Mike Leach
FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich walks the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, in Boise, Idaho. Nick Rolovich dived right in when Washington State hired him in January. Just when it seemed like things were up and rolling, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The national shutdown hurt coaches across college football as they prepare for the 2020-21 season, but it was particularly difficult on programs with first-year coaches trying to build something new from the ground up. (AP Photo/Steve Conner, File)
Pandemic puts first-year football coaches in deeper bind

By John Marshall Apr. 10, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2020, file photo, new Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach, speaks before reporters and school supporters at the university in Starkville, Miss., after being officially introduced as the head coach. Leach apologized Thursday, April 2, 2020, for a tweet that displayed a meme of a woman knitting her husband a noose as they were self-quarantined. Leach removed the tweet, which was posted Wednesday night. He posted on Twitter that he didn’t mean to offend anyone. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi State AD 'disappointed' in Leach's noose tweet

By The Associated Press Apr. 07, 2020 06:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker looks on before the start of their NCAA college football game against Utah, in Salt Lake City. A person familiar with the decision says Colorado coach Mel Tucker has agreed to lead Michigan State's football program. The person spoke Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2020, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring had not been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Colorado AD wants next head coach to share his commitment

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 13, 2020 03:42 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp walks on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Columbia, S.C. For South Carolina coach Will Muschamp, coming off his worst season in four with the Gamecocks, landing five-star defensive tackle Jordan Burch would be a welcome offseason victory. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
SEC's recruiting dominance particularly apparent this year

By Steve Megargee Feb. 05, 2020 06:12 PM EST

In this Nov. 2, 2018 photo, Hammond Skyhawks Jordan Burch (5) watches during the a high school football playoff game against Wilson Hall in Columbia, S.C. The-6-foot-5, 275-pound Burch is a potential immediate-impact player out for the Gamecocks. When the early signing period opened in December he announced he would stay close to home. But he didn't actually sign, leaving open the possibility LSU could be his final destination. (Jeff Blake/The State via AP)
Signing day: Undecided blue chips, finish strong, best class

By Ralph D, Russo Feb. 04, 2020 01:09 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 file photo, Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello throws against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif. Former Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello says he plans to finish his college career playing for Mike Leach at Mississippi State. Costello announced his decision via social media on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 less than a month after Mississippi State hired Leach away from Washington State.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Costello says he's leaving Stanford for Mississippi State

Feb. 03, 2020 07:01 PM EST

Mississippi State hires Zach Arnett as defensive coordinator

Jan. 22, 2020 04:36 PM EST
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State has named Zach Arnett as its defensive coordinator, less than two weeks after he had accepted the same position at...

Baylor's new head football coach Dave Aranda addresses the media during an NCAA college football news conference, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Waco, Texas. (Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
New Baylor coach Aranda sensed something special with Bears

Stephen Hawkins Jan. 20, 2020 02:01 PM EST

New Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich, center, is introduced by Washington State Athletic Director Pat Chun, left, and Washington State President Kirk Schulz during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in Pullman, Wash. (Pete Caster/Lewiston Tribune via AP)
Rolovich introduced at Wazzu, strikes all the right chords

By Tim Booth Jan. 16, 2020 07:15 PM EST

Mississippi State's Hill, Thompson staying for senior years

Jan. 15, 2020 08:31 PM EST
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill and linebacker Erroll Thompson have decided to return to school for their senior seasons...

Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich watches during the first half of the team's Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game against BYU, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Washington State hires Rolovich as coach, replacing Leach

By Tim Booth Jan. 14, 2020 07:47 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, right, meets LSU quarterback Joe Burrow on the field after a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
STAT WATCH: FBS record for TD passes among feats by Burrow

By Eric Olson Jan. 14, 2020 01:29 AM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich walks the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, in Boise, Idaho. Washington State is close to finalizing an agreement with Rolovich to take over as the Cougars' head football coach, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. (AP Photo/Steve Conner, File)
WSU Prez: Rolovich to be football coach at Washington State

By Tim Booth Jan. 14, 2020 12:54 AM EST

Pirate sets sail leaving Washington St to ponder what's next

By Tim Booth Jan. 09, 2020 07:09 PM EST
When Washington State athletic director Pat Chun got the phone call Thursday morning, it was less surprise and more a feeling of it finally happened. ...

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Washington State head coach Mike Leach looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado, in Pullman, Wash. Two people with knowledge of the decision says Mississippi State has hired Washington State's Mike Leach as its new head coach. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, because the school has not yet officially announced the move. Leach will replace Joe Moorhead, who was fired last week after two seasons. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Mississippi State hires Mike Leach away from Washington St

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 09, 2020 01:55 PM EST

Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III (5) runs for a first down against Washington State during the first half during the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Air Force tops Washington State 31-21 at Cheez-It Bowl

By John Marshall Dec. 28, 2019 01:44 AM EST

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun directs his team in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wyoming Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
No. 24 Air Force meets Washington State in Cheez-It Bowl

By John Marshall Dec. 26, 2019 04:06 PM EST

Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon scrambles out of the pocket as he is chased by Washington linebacker Joe Tryon during the second half of an NCAA college football game, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 in Seattle. Washington won 31-13. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington State, Air Force to meet in Cheez-It Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 08, 2019 07:09 PM EST

Washington State coach Mike Leach looks toward the scoreboard during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington State's Leach gets 1-year contract extension

Dec. 05, 2019 12:24 PM EST

Washington NCAA college football head coach Chris Petersen speaks at a news conference about his decision to resign at the end of the season, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, in Seattle. Petersen unexpectedly resigned on Monday, a shocking announcement with the Huskies coming off a 7-5 regular season and bound for a sixth straight bowl game under his leadership. Petersen will coach Washington in a bowl game, his final game in charge. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake is being promoted to head coach. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Petersen says being a head coach can ‘become very heavy’

By Tim Booth Dec. 03, 2019 12:42 PM EST