Mississippi State University head football coach Mike Leach suffered a ‘massive heart attack’ in Starkville on Sunday and was transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he is still being cared for on Monday.
Leach, 61, collapsed at his home in Starkville, but did not receive medical attention for between 10 to 15 minutes.
EMTs used a defibrillator machine and delivered multiple shocks to restore normal heart rhythm.
It appears, according to sources, that Leach may have suffered seizures with the possibility of brain damage.
Sources said the situation is dire, and MSU said Leach was in “critical condition” in a statement Monday.
Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach had a massive heart attack on Sunday in Starkville and was transferred to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he is still being cared for on Monday.
https://t.co/Omdu7tyDp4— Clarion Ledger (@clarionledger) December 12, 2022
Prayers for Mike Leach and his family🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/n3v7IvDubZ
— 🚫 LEE Ring (@HBTFD1) December 12, 2022
Update on MSU Head Coach Mike Leach: pic.twitter.com/t4e8dPy4YO
— Sid Salter (@sidsalter) December 12, 2022
Mississippi State issued this statement:
Mississippi State University Head Football Coach Mike Leach had a personal health issue at his home earlier today (Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022). That issue led to a decision to transfer Coach Leach to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson by ambulance. That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding Coach Leach’s condition, and the university will make no other comment at this time other than to say that the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and Sharon and their family.
Clarion Ledger reported:
Leach is in his third season with the Bulldogs and guided Mississippi State to a 24-22 victory over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 24. He is 19-17 in three seasons with the Bulldogs.
Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett is “in charge of the MSU football team” until Leach’s return, school president Mark E. Keenum and interim athletic director Bracky Brett said.
After the regular season, Leach told ESPN he had battled pneumonia throughout the season but was feeling better.
Sid Salter, chief communication officer at Mississippi State, told WLBT that any rumors suggesting the death of Leach “should be ignored.”
“Coach Leach is a fighter, and he is battling,” Salter told the TV station.
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