Mike Leach is the next head coach at Mississippi State, multiple outlets reported Thursday.
Leach, 58, recently signed a contract extension at Washington State through the 2024 season.
Leach is 139-90 as a head coach. He compiled a 55-47 record with six bowl appearances in eight seasons with the Cougars. He was 84-43 with nine bowl trips in 10 seasons at Texas Tech from 2000-09.
He led Washington State to a 6-7 record in 2019, capped by a 31-21 loss to Air Force in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 27 in Phoenix.
He would replace Joe Moorhead, who was fired last week after going 14-12 with two bowl appearances in two seasons with the Bulldogs.
Known for his colorful quotes and prolific “Air Raid” passing attacks, Leach previously coached in the SEC as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Kentucky from 1997-98.
The high-profile hiring of Leach would heighten the annual Egg Bowl intrigue, with Ole Miss making its own splash by hiring head coach Lane Kiffin last month.
Kiffin sent a message to Leach on Twitter, writing “Welcome to the state old pirate and friend!!”
