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COLUMN: How Mike Leach Permanently Changed Oklahoma’s Culture, and More

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COLUMN: How Mike Leach Permanently Changed Oklahoma’s Culture, and More


What sort of affect might one assistant coach have made at a school soccer big like Oklahoma in only one yr?

If that assistant was Mike Leach, then the affect is incalculable — and, virtually 1 / 4 century later, ongoing.

Leach, 61, reportedly fell sufferer to an enormous coronary heart assault on Sunday and tragically died Monday. Buddies and colleagues are lauding Leach for his distinctive personalty — quirky and irreverent, humorous, however from an oddball perspective. His press convention persona virtually grew to become its personal cottage trade for countless on-line giggles.

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However it must be emphasised what a superb soccer thoughts Leach was.

Leach’s early life in soccer had been spent on the desk of BYU legend and offensive savant LaVell Edwards. Among the many Cougars’ quarterbacks throughout Leach’s time in Provo had been Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon and Steve Younger.

Leach earned his bachelor’s diploma from BYU and obtained a Juris Physician from Pepperdine. In 1987, he obtained into teaching full-time and commenced to unfold his distinctive soccer insights.

He joined Hal Mumme’s workers at Iowa Wesleyan in 1989. It was the pairing with Mumme that produced classic Leach: three years in Iowa, 5 years in Georgia at Valdosta State, then two years at Kentucky, turning Wildcat soccer right into a type of basketball on grass.

The duo hatched their “air raid” offense on Division I soccer, and the outcomes could be seen at just about each stage of the sport at present, from youth league to highschool to varsity and even within the NFL.

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It was nonetheless Mumme calling the performs, however Leach’s enter on their improvements at Kentucky popularized the unfold, made UK quarterback Tim Sofa the No. 1 choose within the draft and ensured Leach would have an indelible legacy within the sport.

The synchronicity of Leach and Mumme crossing paths with Bob Stoops in 1997 and ’98 — at simply the correct time in school soccer historical past — grew to become the stuff of legend.

Stoops had created a monster as Kansas State’s defensive coordinator below Invoice Snyder. In three seasons below Steve Spurrier at Florida, Stoops plied that monsterous protection right into a nationwide championship.

Stoops has famously informed the story many instances that when he obtained the top teaching job at Oklahoma and wanted to rent an offensive coordinator, he requested himself who was it that had given him essentially the most issues at Florida.

The Wildcats scored 28 factors in opposition to Stoops’ Gator protection in 1997 in a 55-28 loss, and scored 35 in 1998 in a 51-35 loss. These had been staggering outcomes in opposition to a Gators protection that gave up simply 16.1 factors per sport in opposition to everybody else in 1997 and 11.8 in 1998.

“I knew I couldn’t rent Hal, he was the top coach,” Stoops stated Tuesday throughout an interview with Toby Rowland on KREF in Norman. “However I needed the offense. I requested Hal, I stated, ‘Can Mike do what you do?’ As a result of Mike was his protégée. He was all the time with him. I knew Hal referred to as the performs. And to me, that mattered. He stated, ‘Oh, completely.’ ‘Might he be the chief in entrance of the offense?’ And he stated, ‘Completely.’ In order that was what I needed to do.”

Underneath Stoops, with Mike Stoops and Brent Venables as his co-defensive coordinators and Leach as his offensive coordinator, Oklahoma rotated 5 years of dropping and mediocrity and produced a 7-5 file in 1999.

Not nice, however sustainiable. Not good, however lasting.

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Leach’s speedy affect was on offensive manufacturing, however greater than that, he recruited Josh Heupel out of Snow Junior Faculty — Heupel’s official go to was merely a two-day marathon movie session, entrenched in a darkish room with Leach — and the savvy left-hander led OU to the nationwide championship a yr later.

Leach additionally recruited 2002 Rose Bowl MVP Nate Hybl as a switch from Georgia. He additionally recruited Tuttle product and 2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White, who performed in two nationwide championship video games.

“He had a big impact on us at OU in that first signing class,” Stoops stated, “with Josh Heupel, Nate Hybl and Jason White.”

Leach didn’t get to benefit from the fruits of the air raid seeds he planted. He took the top teaching job at Texas Tech after only one season in Norman and rebuilt that program in his personal quirky however infinitely prolific picture.

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Though Leach’s tenure in crimson and cream lasted lower than 12 months, it merely can’t be overstated how everlasting his fingerprints grew to become throughout his quick time at Oklahoma.

