Registration for the Spring 2020 semester at Holmes Community College is now open.

Holmes offers several campus locations, including the Goodman Campus, the Grenada Campus, the Ridgeland Campus, the Yazoo Center in Yazoo City and the Attala Center in Kosciusko.

On-campus classes begin Jan. 13.

On-Campus Registration dates are:

• Grenada Campus: Jan. 7 (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)
• Attala Center: Jan. 7 (4:00 – 6:00 pm)
• Yazoo Center: Jan. 7 (4:00 – 6:00 pm)
• Goodman Campus: Jan. 8 (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)
• Ridgeland Campus: Jan. 9 (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)

Students wanting to register for eLearning (online) classes may register via the internet by tapping ENROLL NOW.

For more information, visit www.holmescc.edu.

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The Attala County Board of Supervisors named a new president and vice-president Monday morning during the first meeting of 2020.

The board appointed Steven Goss (District 3) as board president and Tim Pinkard (District 5) as vice-president.

Christian Gardner and Scott Pickle were also re-appointed by the board to serve as County/State-Aid Engineer and Board Attorney, respectively.

The board also appointed Kimberly Cuny as deputy coroner.

This meeting was also the first official meeting for new supervisors Bill Joe Coffee (District 2) and Willie Perteet (District 4) and Chancery Clerk Taylor Casey.

During the meeting, the board also approved the second quarter budget for the Attala County Sheriff and Tax Collector offices and received bids for the county depository.

The next meeting of the Attala County Board of Supervisors will be held Tuesday, Jan. 21.

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The Kosciusko Police Department is searching for a missing person. Investigator Martin Roby said officers are asking for helping locating 39-year-old Batinna Christina Rice. Rice has not been seen or heard from since Thursday, Jan. 2. She was last seen wearing grey leggings and rain boots. Anyone with any information on her whereabouts is asked to call the... Read More.

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On 01-06-2020, Josh L. Stroud, a 38 year old w/m from Kosciusko was arrested for Contempt of Court on West Adams Street by Captain Cody Williams.

On 01-06-2020, Cory R. Hughes, a 21 year old w/m from Kosciusko was arrested for DUI-Controlled Substance, No Drivers License and Domestic Violence-Simple Assault on South Madison Street by Captain Cody Williams.

On 01-05-2020, Cordarrius C. Jamison, a 19 year old b/m from Kosciusko was arrested for Carry of a Concealed Weapon on Fenwick Street by Lt. Matt Ward.

On 01-05-2020, Chemetris J. Haywood, a 31 year old b/f from Kosciusko was arrested for No Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and Failure to Appear on James H. Meredith Street by Officer Robert Overby.

On 01-05-2020, Kristen M. Ables, a 35 year old w/f from Kosciusko was arrested for Failure to Appear on Thomas Circle by Officer Casey Pounders.

On 01-04-2020,Jacqueline K. (Smith) Dickerson, a 32 year old w/f from Kosciusko was arrested for Suspended Drivers License, Improper Equipment and Improper Turn on West Adams Street by Officer Robert Overby.

On 01-02-2020, Michael L. Moudy, a 42 year old w/m from Kosciusko was arrested for Contempt of Court on West Adams Street by Lt. Devante Lewis.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records published are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed. Arrests made by Kosciusko PD.

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A Mississippi prosecutor says he won’t decide whether to try a man a seventh time in a quadruple murder case.

District Attorney Doug Evans filed a court order Monday recusing himself and asking the Mississippi attorney general’s office to decide whether to try Curtis Flowers again in the death penalty case.

On Dec. 16, Flowers was released from custody for the first time in 22 years after a judge granted a request for bail.

Flowers was convicted four times in connection with the 1996 killings in Winona: twice for individual slayings and twice for all four.

Two other trials involving all four deaths ended in mistrials. (AP)

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Mississippi lawmakers are being sworn in today to start the four-year term.

