Mike Leach coaching tree: Ranking every head coach to serve under The Pirate

There are few college coaching trees as impressive as the one stemming from Mike Leach.

We may have lost “The Pirate” Mike Leach late last year, but he has so many proteges and disciples who will always proudly swing their sword in honor of him.

Leach may have cut through all the noise by being different, 100 percent authentically himself. He may have had a quirky personality and gave the most interesting interviews of all time. However, he was cutting edge as an offensive mind and play caller. Along with mentor Hal Mumme, they devised the highly-influential Air Raid attack to put players in space to help offset inefficiencies.

For as long as there is college football, we will always see the impact Leach left on the field of play.

Mike Leach coaching tree: Ranking every head coach who ever served under him

Zach Arnett has the impossible task of replacing Mike Leach at Mississippi State

The newest branch to sprout from Leach’s coaching tree is perhaps the one that makes us feel the worst about the fact he is no longer with us. Of course, I am taking about Zach Arnett taking over from within for Leach at Mississippi State. Arnett was an innovative defensive coordinator under Leach the last three seasons. He was the only person who could carry the burden of replacing him.

Although the Bulldogs beat Illinois in their first bowl game without Leach, I do expect for Mississippi State to pull back this year under Arnett for obvious reasons. Eventually, he will learn what it takes to be a Power Five head coach. I’m not saying Mississippi State isn’t going bowling this season, but it also wouldn’t shock me if they were one of three SEC teams to be missing out.

I wish nothing but the best for Arnett and the rest of the program, but this is so incredibly tough…