Mississippi State honors Mike Leach in first home game since his death

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The Mississippi State Bulldogs are playing their first game since the sudden death of head coach Mike Leach.

Leach was 61 when he died in December. He had just wrapped up his third season coaching the program.

University President Mark Keenum and athletic director Zac Selmon presented Leach's family with a framed jersey with the No. 21 and a signed executive order that all flags on state buildings and grounds would fly at half-staff for a day in his honor.

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Mike Leach, head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field Oct. 15, 2022, in Lexington, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

A tribute video played on the scoreboard and Leach's signature appeared on the sidelines. 

Leach died of complications from a heart condition as the team was gearing up for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois. The Bulldogs won that game, 19-10.

"Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape," Keenum said in a statement at the time of Leach's passing. 

"His innovative 'Air Raid’ offense changed the game. Mike's keen intellect and unvarnished candor made him one of the nation's true coaching legends. His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike's profound curiosity, his honesty and his wide open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.

"Mike's death also underscores the fragility and uncertainty of our lives," Keenum added. "Three weeks ago, Mike and I were together in the locker room