Former WSU football coach Mike Leach airlifted to hospital, listed in critical condition

Mike Leach, the current Mississippi State football coach and former Washington State University coach, was hospitalized in critical condition Monday, a day after being airlifted to a medical facility in Jackson due to what the university described as a “personal health issue” at his home in Starkville.

Leach was admitted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center on Sunday, approximately 125 miles from the Mississippi State campus.

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In a text message to the Associated Press on Monday, UMMC spokesperson Marc Rolph stated that Leach’s status was critical. According to the university, Leach, 61, was initially treated at Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville.

Leach has a 19-17 record in his third season at Mississippi State. He admitted to having pneumonia late in the season, which had left him with a lingering cough, but it was unclear whether his recent illness was related to this latest ailment.

The university said on Sunday that it would not comment further on Leach’s condition, but that “the institution’s thoughts and prayers are with Mike and (wife) Sharon and their family.”

Coach Leach’s family “is with him and appreciates the enormous messages of love and support for the coach, but also wishes that their family’s privacy be respected at this time,” according to a new statement released by the school on Monday.