Mike Leach worsens after hospital transfer.
Mike Leach’s situation after the reported heart attack that he suffered that ended up with him being flown to Mississippi Medical Center has worsened, according to reports.
247’s Steve Robertson – one of the best-connected in ‘Cowbell World’ – wrote to subscribers that Leach’s situation had worsened: “I wish I had better news, but I’m told UMMC has transitioned into comfort care measures for Coach Mike Leach. It’s essentially hospice care at this point.
I’m told he’s been largely if not totally non-responsive since the cardiac event yesterday morning.
It appears to simply be a matter of time now. It all seems so unfair. Life is fleeting. Tell those you love how much you love them. Forgive, forgive, forgive.
We will not be working to break the final story. We will respect the family’s timing on all of that. Yes, we have a story ready to roll, but we will now await the official and unfortunate word from the University.
I can’t believe we’re even having these discussions. It’s so surreal. He isn’t just our football coach. He’s Mike Leach, a national treasure. I’m honored to say he was our coach for three seasons. It’s also nice to remember that he’s going out a winner.
Please remember his family, our coaches and players in your thoughts and prayers”.
Reporter Ross Dellenger added that ‘The Pirate’s’ situation is critical.
DC Zach Arnett has been put in charge of the team until Leach’s return, retirement or the other thing, Mississippi State – who is without an AD at the moment – said. The school added that practices for the New Year’s Day Reliaquest Bowl clash between Mississippi State and Illinois will continue.
He added that there were two very difficult long-term prognosis. “In the first one he might coach the bowl game. In the second one his odds of survival are incredibly poor”, adding: “Hope like hell it’s the first one.”
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Obviously move to put Zach Arnett in charge of Mississippi State is an attempt to normalize what must be an utterly putrid situation down in Starkville. There are recruiting visits and visitors. There is the transfer portal and the identification of talent from it (which Leach has used handily over his years). And practice for the Reliaquest Bowl in that too.
But don’t think that Mississippi State – without an AD after John Cohen jumped ship to Auburn – hasn’t thought of other situations.
- If Leach doesn’t come back, does the school keep Arnett for the year ‘as a trial’? The recruitment cycle and transfer portal are already closing rapidly, and the team needs to get transfers and continue getting and keeping talent (don’t think that there aren’t unscrupulous coaches already out there sending out texts to Mississippi State-confirmed recruits saying: “Did you hear about Coach Leach? We’re praying!!”, trying to get some mileage out of the possibility he might not make it through.
- The Reliaquest Bowl. If Arnett stays and Leach does not pass away but stays in hospital and has become responsive again, then Mississippi State’s presence in the bowl will go ahead. But if Leach does go through the pearly gates, it would not be a surprise if Mississippi State cancels its presence at Raymond James Stadium on New Year’s Day.