Coach Mike Leach caused greatness in the people who surrounded him. Note that I used the word “caused” and not “inspired.” Giving inspirational and motivational speeches was never his strong suit. In my experience, his speeches mostly elicited eye rolls and glances at wristwatches. “Is he ever going to wrap this thing up?” we asked ourselves. “We’ve heard this same B.S. 10,000 times before!”
And still, Coach Leach engendered greatness in his players and assistant coaches both on and off the field. Mike Leach, head coach at Mississippi State University — and prior to that, the winningest coach in the
