DALLAS — Eliah Drinkwitz, the head coach of Missouri, expressed his support for the inclusion of the late Mike Leach in the College Football Hall of Fame.
During SEC Media Days, Drinkwitz used his platform to urge the National Football Foundation to nominate Leach, the former Texas Tech coach, for the Hall of Fame, even though he falls just short of meeting one of the criteria.
“We need to put his name on the ballot,” Drinkwitz declared, referring to Leach.
Leach, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022, had a .596 winning percentage in his coaching career, just below the Hall of Fame’s standard of .600. With a slight adjustment to his record, he would likely surpass the threshold for induction.
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“Coach Leach would be a great value to the Hall of Fame because of the legacy, impact, and innovation he brought to the game,” Drinkwitz emphasized. “He deserves this recognition.”
Leach, known for pioneering the Air Raid offense, coached college football for 35 years at various universities. Many prominent coaches today trace their coaching lineage back to him.
“Coach Leach is a no-doubt Hall of Famer due to his significant contributions to the game,” Drinkwitz added. “He revolutionized offensive strategies and left a lasting impact on football at all levels.”
While the decision ultimately lies with the NFF on whether Leach will be included in the Hall of Fame, Drinkwitz and other supporters believe it is an obvious choice.
“The Hall of Fame is incomplete without Coach Mike Leach in it,” Drinkwitz concluded.