Republicans control of both the House and the Senate. The opening day is filled with formalities.

The House will elect Republican Philip Gunn for a third term as speaker. Republican Tate Reeves is completing his second term as lieutenant governor, and he will preside over the 52-member Senate on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The next lieutenant governor, Republican Delbert Hosemann, will be inaugurated Thursday, with most other statewide elected officials.

The House and Senate will both elect new people to the second-highest leadership post. (AP)

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The National Weather Service in Jackson is warning residents of central and southern Mississippi to be prepared for heavy rain and strong storms beginning Friday night and lasting into Saturday evening.

Heavy rain, large hail, damaging wind gusts , and tornadoes are all possible with this weather system.

The timing for the first round of storms is between late Friday into Saturday morning.

Residents in the path of the storms should have an emergency plan and being gathering all essential supplies that might be useful in the event of a severe weather outbreak (flashlights, batteries, bottled water, etc.).

Continue to monitor Breezy 101 and Breezynews.com for updates.

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Today is Wednesday, Jan. 8, the eighth day of 2020. There are 358 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Jan. 8, 1815, the last major engagement of the War of 1812 came to an end as U.S. forces defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, not having gotten word of the signing of a peace treaty.

On this date:

In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson outlined his Fourteen Points for lasting peace after World War I. Mississippi became the first state to ratify the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which established Prohibition.

In 1935, rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson, in his State of the Union address, declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America.”

In 1968, the Otis Redding single “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was released on the Volt label almost a month after the singer’s death in a plane crash.

In 1973, the Paris peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam resumed.

In 1982, American Telephone and Telegraph settled the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against it by agreeing to divest itself of the 22 Bell System companies.

In 1987, for the first time, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 2,000, ending the day at 2,002.25.

In 1998, Ramzi Yousef (RAHM’-zee YOO’-sef), the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was sentenced in New York to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In 2004, A U.S. Black Hawk medivac helicopter crashed near Fallujah, Iraq, killing all nine soldiers aboard.

In 2006, the first funerals were held in West Virginia for the 12 miners who’d died in the Sago (SAY’-goh) Mine disaster six days earlier.

In 2008, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton powered to victory in New Hampshire’s 2008 Democratic primary in a startling upset, defeating Sen. Barack Obama and resurrecting her bid for the White House; Sen. John McCain defeated his Republican rivals to move back into contention for the GOP nomination.

In 2011, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot and critically wounded when a gunman opened fire as the congresswoman met with constituents in Tucson; six people were killed, 12 others also injured. (Gunman Jared Lee Loughner (LAWF’-nur) was sentenced in November 2012 to seven consecutive life sentences, plus 140 years.)

Ten years ago: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (OO’-mahr fah-ROOK’ ahb-DOOL’-moo-TAH’-lahb), accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas, appeared in federal court in Detroit; the judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. (Abdulmutallab eventually pleaded guilty and is serving a life prison term.) Vice President Joe Biden’s mother, Jean Biden, died in Wilmington, Delaware, at age 92.

Five years ago: Three dissidents were abruptly released in what a leading human rights advocate said was part of Cuba’s deal with Washington to release 53 members of the island’s political opposition. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., a tenacious liberal whose election to the Senate in 1992 heralded a new era for women at the upper reaches of political power, announced she would not seek re-election. During a daylong meeting at the Denver airport, U.S. Olympic Committee board members chose Boston over Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Gospel singer Andrae Crouch, 72, died in Los Angeles.