With out Leach, OU would have by no means landed Heupel. With out Heupel, Stoops may need needed to wait a protracted, very long time to win his nationwide championship. With out that 13-0 season in yr two of the Stoops period, the complete OU athletic division can be considerably lesser at present.

The 2000 title restored optimism at Oklahoma and introduced a stage of donor generosity that hadn’t been seen at OU — ever. That cash ignited a constructing increase that elevated not solely each athletic facility on campus, however numerous educational and residential amenities as nicely.

And naturally, as Stoops handed the offense to Mark Mangino, Chuck Lengthy, Kevin Wilson and finally Heupel, the Sooner offense maintained parts of Leach’s air raid ideas. Heupel’s successor was Lincoln Riley, who studied below Leach himself at Texas Tech. Even at present, Jeff Lebby’s offense stems from Artwork Briles at Baylor. Briles, too, was a Leach disciple at Tech.

Now, with luminaries like White, Sam Bradford, Landry Jones, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams, Oklahoma lays declare to being “QBU.”

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Leach’s enduring legacy as an offensive innovator — directing a scheme that matches on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper on gamedays and is infinitely quarterback-friendly — is one factor.

However doing it at a spot like Oklahoma is much more mind-blowing. For seven a long time, OU’s DNA was operating the soccer, pounding away on the bottom, grinding defenses all the way down to a nub with a relentless operating sport constructed on each energy and pace.

For the reason that days of Bennie Owen, by means of the Break up-T dynasty of Bud Wilkinson, and out and in of the wishbone wizardry of Barry Switzer, generations of Sooner Nation knew solely how you can run the ball. Like at present’s service academies, throwing the soccer at OU was an oddity, a determined gambit, a one-off.

Possibly Switzer would have efficiently shifted to an aerial offense if Troy Aikman had stayed wholesome — and if his rogue gamers hadn’t gotten him fired. Who can say for positive?

However even after Switzer left, whether or not it was Gary Gibbs or Howard Schnellenberger or John Blake attempting unsuccessfully to alter the tradition and set up the ahead go, the Sooner offenses of the Nineteen Nineties virtually inevitably resorted to having to run the soccer — largely as a result of they couldn’t throw it.

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Even after Leach arrived and proved it was doable to win in Norman with massive passing numbers, many followers resisted.

“We’d win extra if we went again to the wishbone,” was a standard criticism on sports activities speak radio through the ’99 season.

Now, OU is taken into account the vanguard of offensive soccer. In an trade that’s inherently transient, Mike Leach’s imprint might be everlasting.

“Mike,” stated Stoops, “was large.” 



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Oklahoma

Drone intercepts Oklahoma tornado

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Drone intercepts Oklahoma tornado


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A drone captured new video of the vortex of an Oklahoma tornado. According to the drone storm-chasing project, “OTUS”, this is a perspective no one has seen before. Louis Tucker, the drone’s pilot, spoke with NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz about the data it is collecting and the future of storm-chasing. 

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Can Oklahoma State baseball make run in Big 12, NCAA tournaments? Examining Cowboys resume

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Can Oklahoma State baseball make run in Big 12, NCAA tournaments? Examining Cowboys resume


A month ago, it was fair to turn and look away from Oklahoma State baseball.

The Cowboys looked nothing like themselves. Losses piled up. The offense struggled. The pitching was worse.

Sitting below .500, the belief was that OSU would miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time under coach Josh Holliday.

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My, how things can change.

There are few teams hotter than the Pokes entering conference tournament week. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of Arizona State. They’ve won 9 of 10 games.

OSU is suddenly back in the NCAA Tournament picture, too.

The Cowboys enter the Big 12 Tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday as the No. 7 seed. They’ll face Baylor at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.

Here is what to know about OSU entering the postseason:

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Oklahoma State baseball resume

  • Record: 27-22 (15-12 Big 12, 7th)
  • RPI: 45th (through May 18 games)
  • Projected seed: USA TODAY: No. 3 seed in Chapel Hill Regional (last four in); D1BaseballNo. 3 seed in Corvallis Regional
  • Notable: The Cowboys’ mid-season struggles and cancellation of several Big 12 games can be overlooked in part to a tough schedule. OSU’s strength of schedule ranks No. 11 in the country, according to D1Baseball.com’s RPI.

OSU baseball Big 12 Tournament preview

Never count out the Cowboys in this tournament.

The format is different — an increase to 12 teams and a change to single elimination — but the talent is just the same under Holliday.

