Rebels Coach Lane Kiffin Pays Respect To 'Pirate' Rival Mike Leach At Famous Bar

Mike Leach's memory lives on at Capt. Tony's Saloon and in the heart of Lane Kiffin.

Fresh off the sidewalk, tucked away in a small corner of Key West, Florida, resides Capt. Tony's Saloon. The locals know it as a watering hole for tourists.

College football fans know it as Mike Leach's home away from home. Sitting inside the pirate-themed joint lies a barstool with the name "Mike Leach" engraved on the seat. It's nuzzled between seats honoring Ernest Hemingway and John F. Kennedy, two icons in Leach's out-of-this-world life.

The Mississippi State head coach visited the bar for decades until his death last December. On Sunday, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin went to pay his respects, snapping a photo of the barstool that now remains untouched in the rafters of a place special to the self-proclaimed pirate's heart.

💙 pic.twitter.com/Wu6y7oZZ9a

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) May 14, 2023

Both hired in 2020 by the respective Magnolia State schools, Kiffin and Leach's friendship goes back to their days in the Pac-12. Kiffin, who enters his fourth season in Oxford, coached at USC from 2010-13. Leach, who led the Bulldogs to three consecutive bowl appearances, coached at Washington State from 2012-19.

Kiffin held an all-time 2-2 record against Leach. In 2013, Kiffin was fired after a 3-2 start with losses coming to Washington State and Arizona State. In his final game, Leach bested Kiffin again with a 24-22 victory in the Egg Bowl to cap off an 8-4 regular season record.

Leach, who passed after suffering complications due to a heart condition, was replaced by defensive coordinator Zach Arnett for the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Illinois. Arnett was named full-time head coach days following Leach's passing.

"I truly loved coach Leach and every minute I shared with him," Kiffin said following Leach's passing. "I have been able to work with several players and coaches, and they have told so many amazing stories about the impact he had on their lives. Going back to our years together in the Pac-12, I have always felt tremendous respect and admiration for coach, his unique personality, and his innovative mind. I can't imagine college football without him. I'm grateful to be part of his final win, hug him, and watch him walk off like the winner he is."

Leach finished his 22-year career with a 158-107 record. He totaled seven AP Top 25 finishes at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State from 2000-22. The Rebels will travel to Davis Wade Stadium for this year's Egg Bowl on Nov. 23. 

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