One year ago: In a somber televised address, President Donald Trump urged congressional Democrats to fund his border wall and end the stalemate that had shut down much of the government for 18 days; the speech offered little in the way of concessions. Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York City would spend up to $100 million per year to expand health care coverage to people without health insurance, including immigrants in the country illegally.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor-comedian Larry Storch is 97. CBS newsman Charles Osgood is 87. Singer Shirley Bassey is 83. Game show host Bob Eubanks is 82. Country-gospel singer Cristy Lane is 80. Rhythm-and-blues singer Anthony Gourdine (Little Anthony and the Imperials) is 79. Actress Yvette Mimieux is 78. Singer Juanita Cowart Motley (The Marvelettes) is 76. Actress Kathleen Noone is 75. Rock musician Robby Krieger (The Doors) is 74. Movie director John McTiernan is 69. Actress Harriet Sansom Harris is 65. Actor Ron Cephas Jones is 63. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is 62. Singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith is 56. Actress Michelle Forbes is 55. Actress Maria Pitillo (pih-TIHL’-loh) is 54. Singer R. Kelly is 53. Rock musician Jeff Abercrombie (Fuel) is 51. Actress Ami Dolenz is 51. Reggae singer Sean Paul is 47. Actor Donnell Turner is 47. Country singer Tift Merritt is 45. Actress-rock singer Jenny Lewis is 44. Actress Amber Benson is 43. Actor Scott Whyte is 42. Singer-songwriter Erin McCarley is 41. Actress Sarah Polley is 41. Actress Rachel Nichols is 40. Actress Gaby Hoffman is 38. Rock musician Disashi Lumumbo-Kasongo (dih-SAH’-shee LUHM’-uhm-boh kuh-SAHN’-goh) (Gym Class Heroes) is 37. Actress Cynthia Erivo is 33. Actor Freddie Stroma is 33.

Thought for Today: “Anxiety never yet successfully bridged over any chasm.” — Giovanni Ruffini, Italian writer (1807-1881).

The Associated Press.

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The Mississippi House of Representatives has elected Jason White as the speaker pro tempore. White, an Attala County native, serves Attala, Carroll, Holmes and Leake County as District 48 Representative. He’s held that position since 2012. He also serves as Kosciusko City Attorney. Additionally, the House elected Republican Philip Gunn to a third term as speaker and the... Read More.

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Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft stopped by the Breezy 101 studio Wednesday morning for first Minute with the Mayor of 2020.

This week, Cockroft addresses the ongoing issues with the sewage lagoon and announces the date of a special election.

Minute with the Mayor airs on Breezy 101 during “Good Morning Kosciusko” the day following each meeting of the Kosciusko Board of Aldermen.

The segment is also available at Breezynews.com and the Boswell Media YouTube channel Wednesdays following “Good Morning Kosciusko.”

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At 6:43 am Kosciusko Police, MedStat EMS along with City Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a report of a two vehicle MVA at East Jefferson and South East Street. No injuries were reported.

At 7:26 am Attala Deputies, MedStat EMS along with Attala Fire and Rescue responded to a a report of a two vehicle MVA at Attala Road 5216 and Attala Road 5207. Units arrived on scene and notified responding units that there was at least one injury complaining of shoulder pain. Three people were transported to Baptist-Attala by POV (Private Owned Vehicle). The extent of their injures is not known at this time.

At 7:32 am Attala Deputies, Zama and Providence Volunteers along with Attala Fire responded to a report of a vehicle fire on highway 19 south and Attala Road 5015. A second call came in advising it was no fire but a radiator hose that was busted.

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Today is Thursday, Jan. 9, the ninth day of 2020. There are 357 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Jan. 9, 1945, during World War II, American forces began landing on the shores of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines as the Battle of Luzon got underway, resulting in an Allied victory over Imperial Japanese forces.

On this date:

In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1861, Mississippi became the second state to secede from the Union, the same day the Star of the West, a merchant vessel bringing reinforcements and supplies to Federal troops at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, retreated because of artillery fire.

In 1913, Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was born in Yorba Linda, California.

In 1916, the World War I Battle of Gallipoli ended after eight months with an Ottoman Empire victory as Allied forces withdrew.

In 1951, the United Nations headquarters in New York officially opened.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his State of the Union address to Congress, warned of the threat of Communist imperialism.

