Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach Hospitalized in Jackson – Orange County Register

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State coach Mike Leach was hospitalized Sunday after what the university called “a personal health issue” that occurred at his Starkville home.

Leach, 61, was first treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, which is about 200 miles from Mississippi State, said the university.

UMMC spokesman Marc Rolph said Leach was on the hospital’s patient list but had no information regarding the coach’s condition.

The school said in a statement it would have no further comment on Leach’s condition, adding “the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and (wife) Sharon and their family.”

“Prayers for Coach Leach and his family. We’re all on the same team tonight,” Mississippi athletic director Keith Carter said on Twitter.

Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett was tasked with the football team by Mississippi State President Mark Keenum and acting athletic director Bracky Brett as he prepares for a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance against Illinois on January 2 in Tampa, Florida.

Leach is in his third season at Mississippi State, going 19-17. He admitted a bout of pneumonia at the end of the season which caused a persistent cough.

Leach, known for his prolific air raid offenses, is 158-107 in 21 seasons as a head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State.