nothing on offense for next year is a known commodity. It doesn’t mean we won’t find success, but it’s not a good sign. Especially with a coach that thrives on slinging the ball around and a roster that lacks both good passers and receivers. Freshmen may be what the staff leans on, but in this league that will not be pretty. KT is by far our best QB, but neither him nor Schrader running the air raid is playing to their strengths. Maybe being in the negative camp is just being a realist.
I think he will have early success. He doesn’t care about traditional coaching philosophies so his ability to change and call the offense is probably more flexible than most other coaches. It will be more interesting when teams start getting enough film on MSU for analysts to really break down what is happening.
Agreed at boxster355. I think his offenses will move the ball but I hope he knows he’s going to need a good defense to win in the SEC. You can’t just rely on your offense. I can’t wait until his post game press conferences and maybe for the 1st time in my life, I may go to the SEC Media Days just to witness it live.
On another note, how did you get the Power G icon beside your screen name? I would love to do the same thing.
Interestingly enough, he had focused more on playing defense at Wazzu than he ever did at Tech. Grinch and Claeys led some fairly good defenses under Leach from 2015-2018. I would be surprised to see him whiff on a good defensive coordinator hire.
Not entirely true. Ruffin McNeil his DC at Texas Tech from 2000-2002 turned Tech into one of the best defensive units in the Big 12.
His Wazzu defenses were awful . His best defensive year at WSU was # 42 in 2018 and his worst was 116th in 2014.
Home run hire, can’t wait to see the Mike Leach offense against Mark Stoops defense year in and year out. Those should be some fun games
I can’t wait to see the “Air Raid” offense in the SEC. The Defensive Backs and Safeties had better be in ‘great physical shape” when they play vs. the “Air Raid”. And yes, he’s gotta have a good “D” unit to win games in the SEC.
We’ve seen the Air Raid with Kevin Sumlin. Leach better have a generational QB and a hell of a defense. Without either of those, and he won’t win squat in the SEC! Bulldogs made a desperate swing and they whiffed hard!
You might be right, but hopefully he gets the most out of what he has
Pretty stupid to call it a whiff until you see what he can do at MSST. You also have to remember this is MSST not Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio state, Florida or any other college football powerhouse
Yes. I remember that’s why it’s a whiff! lol
They need to take more time to research a better guy. This man is dried up with his best days behind him. And it’s the SEC WEST. Do you seriously think Mike Leach is going to challenge anyone except Arkansas and Ole Miss? I feel sorry for the State fans because they deserve better.
Big L to the administration because again, the whiffed!
Wow, so much hate. When Saban is gone you’ll have some issues again as well and then you’ll be a little less smug and hateful. Not everyone can be Alabama.
Yeah some of these young Bama fans NYHog don’t remember the 1990s when Bama was being kicked around by Auburn (five times in a row) and several SEC teams.
I just created a username to reply to this…If you think Kevin Sumlin brought an “Air Raid”, or any kind of offense to the SEC for that matter, you’re not paying attention to anything outside of the conference. This is a home run hire by Ms State and it will immediately change the environment there. Just to make you aware, this is coming from a Texan Auburn fan. Also, if you’re questioning my reasoning, go look at the offenses and QBs that Sumlin inherited and that’ll explain why he was never the architect…
Wb did you not see my reasoning behind why Sumlin failed,and why I think Leach will fail as well clearly stated in the comment above? Yes you DID just created a account to respond. You actually didnt comprehend squat!
As I’ve already suggeste . Sumlin did run an Air Raid system. These are facts. Sumlin did neglect defense, these are facts. Those two factors Leach has in common. Now add in the fact (that I already stated) Sumlin had generational QB and still failed! Leach has never had one, never won anything and he’s supposed to set the SEC on fire? You old men love old rusty things that are easily relatable. You’re overrating this relic and anybody without the “he reminds me of the good ole days; or he’s a funny guy” glasses can see that.Wake up and look at the facts! Pathetic!
Yeah, cause turning around texas tech and wazzu, something no other active coach can come close to claiming, not even in similarities, is a huge whiff. Gtfoh
He didnt win anything but he did share a third of the big 12 title with Oklahoma and texas…when they were powerhouse teams winning national titles.
Mike Leach brought the Air Raid offense to the SEC over 20 yearas ago as the OC at UK.
Years
Did not exactly think the firing, or timing thereof, was correct but that ship has sailed. Nor did I think Leach was the right guy for the job. But all you can do is wish him luck and hope he gets more support than Moorhead received.
Until we win all the games we should and beat 1-2 big boys per year, not much has changed. When AL, AU, A&M, and LSU don’t look forward to playing MSU for something other than they don’t want to get anyone hurt, then we’ll have made progress.
Well said
Is it just me or does Leach sound eerily similar to John Madden..lol