In 1959, the Western series “Rawhide” premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1987, the White House released a January 1986 memorandum prepared for President Ronald Reagan by Lt. Col. Oliver L. North showing a link between U.S. arms sales to Iran and the release of American hostages in Lebanon.

In 1997, a Comair commuter plane crashed 18 miles short of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing all 29 people on board.

In 2001, Linda Chavez withdrew her bid to be President-elect George W. Bush’s Secretary of Labor because of controversy over an immigrant in the U.S. illegally who’d once lived with her.

In 2006, confirmation hearings opened in Washington for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. “The Phantom of the Opera” leapt past “Cats” to become the longest-running show in Broadway history (a record that still stands).

In 2009, the Illinois House voted 114-1 to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY’-uh-vich), who defiantly insisted again that he had committed no crime. (The Illinois Senate unanimously voted to remove Blagojevich from office 20 days later.)

Ten years ago: In a video broadcast posthumously, the Jordanian doctor who’d killed seven CIA employees in a suicide attack in Afghanistan on Dec. 30, 2009, called on all jihadists to attack U.S. targets to avenge the death of Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud (BEH’-tuh-luh mah-SOOD’). Peyton Manning became the first player to win The Associated Press’ NFL Most Valuable Player award four times.

Five years ago: French security forces shot and killed two al-Qaida-linked brothers suspected of carrying the rampage at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that had claimed 12 lives, the same day a gunman killed four people at a Paris kosher grocery store before being killed by police. Samuel Goldwyn Jr., 88, a champion of the independent film movement and son of one of the founders of Hollywood, died in Los Angeles.

One year ago: President Donald Trump walked out of his negotiating meeting with congressional leaders as efforts to end the 19-day partial government shutdown fell into deeper disarray over his demand for billions of dollars to build a border wall. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, announced that they were divorcing, ending a 25-year marriage.

Today’s Birthdays: Actress K. Callan is 84. Folk singer Joan Baez is 79. Rockabilly singer Roy Head is 79. Rock musician Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) is 76. Actor John Doman is 75. Singer David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) is 70. Singer Crystal Gayle is 69. Actor J.K. Simmons is 65. Actress Imelda Staunton is 64. Nobel Peace laureate Rigoberta Menchu is 61. Rock musician Eric Erlandson is 57. Actress Joely Richardson is 55. Rock musician Carl Bell (Fuel) is 53. Actor David Costabile is 53. Rock singer Steve Harwell (Smash Mouth) is 53. Rock singer-musician Dave Matthews is 53. Actress-director Joey Lauren Adams is 52. Comedian/actor Deon Cole is 49. Actress Angela Bettis is 47. Actor Omari Hardwick is 46. Roots singer-songwriter Hayes Carll is 44. Singer A.J. McLean (Backstreet Boys) is 42. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is 38. Pop-rock musician Drew Brown (OneRepublic) is 36. Rock-soul singer Paolo Nutini is 33. Actress Nina Dobrev is 31. Actor Basil Eidenbenz is 27. Actress Kerris Dorsey is 22. Actor Tyree Brown is 16.

Thought for Today: “Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.” — Swedish proverb.

The Associated Press.

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Mississippi HomeCare of Kosciusko recently received top-tier rankings from two national third-party evaluators of home health agency quality, patient satisfaction, and overall performance – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System and the 2019 HomeCare Elite.

The CMS Star Ratings recognized Mississippi HomeCare of Kosciusko with a 5-star rating in both quality and patient satisfaction. According to the data, the Kosciusko home health provider achieved the highest rating possible in both categories.

Mississippi HomeCare of Kosciusko was also named a top agency of the 2019 HomeCare Elite, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States.

