Josh Heupel was Mike Leach’s quarterback when he was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, just before he took the vacant Texas Tech job. Heupel did incredible things under Leach, but most importantly was given a chance.

Before Leach did give him that shot, he was a backup quarterback at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Now, he’s regarded as one of the best offensive minds currently coaching in the college game at the helm of Tennessee football.

Heupel released a statement Tuesday morning on Leach’s passing.

Leach has had an impact on so many players, coaches and fans across college football that is is essentially immeasurable. Kliff Kingsbury, Lincoln Riley, Dana Holgorsen, Sonny Dykes, Heupel and many more have been touched by Leach’s greatness and innovation as a offensive schematic and charismatic human being.