When TCU takes the field for its College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, the Horned Frogs will pay tribute to Mike Leach, coach Sonny Dykes said. That tribute will include a sticker of a pirate flag on the helmets of all TCU players.
Leach, who coached for 21 seasons, died Dec. 12 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson from a heart condition. He was 61 years old.
Dykes was an assistant on Leach’s staff at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2006, serving as wide receivers coach and later co-offensive coordinator. Dykes, who previously worked alongside Leach as an assistant at Kentucky under head coach Hal Mumme, was heavily influenced by the “Air Raid” attack developed by Mumme and Leach.
TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley played quarterback at Texas Tech for Leach, who was nicknamed The Pirate.