Mississippi HomeCare of Kosciusko, a local provider of home health services, is part of LHC Group, a national provider of in-home healthcare services operating in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

“These are two of the in-home healthcare industry’s most respected and meaningful indicators of excellence, and we congratulate our team members at Mississippi HomeCare of Kosciusko for this remarkable achievement,” said Keith G. Myers, LHC Group’s chairman and CEO. “Every day they deliver high-quality, compassionate, and efficient care to patients and families in their community. Their unwavering dedication to service is the reason LHC Group continues to lead our industry as the in-home care provider of choice for patients and our hospital partners around the nation.”

The CMS Star Ratings – issued quarterly – are highly sought after by home health providers and seen as a key differentiator and indicator of overall quality and excellence in the home health industry. The system ranks providers in two categories: “Quality of Patient Care” and “Patient Satisfaction.”

The star rating system was instituted by CMS as part of its Home Health Compare website to provide a “tool for consumers to use when choosing a home health care provider.” The system ranks providers in two categories: “Quality of Patient Care” and “Patient Satisfaction.”

For 14 years, HomeCare Elite has annually identified the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlighted the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. The ranking is developed by ABILITY^® Network, a leading information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare. It is sponsored by DecisionHealth, part of the H3.Group.

HomeCare Elite agencies are determined by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, best practices implementation, patient experience (HHCAHPS), quality improvement and consistency, and financial health. In order to be considered, an agency must be Medicare-certified and have data for at least three outcomes in Home Health Compare. Out of 8,818 agencies considered, 2,207 are recognized on the 2019 HomeCare Elite winners list overall.

The entire list of 2019 HomeCare Elite agencies can be downloaded by visiting the ABILITY Network website at abilitynetwork.com/homecare-elite. To access more detailed information on the latest CMS Star Ratings, visit Data.Medicare.gov.

About LHC Group, Inc.

LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of in-home healthcare services and innovations, providing quality, value-based healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their home or place of residence. LHC Group’s services cover a wide range of healthcare needs for patients and families dealing with illness, injury, or chronic conditions. The company’s 32,000 employees deliver home health, hospice, home and community based services, and facility-based care in 35 states and the District of Columbia – reaching 60 percent of the U.S. population aged 65 and older. LHC Group is the preferred in-home healthcare partner for 350 leading hospitals around the country. In 2019, the company was named to the inaugural Forbes list of “America’s Best-in-State Employers.”

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The city has set the date for a special election to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat on the Kosciusko Board of Aldermen.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the board chose Tuesday, Feb. 18 as the day for the election.

Former Ward 1 Aldermen Taylor Casey vacated the position during the last meeting of 2019 after being elected Attala County Chancery Clerk.

All voting for the election will take place at the Attala County Coliseum.

To qualify for the vacant position, an individual must be a registered voter in the city and obtain 50 signatures in a petition that can be picked up at City Hall.

Audio: Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft

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STARKVILLE – Mike Leach, a two-time national coach of the year, three-time conference coach of the year and the mastermind behind the NCAA record-setting “Air Raid” offense, has been tabbed as Mississippi State’s 34^th head football coach, Director of Athletics John Cohen announced Thursday.

“Mike Leach is a proven winner who has established a culture of excellence for nearly two decades as a head coach,” Cohen said. “An offensive genius and two-time national coach of the year, he has a track record of building programs to national prominence with accountability and a blue-collar approach. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to the Mississippi State family and look forward to watching our football program grow under his leadership.”

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be the head football coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs,” Leach said. “I loved Washington State, but I am excited for the next chapter in the SEC. It’s a privilege to be a part of the MSU family, and we look forward to getting down to Starkville shortly.”

Leach will be formally introduced at a noon CT Friday press conference at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex. It will be open to the public, and it will be carried live on SEC Network, SEC Network+ via the ESPN app, @HailStateFB Twitter and Facebook.

“I want to commend Athletics Director John Cohen and his staff for conducting a very thorough and true national search,” MSU President Mark Keenum, said. “In Coach Mike Leach, that search produced a charismatic leader who has proven he can both win football games at a high level and motivate teams to play up to their potential. I’m excited about the future of our football program.”

