Mississippi State University head football coach Mike Leach died Monday after suffering complications stemming from a heart condition, the school announced. He was 61.

"Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape," school President Mark E. Keenum said in a statement. "Mike's keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation's true coaching legends...I will miss Mike's profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things."

Leach was in his third season as Mississippi State's coach, leading them to an 8-4 record. Coaching for 21 seasons, he also had successful stints at Texas Tech and Washington State.

Leach served as an assistant coach Bob Stoops in 1999 and got his head coaching start at Texas Tech University in 2000.

Known for innovating the passing game, Leach's so-called Air Raid offenses led to a 158-107 career record. Leach coached many players drafted by the NFL, including quarterback Gardner Minshew, Kliff Kingsbury and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Mike Leach is remembered for his contributions to the game of football.

Leach's 158 career wins ranked fifth among active FBS coaches this season.

The football community was shocked by Leach's death. After the season, Leach told ESPN that he had battled pneumonia for some time but had recovered. He was at practice Saturday until he suffered what the university described as a "personal health issue" at his home in Starkville, Miss.

His condition required him to be airlifted 125 miles to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he died.

"Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather," said the Leach family statement. "He was able to participate in organ donation at UMMC as a final act of charity. We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world. Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father's life."

Mississippi State University remembers head coach Mike leach after his untimely passing.
Football