Mike Leach was the Norm Macdonald of coaches. We lost them both at 61, way too soon.

He may be the ONLY coach or football commentator that realized that this is only a game. This whole thing is supposed to be fun. Thank you coach for keeping it real. Football, like life itself, should be taken with a twinkle in the eye.

This dude's commitment to answering any question is thoroughly as humanly possible is amazing

"Credit to cats for generating that level of animosity." -Genius

I know we all remember and enjoy Coach Leach's memorable soundbites, but I hope everyone understands how great of a coach he is and the impact he's had on this sport. I think it's a much bigger impact than most people realize. Sending positive thoughts his way!

This man was a national treasure

His bit on the tragedies of wedding planning has to be his greatest of all-time.

I absolutely LOVE Leach’s Perspective on the College Football “Playoff” because it’s NOT a playoff!!!!

From an Alabama fan, RIP to the pirate. He was one of the classiest around, and I know he’ll be missed

As an Aggie, I hated playing against Mike Leach. What a brilliant strategist. He is indeed a national treasure. So many Aggie haters out there think we hated him. Couldn’t be more wrong. Total respect and admiration for a brilliant coach. He had our number indeed. RIP ML!

Strangest man in football. He was real as real gets.

His thoughtful response to the "which mascot would win in a conference fight" question is legendary. His ability to entertain that silly stuff is what made everything he said special. I remember once listening to one of his postgame interviews on the radio and he was off-roading and talking about his favorite classic western movies. Dunno what it had to do with the game but it was very interesting.

With there being too many Sabans, and Bellichicks out there. This guy made football fun. Sixty one years, I'm positive he lived them to the fullest. Rest in paradise coach.

His advice on men and weddings is 100% real and should be listened to by every man

He will be missed. Rest In Peace, Coach.

I remember learning about him back when I was playing HS ball and how he invented the WR middle screen after studying pirate battle tactics for his history class he taught. I thought he was a genius then. But now hearing him point out the THE BEST candy that exists right now, Nerds Clusters, I can’t even believe it. The man gets it. Brilliant even when it comes to candy selection.

As a Duck fun, he tore us a new one numerous times, and I wasn’t even mad. I was proud of his accomplishments at Wazzu given their limited resources. That’s why I love College football…Coaches like Mike Leach.

How could you not love this man RIP coach.

It's been two-and-a-half decades since he brought the Air Raid to Kentucky along with Hal Mumme, but he's still got a ton of fans in the Bluegrass. I'm certain a lot of us are sending prayers and well-wishes his way. Get well, Coach Leach. College football would be far less interesting without you!

It feels like I lost an uncle losing Coach Leach. I have loved watching and listening to this man since his year at Oklahoma. Every school he coached was my second favorite team behind Oklahoma. RIP Coach. God Bless to his family.

You could tell his health was going down when he would stumble over words and cough almost every sentence. RIP a legend of this sport. Deserved to be in the Playoffs at least once.

We love you, Coach! To the rest of the NCAA, thank y’all for allowing us to have him in Starkville. Long live the Pirate!!!!

When you heard Mike Leach talking about something unrelated to football after an intense game, you understand that his mind never stopped. It ran a mile a minute. He was genius and a man of character. Everyone loved him. I think he would make some comment about the Art of War. Maybe part of his talent was making the other team almost, almost cheer for Mike Leach's squad. But he was bigger than football. He is one of a kind. Condolences to his family and to all those who loved them. If you read this, know that Mike is loved by so many. Wish we could hear about whatever book he was reading in his office the night before. He will be missed.

We are gonna miss this man. I never really followed his "Leach-isms" until he had his own show on XM, years ago. He became my favorite coach. The stories around college football will never be as interesting and as much fun without Mike Leach. Thank you Coach and RIP.

There will never be another Leach in cfb. R.I.P. Pirate

Coach always reminded me of a sports version of norm Macdonald. Always hilarious, says random shit and will make you feel like a boob if you say/do something dumb. The cat soliloquy maybe one of the funniest rants. Definitely a guy who passed to early.

Forever THE PIRATE! We will miss you coach, a good man, RIP

No finer words can be spoken about this man than the words he spoke himself

I’m a Red Raider and have been a huge Leach fan since 2000 when he came through Texas Tech. A brilliant mind in football and he always kept it real and had fun. You never knew what was going to come out of his mouth but you knew it would make you laugh. Rest in peace coach, you’ll be missed dearly!

He would have been an amazing color commentator. I miss him even though I never met him. RIP Legend

The LSU fans love this man and he will be missed. ❤️Mike❤️.

Him talking about the PAC 12 team names tangling is hilarious. "Is the Ute on horseback? Bow and arrow? Did he trade for a rifle? If he has a rifle that presents a problem. A buffalo is a beast. Utterly outstanding" favorite coach of all time regardless of level. Rest easy with God!

"I'm fearful thier kids and their grandkids won't have hands" 😂😂😂. Miss you coach!

We’re going to have to see what kind of mystical powers a “sun devil” has.

R.I.P Coach Mike Leach this Man was a “American “ Original . This is how Mark Twain would be like in Person

So classic the “anyway” man he will be greatly missed. RIP Coach Leach.

We lost a gem of a man and a fine Coach ... R.I.P 🙏🙏

I’m a Miami fan, but how can you not love this guy. Rest in Peace Coach.

