LOOK: Florida honoring Mike Leach with helmet decal for Las Vegas bowl matchup
Florida is honoring former Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach on Saturday, following his tragic passing earlier this week due to a massive heart attack.
The Gators are preparing to take on Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl, and they’ll be paying tribute to Leach with a decal on their helmets. Check it out below, which Florida shared to Twitter on Saturday afternoon.
Leach’s passing rocked the SEC, and the college football world as a whole. In the days after, it’s been heart-warming to see so many coaches, media members and athletes come out and tell some wonderful stories about the charismatic leader, who we’ll all miss incredibly.
Urban Meyer tells incredible story about Mike Leach after tragic death
The college football world is still grappling with the death of Mike Leach, the Mississippi State coach who was one of the most vibrant personalities in the game. Seemingly everyone connected to the sport has their own Mike Leach story, each as meaningful, charming or hilarious as the last.
Former Florida and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer chimed in on Sirius XM College Sports radio on Tuesday, sharing his memories of Mike Leach with Rick Neuheisel.
“The other Mike Leach that I know, Rick, is the Key West Mike Leach,” Meyer said. “I’ve been to his house many times. The Captain Tony’s (Saloon) where he has the stool there. Just became such good friends over the years that at least three, four times a year I was down there to see him.”
Leach’s Key West crib was a popular spot to meet with the eccentric college football coach, though you’d be equally likely to end up spending a day with him out on the water.
Meyer recalled many of those trips.
“We went out, we had mutual fishing friends,” Meyer said. “When I shared the news with our fishing friends last night it was heart-breaking. Because he was as much fun on a fishing boat as he was. He loved life, enjoyed life. I know he loved sharing in his beautiful kids and his grandkids. That legend will carry on for many; that legend will never go away.”