Mike Leach’s family, including his wife, Sharon Leach, and children, continues to celebrate Mike’s legacy, especially with his recent College Football Hall of Fame eligibility.
Mike Leach was a legendary college football coach known for pioneering the Air Raid offense.
He coached at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
Recently, on May 29, 2025, the College Football Hall of Fame adjusted its eligibility criteria, lowering the required winning percentage from .600 to .595.
This change means that Leach, who had a .596 winning percentage, is now eligible for induction starting in 2027.
Leach, known for his Air Raid offense, coached at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, leaving a lasting impact on football strategy.
However, on December 12, 2022, Leach passed away at the age of 61 due to complications from a heart condition.
Mike Leach And His Wife Were Together For 30 Years!
Mike Leach was married to Sharon Leach, his college sweetheart. They met at Brigham Young University, where they started as friends, often watching TV together on Sharon’s sofa.
Their first date happened naturally when Mike, feeling hungry one evening, said,
Hey, let’s go get something to eat.
From there, their relationship blossomed. Sharon worked as a legal secretary and administrative assistant before focusing on raising their four children.
Throughout Mike’s coaching career, the family moved frequently, following him to coaching jobs in Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Georgia, and Iowa.
Over time, Sharon came to appreciate Mike’s devotion to football, supporting his passion while keeping their family stable through the frequent moves.
Mike Leach’s Children Followed Their Own Path, While Cody Pursued Football!
Mike Leach and his wife, Sharon, have four children: Cody, Janeen, Kim, and Kiersten.
Janeen Leach, the eldest, was born in 1985 and pursued a career in medicine.
She attended Brigham Young University, like her parents, and later earned a Medical Doctor degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She now specializes in Family Medicine in Smyrna, Georgia.
Kim Leach, born in 1989, pursued a career in education. She earned a master’s degree in education from Texas Tech University and works as a reading specialist.
Similarly, Cody Leach, born in 1990, is currently a Special Teams Fellow at Mississippi State, where his father coached before his passing.
Recently, he delivered a heartfelt tribute during his father’s Washington State Hall of Fame induction, saying:
On behalf of my dad, my family and I humbly accept his induction into the Washington State Hall of Fame. I know he would have been extremely honored.
In a video played at the ceremony, he shared how much his father loved his time at Washington State.
He has been actively involved in honoring his father’s legacy, delivering a heartfelt tribute during Mike’s Washington State Hall of Fame induction, expressing gratitude on behalf of the family.
On the other hand, the youngest, Kiersten Leach, was born in 1998, and she has kept a lower profile.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mike Leach was born on March 9, 1961, in Susanville, California, to Frank and Sandra Leach.
- He graduated from Cody High School in 1979. He then attended Brigham Young University (BYU), earning a bachelor’s degree in American Studies in 1983.
- He was a two-time national coach of the year and a three-time conference coach of the year.