Mike Leach reveals the true tragedy of USC/UCLA's move out of the Pac-12

Current Mississippi State coach Mike Leach has spent time all across the country with previous stops at Texas Tech and Washington State. With decades in the business, he has done his fair share of traveling across the country like new Big Ten teams USC and UCLA will do in the future.

As a former Pac-12 coach, Mike Leach discussed the recent move of USC and UCLA, and what it means for college football.

“Well it’s horribly tragic,” said Leach. “I mean it’s completely tragic and I hope the Pac-12 — and they assemble some other teams — stays together because that’s what’s best for college football.

“And then I do wonder, because I think that it’s going to be a little more difficult for USC and UCLA to keep everybody in southern California five times a year there. They’re taking two- and three-hour timezone trips. Now keep in mind the rest of the Big Ten only has to do it less than once every other year. I’ve been on trips like this, and I know what the expression looks like after one. And I’m probably going to get in trouble for this, but what do I care?”

While he is disappointed he will not see Washington State and others continue their rivalry games against the two departing schools, Leach does recognize the positive side of the story.

“I mean, look, it’s going to be fun for me to watch,” said Leach. “I’m not saying they won’t do well. I mean it might be such a good idea everyone’s going to do it. So we’ll see.”

Mike Leach on USC/UCLA move

After talking about the move from the perspective of the Pac-12 and SEC, Mike Leach broke down how he believes the decisions of USC and UCLA will impact Washington State. He started with a glowing review of the program now left behind.

“Washington State is a tremendous place,” said Leach. “One of the greatest gameday environments I’ve been to. And those teams in the northwest, they need to have a great conference, they need to have the opportunity to play. And to be perfectly honest, some of this is suffering sins of past, because the Pac-12 was left vulnerable because there was a failure to have a TV deal. So yeah, so there was definitely some conference mismanagement at the top, and that’s very sad for the schools, the players and the coaches.”