Mike Leach dies at 61: 'RIP' trend sparks confusion after Mississippi State coach's 'massive' heart attack

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While the 61-year-old head football coach at Mississippi State University was escorted from his Starkville home, he did not receive medical attention for about ten to 15 minutes, according to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger. “Mike Leach needs a miracle, folks,” read a tweet by Robbie Faulk, who covers the Bulldogs for 247 Sports, shared on the day of the incident. “Continue to pray.” According to the Daily Mail, the situation is dire with Leach allegedly suffering seizures with the possibility of brain damage. 

As per the outlet, EMTs used a defibrillator on the football coach and delivered multiple shocks for a regular heart rate to be restored. Leach was initially taken to Oktibbeha County Hospital, where he was stabilized, before being transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, which is located roughly 125 miles away from his home in Jackson, by helicopter. He is currently being taken care of at UMMC. 

On the next morning, December 12, the university's football team released a statement stating the state of their coach. "Mississippi State University head football coach Mike Leach remains in critical condition at the University of Mississippi Medic Center in Jackson," the statement read. "Mike's family is with him and appreciates the overwhelming expressions of love and support for the coach, but also requests that their family's privacy be respected at this time. That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding coach Leach's condition, and the university will make no further comment at this time. MSU will issue additional information via social media when it becomes available."

Leach’s family is right by his side with two of his four children said to already be in Jackson and the other two are on their way to be alongside him. The heart attack comes after Leach informed ESPN that he had battled pneumonia throughout the regular season but was feeling better. Sid Salter, chief communication officer at Mississippi State, came forward to shut down rumors of Leach’s death that are widely spreading at the moment. As per the Daily Mail, he told WLBT that any claims suggesting the death of the coach "should be ignored." "Coach Leach is a fighter, and he is battling," Salter told the TV station.

Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett is slated to serve as interim head coach during Leach's absence. "Please keep Mike Leach in your prayers tonight. We are thinking about Mike, his wife Sharon, and all of his family, friends and players," wrote Brian Kelly, the head football coach at Louisiana State University, in a tweet. "My thoughts are with my mentor, my colleague and, more importantly, my friend, Mike Leach. While I am devastated by today’s news, I know Mike is a fighter with an incredible spirit and I know he will continue to battle. Prayers to Sharon and their extended family," read the University of Houston's head football team coach Dana Holgorsen's tweet.

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