Washington State's Mike Leach is set to become the next head coach at Mississippi State.
Pete Thamel tweeted the news. We can confirm the news, and a number of other outlets have followed with confirmation.
Leach had agreed to a contract extension at Wazzu back in early December. The new deal was set to pay him $4 million next season, and for the next four seasons after that.
In eight seasons in Pullman, Leach led the program to a record of 55-47, and led the Cougars to their fifth straight bowl appearance, and sixth in the past seven years. He was the first coach in Wazzu history to lead the team to an 11-win season, has a top ten finish under his belt there, and is a two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year winner.
A name that has come up regarding a number of searches over the years, Leach had been in the mix at places like Arkansas and Tennessee, just to name a few. It also means Leach is one of just a handful of coaches to have landed three different head coaching jobs at three different Power Five programs.
Steve Berkowitz tweets that Leach will owe Wazzu a buyout of $2.25 million, and that he leaves behind a rolling 5-year deal that included a $750k retention bonus payment come January 15th had he remained with the Cougars.
One of the most innovative offensive mind, and entertaining personalities in college football coming to the rugged SEC is sure to be quite entertaining.
Athletic director John Cohen shared one of the tweets of the year to tease the hire.
The move means 21 head coaching jobs have come open this off season. Keep track of all of the movement here. Stay tuned to The Scoop
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