H.R. No. 35
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt by
  the family, friends, colleagues, and former players of pioneering
  football coach Mike Leach, who passed away on December 12, 2022, at
  the age of 61; and
         WHEREAS, Over the course of 21 seasons as a head coach at
  Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State Universities,
  Mr. Leach became a beloved figure in the sport of college football,
  known not only for his influential, high-powered offenses but also
  for his wit, curiosity, and wide-ranging interests; and
         WHEREAS, Born on March 9, 1961, in Susanville, California,
  Michael Charles Leach was the son of Frank Leach and the former
  Sandra Rich; he was raised in Cody, Wyoming, where he became an
  Eagle Scout before going on to earn a bachelor's degree from Brigham
  Young University, a master's degree from the United States Sports
  Academy, and a juris doctor degree from the Pepperdine University
  Caruso School of Law; after completing his legal studies in 1986, he
  decided not to become a lawyer and instead embarked on a career as a
  football coach; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Leach got his start at California Polytechnic
  State University in 1987, and he later held posts at the College of
  the Desert and in a European football league; in 1989, he was hired
  as offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan University under head
  coach Hal Mumme; the innovative, record-setting "Air Raid" offense
  they developed led the two to subsequent stops at Valdosta State
  University and the University of Kentucky; Mr. Leach then joined
  the coaching staff at the University of Oklahoma, taking over a
  middling Sooner offense that became one of the nation's top units in
  just one season under his direction; and
         WHEREAS, In 1999, Mr. Leach became head coach at Texas Tech,
  and during his 10 seasons at the helm, he guided the Red Raiders to a
  bowl game each year and his 84 victories made him the winningest
  football coach in the university's history; the highlight of his
  tenure came in 2008, when the team won 11 games, and he received
  three national Coach of the Year awards; he went on to spend eight
  seasons as head coach at Washington State, where he compiled a 55-47
  record and was selected the 2018 American Football Coaches
  Association National Coach of the Year in addition to garnering two
  Pac-12 Coach of the Year accolades; in 2020, he took the reins at
  Mississippi State and led the Bulldogs to three bowl appearances,
  recording an 8-4 mark in 2022; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Leach was passionate about education, and his
  teams routinely set records for GPA and graduation rate; he taught a
  collegiate course on insurgent warfare and football strategies and
  authored two books, the bestseller Swing Your Sword: Leading the
  Charge in Football and Life and Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of
  an American Warrior; moreover, he was a gifted mentor, and many of
  his assistant coaches went on to successful head-coaching careers;
  and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Leach enjoyed the love and
  support of his wife, the former Sharon Smith; they became the
  parents of four children, Janeen, Kimberly, Cody, and Kiersten, and
  they later welcomed six grandchildren into the family; and
         WHEREAS, A singular presence in the sport of college
  football, Mike Leach was admired for his honesty, intellect, and
  irreverent personality, and his myriad achievements will continue
  to be admired for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Michael Charles Leach
  and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
  wife, Sharon Leach; to his daughters, Janeen Clark, Kimberly Betty,
  and Kiersten Leach; to his son, Cody Leach; to his father, Frank
  Leach; to his sisters, Lindsey Andrus, Mary Quackenbush, and Cara
  Williams; to his brother, Tim Leach; to his six grandchildren; and
  to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mike Leach.
 
  Holland
  Burrows
  Moody
  Schaefer
  Tepper
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 35 was unanimously adopted by a rising
  vote of the House on March 8, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House