Marcus Freeman shared a compassionate message to Mike Leach and Mississippi State’s football program following Leach’s death.

Leach died on Monday night as a result of complications from a heart condition. Tributes to Leach’s legacy and impact have been pouring in on Tuesday morning.

Freeman acknowledged Leach’s impact on college football and coaches across the country:

“Such an overwhelming feeling of sadness with the loss of Coach Leach. Regretfully, I never got to meet him, but his immense impact on the college football world is very visible,” Freeman said. “We’re sending our love & compassion to Coach Leach’s family & his beloved Mississippi State program.”

Leach served as a head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State. Leach was in his 3rd season as Mississippi State’s head coach.

In 2022, Mississippi State finished the regular season with a 8-4 record. In his last game as a head coach, Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. Leach had a 158-107 record as a head coach in 21 seasons.

Mississippi State is scheduled to face Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl in January.