Tag: Hal Mumme

Mike Leach’s death has stunned and saddened the sports world

Mike Leach’s offensive prowess and eccentric personality made him one of the most compelling figures in college sports.

Football fans are stunned by the sudden loss of Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach, whose offensive prowess and eccentric personality made him one of the most compelling figures in college sports.

Leach, 61, died Monday night after complications from a heart condition, according to a university statement.

Leach’s role in developing the air raid offense under Hal Mumme defined not only his 35-year career, but his legacy in college football. Leach joined Oklahoma’s staff as offensive coordinator in 1999, transforming the Sooners’ 11th-place offense from the year before to first in the Big 12 in one season. He became the winningest coach in school history during his 10 years at Texas Tech and continued to break records during his eight-season run at Washington State.

Just weeks before his death, Leach led Mississippi State to its best regular-season finish (8-4) since his arrival in 2020. Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett will serve as interim coach as the Bulldogs prepare for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.

Before Leach’s death, social media was flooded with hope, prayers and well wishes for Leach and his family from fans, athletes, coaches and media figures. Many of those same people are now sharing memories and tributes on Twitter:

Former Vol Drew Richmond to play for Hal Mumme

Drew Richmond played for Tennessee from 2015-18.

Drew Richmond played for Tennessee from 2015-18, appearing in 28 contests.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman was a graduate transfer to USC in 2019.

He appeared in 12 games for the Trojans.

Richmond is set to play in The Spring League for the Linemen team. Hal Mumme is serving as head coach for the Linemen.

Mumme served as head coach at Kentucky from 1997-2000 in the Southeastern Conference. In 2020, he was offensive coordinator for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL.

Sep. 26, 1998: Head coach Hal Mumme of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on during the game against the Florida Gators at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators defeated the Wildcats 51-35. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

The Spring League will kick off its 2021 season on Thursday.

The Linemen will play the Conquerors Thursday at 10 p.m. EDT. Fox Sports 1 will televise the contest from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Renegades’ OC Hal Mumme coached on sidelines after breaking leg

Dallas Renegades coach Hal Mumme kept calling plays after suffering a broken leg Sunday in an XFL game.

A broken leg wasn’t enough to make longtime coach Hal Mumme throw in the towel during an XFL game Sunday.

The Dallas Renegades faced the Houston Roughnecks in the Texas Throwdown. In the second quarter, offensive coordinator Hal Mumme was sent tumbling after being hit by Dallas RB Cameron Artis-Payne on the sidelines.

Mumme got up and called plays for the remaining 2 1/2 quarters … with a broken leg. One of the brains behind the Air Raid offense made sure everyone knows he’s not soft on Twitter.

 

Mumme is 67 and is known for the trademark towel around his neck as well as offensive genius. When Dallas plays the New York Guardians Saturday, Mumme will call plays from the safety of the press box, the team announced.

On another leg front for the Renegades, starting quarterback Landry Jones, who was injured on a quarterback sneak in the loss to the Roughnecks, will be out for two weeks after aggravating a knee injury he suffered on the first day of XFL training camp.