Rule change makes Mike Leach eligible for Hall of Fame

A rule change introduced on Thursday makes the late Mike Leach eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame.

The National Football Foundation dropped the minimal required successful share for coaches from .600 to .595, a change that goes into impact with the 2027 poll.

Leach, who died on Dec. 12, 2022 at 61, compiled a .596 successful share (158-107 document) over 21 seasons at Texas Tech (2000-09), Washington State (2012-19) and Mississippi State (2020-22).

All different eligibility necessities for coaches stay unchanged, together with minimums of 10 seasons and 100 video games.

Coaches turn into eligible for consideration three full seasons after retirement or instantly following retirement if they’re a minimum of 70 years of age. Active coaches turn into eligible upon reaching the age of 75.

“The NFF is committed to preserving the integrity and prestige of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame,” NFF president and CEO Steve Hatchell mentioned in a information launch. “This adjustment reflects thoughtful dialogue with leaders across the sport and allows us to better recognize coaches whose contributions to the game extend beyond a narrow statistical threshold.”

Leach was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2008 and the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018. He led his groups to 17 bowl video games.

Leach handed away following problems associated to a coronary heart situation. Three weeks later, interim coach Zach Arnett guided Mississippi State to a 19-10 win towards Illinois within the ReliaQuest Bowl.

–Field Level Media