His cat rant had me in stitches 😂😂😂 “credit to cats”

He was an excellent coach but most importantly he was an amazing,intelligent, funny, compassionate and caring human being. You will be missed Pirate! Swing your sword! RIP Coach.

Mike Leach: A thinking man's coach. RIP, you gorgeous working class philosopher.

Loved all the positive comments about Coach Leach's attitude and play science. He was a master.

Madden #2!! I'm a Husky (UW). Yet, I loved watching his teams and even rooted for him.

What a cool guy-damn he'll be missed. The sports world got a lot less interesting. RIP Coach...

Such a good guy. And a good coach. We lost one of the best. You will be missed, Coach Leach. Cal Poly SLO and Pepperdine remember our times.

"Before long though, I realized that that was a grave error, and there was far better paths ahead than candy corn" lmao

Praying for Coach Leach. #HailState

hes a legend. r.i.p. leach

His bizzareness was genuine and I would have loved to play for him. Imagine being a sportswriter and trying to quote him?

Sad that he's gone, but equally as sad that there are no clips from his 10 years @ Texas Tech. The program languished after ESPN tarred & feathered him. RIP Good Sir.

RIP COACH 😢 MISS YOU!!! You were amazing

He was a great coach and an amazing personality. Condolences to his players, family and staff from BIG BLUE NATION!

It's not far for us in sec to lose such a wonderful coach and person. We love you coach here in volunteer land knoxville. You are sec family always. Prayers for family and the best pirate rip

Love this guy. If he was your team’s coach you’re guaranteed to stay entertained on and off the field.

So sad his family will be without such a cool husband,father Grandpa I can't imagine the blinding pain they are got through he was only 61

I hope the wide receivers will never sit again to honor this awesome coach!

Rest in peace to one of the coolest football coaches ever

Here is what we Leach fans were robbed of. This man would of been a GREAT color analyst one day. He would of been the second coming on John Madden.

CJK5H Never forget. May the Pirate live forever.

If you have a bad day, play this. One of Coach Leach's many gifts is that he will leave all of us with a smile on our faces.

I have always loved the way he would always say what he felt without a filter.

Thanks for this...a true legend that will be missed!

holy shit that wedding rant was spot on

One of the best ever. RIP coach!

This was absolutely fantastic! Thank u!

Awesome tribute. Thank you.

We will miss ya Coach! RIP and prayers to your family, friends and all the kids who’s lives you touched.

We sure lost a jewel of the college football world....rip Pirate 🙏🙏

Truly sad I wont see coach Leach in college football again. RIP coach. The game will never be the same without you.🙏

RIP Coach. You were such a great figure in college football

Mike Leach was a national treasure, so sad to loose him

Rest in peace Coach! A true National Treasure

Videos like this are what made Coach Leach so incredible! He was also an amazing coach! May he Rest In Peace. I am sending my continued prayers to his entire family. God bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️🏴‍☠️

I loved this coach.. God bless his family!!!

Absolute LEGEND

He seems like a great guy to go straighten out Heaven for all of us who are going! thanks coach !

His wedding response was brilliant

Really gonna miss this guy..roll tide

This man was purely logical 😂 RIP to a legend

Thank you Mr Coach Leach. You were one hell of a kind. ❤

May God bless you Soul Coach your great mind and calm attitude and crazy response🤣 will truly be missed.

A great coach and an even greater human being. Would of loved to have this guy as my coach when I was growing up . R.I.P.

one of the best to ever do it. RIP coach

Such a great tribute to him…… well done !! My fav Leachism…. Was from USC coach Riley….. He said at a TT practice he would line up 4 wide outs and run go routs all day long……. Without telling the defense….. when Riley asked….. he said later in the year, when everyone is doggin it ….. we will be rockin and ready to go…. (That year they beat texas or Oklahoma in a big bowl game at the end of the year on a …… you guessed it ….. go route at the end of the game!!

One of a kind

He was pure gold, plain and simple. I've never had another coach make me laugh with his commentary.

RIP to the GOAT of interviews you always kept them guessing!

From a Sooner Fan, you will be missed, Coach ! Rest in peace.

So sad to here of his passing. Most entertaining coach of all time.

"They used to have those Sprees in a box... Outstanding. You have to go the dollar store to find them, but I do". Always brings a smile to my face. Rest easy Mike.

RIP Coach, I will miss ur sound bites my friend.

It’s been a year and I’m still not over it. RIP Mike Leach, this Tennessee fan misses you very much. Thanks for being one of the people that make College Football what it is.

I absolutely love this legend of a man. How could you hate him?

Told random stories like my Aunt, Coached like a guy that wanted to be there but had zero fear of losing his job tomorrow, Spoke at press conferences like Yogi Bera. What a guy. RIP

“And I mean credit to cats….the ability to generate that much animosity ya know” 😂 I wanna play all-time QB in Leach’s Hairbo Heaven Bowl!

He was the best. Thanks Coach 😌

To say Mike Leach was one of a kind would be the biggest understatement of all time!! RIP

He couldn't be more correct, about the absurdity of the NCAA division 1 playoff scheme.

He was the goat

Coach Mike Leach was such a classic! He will be missed even by UW fans and alums, who were his arch rivals.