The Long Overdue Recognition of Mike Leach

The College Football Hall of Fame finally adjusted its rules to allow Mike Leach to be considered for induction. This change comes too late for Leach, who passed away in 2022. However, starting next year, he will be eligible for the honor. The National Football Foundation lowered the win percentage requirement from . 600 to . 595. This small adjustment was necessary because Leach's career win percentage was . 598. He was just two wins shy of the old threshold. This change was long overdue. Leach's impact on the game is undeniable. He developed the Air Raid offense, which has influenced every offensive system in America. His coaching record speaks for itself. He led Texas Tech to 10 straight winning seasons. He also turned around struggling programs at Washington State and Mississippi State. Many of his former players and assistants have gone on to become successful head coaches. The change in rules is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't fix the underlying problem. The arbitrary nature of the Hall of Fame eligibility criteria remains. Other coaches, like Howard Schnellenberger, have made significant contributions to the game but are not eligible for induction. Schnellenberger helped build the Miami dynasty and shape Louisville and FAU. He won the Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, but he is not Hall of Fame eligible. This sends a confusing message to coaches who are trying to build successful programs.

The criteria for player eligibility is even more complicated. Players must earn First-Team All-America honors from one of the five NCAA recognized selectors. This makes it difficult for quarterbacks, as one player can monopolize All-America selections. Case Keenum, for example, passed for more yards than any quarterback in college football history at Houston. He won the Sammy Baugh Trophy twice, but he is not eligible for the Hall of Fame. This arbitrary benchmark overlooks the broader context of a player's career. The College Football Hall of Fame should honor the diversity of success in the sport. Some coaches win national championships, while others innovate the game and turn around struggling programs. The Hall of Fame should recognize this breadth of achievement, not just arbitrary benchmarks. The adjustment for Leach is a start, but there is still work to be done to ensure that all deserving candidates are considered.

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