Chip Kelly Recalls 'Unbelievable Impact' Of Mike Leach And His Legacy

Chip Kelly is just one of many of those impacted by late Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach.

Before former Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach carried his talents over to Davis Wade Stadium, he coached the Washington State Cougars from 2012 through the 2019 season. 

During that last year for Leach there, he and the team took a 67-63 loss to the Bruins in a game that hardly could have been more thrilling.

Since then, the Cougars have yet to play the Bruins again, until this season. Bruins head coach Chip Kelly is currently preparing the team to take on this opponent, and during his press conference on Wednesday, he was asked about Leach.

“He had an unbelievable impact on this game both on and off the field. He was just such a special person," Kelly told reporters during his Wednesday press conference.

"He definitely marched to a different beat than most people and truly entertaining but really intelligent. Really smart...Always kind of made you think any time you had a conversation with him… He had a great perspective on things. He enjoyed life, he was a special guy and the impact he had on that program… and then anybody who worked for him would tell you. They can all wax eloquently about Mike Leach stories. I was fortunate I got to know him a little bit through the league.”

Kelly explained how Leach had such a big impact on football and ability to affect those around him. He also noted on how Leach's intelligence and perspective benefitted the football program as well.

“I think where he pushed the passing game. Mike’s famous for the line, his thought of being balanced isn’t run-pass, it’s about distributing the ball to five eligible players in a balanced fashion, and that’s what he strove to do,” Kelly said. “I think people kind of look at the game a bit differently, and then you look at his coaching tree… He had a huge impact on this game and I think people will recognize that for a long time.”

The effect Leach had on on coaches like Kelly continues to be felt across the college football landscape as the world adjusts to the loss of a man who was truly one of one.