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College Football Hall Of Fame Changes Decision On Mike Leach

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 29, 2025 12:20 PM ET

Despite all the success he had from 2000-2022, Mike Leach has been ineligible to make the College Football Hall of Fame for the past few years.

Leach, who passed away in December 2022, finished his career with a 158-106 record. In order to make the College Football Hall of Fame, coaches must have at least 100 career games on their résumé as well as a winning percentage of .600 or better.

Unfortunately for Leach, he missed the cut due to a winning percentage of .596. As you'd imagine, the college football world doesn't agree with that decision.

"Coach Leach, in my mind, and I believe in most of the people in this room’s mind, is a no-doubt Hall of Fame," USC coach Lincoln Riley previously said. "He impacted our game more in the last 50 years than a lot of other people. Not only with his legacy but also with his football acumen. His air raid offense is the dominant offense when you look at high school football, its elements in college football, and all the way translating into the NFL. We all know Y-cross, we all know that six is four verticals. We all understand that rocket laser where tailback screens rocket to the right, laser to the left."

Thankfully, the College Football Hall of Fame will change its criteria for the class of 2027.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 06: Head Coach Mike Leach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs arrives at the stadium before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

According to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, the required winning percentage to make the College Football Hall of Fame will be lowered to .595, which would make Leach eligible in the future.

"Great news for Mike Leach fans: College Football Hall of Fame will lower win percentage in 2027 from 60 to 59.5 percent, which will make the former Mississippi State/Texas Tech/Washington State eligible to join the hall," McMurphy wrote on X.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, football fans around the country agree with this move. After all, Leach deserves a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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