Mike Leach To Be Posthumously Inducted Into Washington State Hall of Fame in September

Joe Londergan | Jun 30, 2024

Dec 27, 2019; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach against the Air Force Falcons during the Cheez-It Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

During his time as the head coach of Washington State football, Mike Leach won 55 games in eight seasons with the Cougars (2012-2019). Because of his laundry list of other achievements in college football, many are calling for Leach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. However, he was, literally, one win short of meeting the Hall of Fame's criteria of a .600 winning percentage before his untimely passing at the age of 61 a year and a half ago.

Leach will however be posthumously inducted into Washington State's own Hall of Fame later this fall.

With the Cougars, Leach won the Pac-12 Coach of the Year Award in 2015 and 2018. The eccentric coach also led WSU to six bowl games. He finished his time in Pullman with the third-most victories in program history.

Washington State's 2024 Hall of Fame class will be formally inducted Friday, Sept. 6 at Beasley Coliseum. The class will also be recognized on the field during the weekend's football game between WSU and Texas Tech, who Leach also spent ten years coaching from 2000 to 2009. Leach also had a stint at Mississippi State from 2020 to 2022.

In 21 seasons as an FBS head coach, Leach was 158-107 before his death in December, 2022.

"The 2024 WSU Athletic Hall of Fame class represents some of Washington State's greatest student-athletes and coaches dating back more than four decades and we are honored to highlight the successes of such an incredible group," said WSU Athletic Director Anne McCoy. "The accomplishments of this class are tremendous and the pride and passion each displayed while representing WSU is well documented. We look forward to celebrating their impact on our great history."

Published Jun 30, 2024

JOE LONDERGAN

Joe covers college sports from the Group of Five ranks and beyond. He has worked in the sports industry since 2008, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville, and a Master's degree from Seattle University.