The accomplishments for Leach in his 18 years as a head coach are long and distinguished. He has compiled a 139-90 (.607) record, guided his squads to 16 bowl games, produced seven seasons of at least nine victories, captured two division titles, became the winningest coach in Texas Tech history and set school records for bowl appearances at both Texas Tech (10) and Washington State (6). During 10 of those 18 seasons, Leach’s passing attack led the FBS – six at Texas Tech and four at Washington State.

Of the 50 most productive passing yardage seasons in FBS history, 11 came from quarterbacks coached by Leach since his hiring as head coach at Texas Tech beginning with the 2000 season. That includes three seasons by Graham Harrell (2006-08), two by Luke Falk (2015-16), one by Gardner Mishew II (2018) and one by Anthony Gordon (2019).

Leach, 58, arrives in Starkville after eight seasons at the helm at Washington State where he compiled a 55-47 (.539) record and was named the 2018 American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year and two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2015, 2018). Leach spearheaded WSU to a school-record six bowl appearances and became the first coach in school history to lead the Cougars to five consecutive bowl games. They also led the nation in passing offense in four out of his last six seasons in charge.

In 2019, a young Cougars squad reached the Cheez-It Bowl while leading the nation in passing offense (437.2). A total of eight WSU players earned All-Pac-12 honors.

The 2018 campaign saw Leach produce one of the finest coaching performances as WSU posted its first 11-win season in school history and a share of the Pac-12 North Division. The Cougars were ranked in the top 13 of each College Football Playoff rankings, including four consecutive weeks at No. 8. WSU capped the season with a win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl and finished No. 10 in the Associated Press and Coaches polls. Senior quarterback and Mississippi native Minshew captivated the nation, leading the FBS in passing yards per game (367.6).

In the spring of 2019, Leach taught a five-week course at WSU on Insurgent Warfare and Football Strategies, along with former Washington State Senator Michael Baumgartner. That same spring, three Cougars were selected in the 2019 NFL Draft as left tackle Andre Dillard went in the first round to the Eagles, safety Jalen Thompson went in the fifth round to Cardinals and Minshew went in the sixth round to the Jaguars.

In 2017, Leach guided WSU to a 9-4 record, 6-3 in conference play, and a second straight Holiday Bowl appearance. The Cougars opened the season with six consecutive victories and posted wins over No. 5 USC and No. 18 Stanford. Once again, the Cougar offense ranked among the national leaders in passing offense (second) while the defense ranked in the national top 25 in seven categories, including four in the top 10. Senior offensive lineman Cody O’Connell repeated as a first-team All-American while junior Hercules Mata’afa also earned first-team All-America honors.

In 2016, the Cougars posted an 8-5 mark, including a 7-2 record in Pac-12 play, along with an appearance in the Holiday Bowl. Leach guided a WSU offense that led the Pac-12 and finished third nationally in passing (362.5 ypg), and also led the Pac-12 in completion percentage, second nationally, at .703 percent. WSU won eight straight games midway through the season, the most since the 1930 campaign. WSU had 10 players earn All-Pac-12 honors, five were named to the Pac-12 All-Academic teams, and redshirt junior offensive lineman Cody O’Connell was a unanimous All-American and finalist for the Outland Trophy.

The Cougars ended the 2015 season with a 9-4 record, 6-3 in the Pac-12 Conference, capped by a 20-14 Sun Bowl victory over Miami. After starting the season 2-2, the Cougars went 7-2 over the final nine games, posting last-minute victories at Oregon and No. 18 UCLA, and rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit in a 38-24 victory against Arizona State. For the second-straight season WSU led the nation in passing at 389.5 ypg, while also finishing second in the nation in red zone offense, converting 94.5 percent of their opportunities. WSU concluded the regular season by having 11 student-athletes named to All-Pac-12 teams and five to Pac-12 All-Academic teams. Senior offensive lineman Joe Dahl earned Second-Team All-America honors while defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa garnered First-Team Freshman All-American honors by USA Today.

