Valdosta Athletics

Legendary coach Mike Leach came to Titletown in 1992 as offensive coordinator, quarterback and receiver coach for newly hired head coach Hal Mumme.  The duo had been at Iowa Wesleyan College previously where they set numerous offensive records.  Mumme and Leach brought the "Air Raid" offense with them to Valdosta State as they guided VSU to its first appearances in the NCAA postseason in 1994 and 1996.  While at VSU, Leach helped the Blazers finish third nationally in passing at 349.3 yards per game and 15^th in total offense at 425 yards per game in 1995.  VSU led the Gulf South Conference in both categories and was third in scoring offense at 26 points per game.  The 1996 season was a year to remember as VSU won its first football league title, finishing 10-3 overall and 6-2 in GSC play.  Leach then went to Kentucky with Mumme where they continued to set records with the "Air Raid."  For his career, Leach spent 21 seasons as a head coach, holding an overall record of 158-107.  He coached at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State producing 16 winning seasons and coached in 17 bowl games.  Leach was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2023.