Jake Dickert & Ryan Leaf Emphatically Support Mike Leach's Hall of Fame Candidacy

Joe Londergan | Jul 14, 2024

Sep 9, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert walks to Gesa Field at Martin Stadium before a game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Since former Washington State, Texas Tech, and Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach passed away at the age of 61 in December of 2022, his candidacy for the College Football Hall of Fame has been something of a hot topic throughout the sport. Leach died with a career win percentage of 59.6, just short of the Hall's required 60%.

In the eyes of current Washington State head coach Jake Dickert, Leach has done more than enough to earn his space in the Hall of Fame.

“The guy revolutionized the game,” Dickert told The Athletic's Chris Vannini. “Talk to anybody in college football that matters an ounce, and you’ll realize that in 2 seconds. Let’s get the man in the hall of fame. Come on.”

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Former Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf expressed a similar feeling in that same piece, stating “he’s already a hall of famer, and I don’t need the NFF to tell me that."

Dickert further indicated the conversation around Leach's candidacy is likely to continue for years, namely in in two years when it will have been three since Leach's passing, a regular bench mark for CFB HoF candidates under the age of 70.

“We’ll push the agenda,” Dickert said. “I would imagine we’ll unite to make a national push for coach Leach to be in the hall of fame, where he rightfully deserves to be.”