When Mike Leach tragically passed away in December 2022, he was not eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame, due to a specific rule.
Leach, one of the most innovative and influential head coaches in college football history, did not have the career win percentage needed to get onto the College Football Hall of Fame ballot. The former Mississippi State and Texas Tech head coach had a winning percentage of .596, just short of the old benchmark that coaches had to win 60 percent of their games.
Thankfully, though, the rules have changed. The National Football Foundation has changed the winning percentage requirement, dropping it from 60 percent to .595 percent.
Justin Ford/Getty Images
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez is at .596, too. However, he believes the rule was made for Leach.
"I believe that was done for my friend, Mike," Rodriguez said. "I know a lot of us older coaches now take some pride in helping change the game in some way, helping it evolve in certain aspects and that's one reason why we pushed to get Mike in."
Leach's mentor, Hal Mumme, who created the Air Raid offense that Leach helped spread throughout the country, is happy, as well.
"It's the only sane thing to do," Mumme told ESPN. "Why is 60% the magic number? I mean, not everybody gets to coach at Notre Dame or Texas or something. Throw the rule out and vote people in on merit."
Leach is officially on the ballot on Monday
The National Football Foundation on Monday released this year’s list of 80 major college players and nine coaches eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Leach is among them.
Also on the ballot are 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of Auburn and 2011 Heisman winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor.
Leach, tragically, passed away from complications of a heart condition, days following the conclusion of the 2022 regular season.