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The Cowboys get a boost by opening with Baylor, a team they took two of three from and nearly swept on the road less than two weeks ago.

But this is no easy field. Eight teams are ranked in the top 50 RPI and all 12 are in the top 90.

Should the Cowboys win, they face No. 2-seeded Kansas. The Jayhawks swept OSU in late March, signaling the downturn of OSU’s season. Another win could mean a date with No. 3 TCU.

Though that appears daunting, the Cowboys have won this tournament four times, including last season.

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Why Oklahoma State baseball can make a run in NCAA Tournament

First, the Cowboys have to get in.

Though projections are favorable — Baseball America and D1Baseball.com both have OSU in as of Tuesday — a win or two in Arlington will go a long way to make them feel safe.

But get in and the Cowboys face significantly less pressure than the past three seasons. There will be no home regional, which OSU has lost each year at O’Brate Stadium since 2022.

Getting away from Stillwater could be a positive.

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Plus, it helps that OSU has a bona fide ace in left-hander Harrison Bodendorf, who leads the league with 10 wins and is tied for second with a 2.43 ERA.

Mario Pesca and Hunter Watkins have also become reliable starters in the rotation.

And don’t forget about the Cowboys’ offense that can overwhelm opponents.

Slugger Nolan Schubart is third in the conference with 17 home runs after a slow start. Colin Brueggemann is not far behind with 14. And Brayden Smith has become a lightning bolt for the Cowboys’ lineup.

OSU has outscored its opponents 80-27 over the last 10 games.

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Why OSU baseball can’t make a run in NCAA Tournament

Even though getting away from O’Brate Stadium might make some OSU fans who remember the past all too well feel a little better, it shouldn’t.

OSU is 18-12 at home and 5-12 in true road games.

That’s far from ideal.

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So, which bullpen will show up? The one that has been rock solid in the final month or the one that was a total disaster in March?

Legendary pitching coach Rob Walton has worked his magic turning the staff around before he enters retirement. But things can turn in an instant for any college pitcher.

And though the Cowboys can slug, there are issues with the lineup. Schubart and Brueggemann are prone to strikeouts. And facing a team with strong lefties can neutralize the duo.



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What channel is Kentucky baseball vs Oklahoma on today? How to watch SEC Tournament 2025

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What channel is Kentucky baseball vs Oklahoma on today? How to watch SEC Tournament 2025


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Kentucky baseball is set to begin postseason play this afternoon against Oklahoma.

The 13th-seeded Wildcats (29-23, 13-17 SEC) will face the 12th-seeded Sooners (33-19, 14-16) in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama.

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Kentucky will attempt to replicate its magical postseason last year, when it reached the College World Series.

This is the fourth time the Wildcats are playing the Sooners this season; Kentucky won the previous three matchups.

Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky’s first game in the SEC Tournament, including bracket, schedule, seeding and more:

  • Date: Tuesday, May 20
  • Time: 2 p.m.
  1. Texas (42-11)
  2. Arkansas (43-12)
  3. LSU (42-13)
  4. Vanderbilt (39-16)
  5. Georgia (42-14)
  6. Auburn (38-17)
  7. Ole Miss (37-18)
  8. Tennessee (41-15)
  9. Alabama (40-15)
  10. Florida (37-19)
  11. Mississippi State (34-20)
  12. Oklahoma (33-19)
  13. Kentucky (29-23)
  14. Texas A&M (28-25)
  15. South Carolina (28-28)
  16. Missouri (16-38)

All times Eastern.

First round: Tuesday, May 20

  • Game 1: No. 9 seed Alabama vs. No. 16 seed Missouri | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 2: No. 12 seed Oklahoma vs. No. 13 seed Kentucky | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 3: No. 10 seed Florida vs. No. 15 seed South Carolina | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 4: No. 11 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 14 seed Texas A&M | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Second round: Wednesday, May 21

  • Game 5: No. 8 seed Tennessee vs. Game 1 winner | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 6: No. 5 seed Georgia vs. Game 2 winner | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 7: No. 7 seed Ole Miss vs. Game 3 winner | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 8: No. 6 seed Auburn vs. Game 4 winner | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 22

  • Game 9: No. 1 seed Texas vs. Game 5 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 10: No. 4 seed Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 23

  • Game 11: No. 2 seed Arkansas vs. Game 7 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 12: No. 3 seed LSU vs. Game 8 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Semifinals: Saturday, May 24

  • Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 1 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
  • Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 4:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Championship: Sunday, May 25

  • Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)

Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.



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