Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach sustained a "personal health issue" at his home and is in critical condition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., the school said Monday.
"Mike's family is with him and appreciates the overwhelming expressions of love and support for the coach, but also requests that their family's privacy be respected at this time," the school said.
Mississippi State announced Sunday night that Leach was transferred by ambulance from his home to the hospital. The school also said that defensive coordinator Zach Arnett will take control of the football team until Leach returns.
Leach, 61, led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record this season. He owns a 19-17 record with the Bulldogs since he was hired in 2020. Leach led Washington State to a 55-47 record in eight seasons at the school. He went 84-43 in 10 seasons at Texas Tech from 2000 through 2009.
Leach owns a 158-107, and 8-9 in bowl games, in 21 seasons as a college head coach. He also worked as an assistant at Oklahoma, Kentucky, Valdosta State, Iowa Wesleyan, Cal Poly and College of the Desert. He also coached the Pori Bears of the American Football Association of Finland.
The Bulldogs will face Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl at 11 a.m. EST Jan. 2 in Tampa, Fla.