In 2014, Leach’s offense led the nation in passing at 477.7 yards per game, the second-highest total in FBS history, trailing only Houston’s 511.3 in 1989. WSU set or tied 42 school, conference or NCAA records during the season, including quarterback Connor Halliday who threw for an NCAA single-game record 734 yards against California. WSU also placed five student-athletes on Pac-12 All-Academic teams and five on All-Pac-12 teams during the season.

In 2013, Leach’s second season at the helm of the Cougars, he guided WSU to the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the first bowl game for the Cougars in a decade. The Cougar offense threw for more than 400 yards five times, including a 2013 NCAA FBS–best 557 yards at Oregon. Quarterback Connor Halliday set WSU single-season records for passing yards (4,587), attempts (714) and completions (449), the first WSU quarterback to surpass the 4,000-yard mark. The Cougars picked up more national recognition as safety Deone Bucannon became WSU’s first All-America first-team selection since 2005 and was later selected as the No. 27 overall pick in NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, the first Cougar taken in the first round since 2003. The Cougars also placed eight student-athletes on Pac-12 All-Academic teams during the season.

Leach previously spent 10 seasons as head coach at Texas Tech (2000-09) where his squads produced bowl appearances all 10 years. He compiled a school-record 84 victories, a school-record five bowl wins and eight consecutive seasons of at least eight victories.

The architect of the most prolific passing offense in the country, Leach received three national coach of the year awards in 2008 – the Woody Hayes Award, Howie Long/Fieldturf Coach of the Year and George Munger Award. Leach’s offense captured six NCAA passing titles and three total offense titles during his 10 seasons in Lubbock.

Leach led Texas Tech to one of the most memorable seasons in school history in 2008 as the team set a program record with 11 regular-season wins en route to an 11-2 record. The win total tied the mark, set previously by the 1953 and 1973 Red Raider squads. Numerous accolades poured in from across the country as an unprecedented four players earned first-team All-America status, in addition to Leach’s three coach of the year honors. Harrell, offensive tackle Rylan Reed and offensive guard Brandon Carter each garnered first-team honors, while wide receiver Michael Crabtree was honored as a unanimous All-American for the second-straight season.

Harrell finished his storied career second on the NCAA career passing yardage list with 15,793 yards, while breaking the career NCAA passing touchdowns mark with 134. Harrell threw for 4,555 yards in his debut as the starter in 2006 and became the sixth player and third Red Raider in NCAA history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season with his 5,705-yard effort in 2007 and 5,111 yards in 2008.

The running game also flourished under Leach at Texas Tech. Taurean Henderson broke the NCAA career record for receptions by a running back. The Red Raiders’ 28 total rushing scores in 2008 were the most for a Tech team since the 1993 team scored 30. Despite Tech’s offense revolving around the pass, Leach did a tremendous job of incorporating the running back position into the mix. Henderson finished his career with 303 receptions, which at the time ranked first in NCAA history among running backs and fourth overall.

A total of 18 players were drafted at Texas Tech under Leach’s watch and 21 others signed free agent contracts. In the spring of 2009, four players were selected among the first four rounds of the NFL Draft, marking the most successful draft for Texas Tech in the Leach era.

The program made strides academically as well under Leach. During his 10 years, Texas Tech was recognized as one of the nation’s top institutions for consistently being above a 70 percent graduation rate, according to the AFCA.

Prior to coming on board at Texas Tech, Leach, in just one season at Oklahoma, directed a Sooner offense that went from one of the worst in the Big 12 Conference to one of the best in 1999. Leach guided an Oklahoma offense that went from 11th in the Big 12 in 1998 to first in 1999 and 101st in the nation to 11th. In just one year, OU’s total offense numbers improved from 293.3 to 427.2 yards per game. Under Leach, the Oklahoma offense set six Big 12 Conference and 17 school records.

Prior to joining Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma staff, Leach served as offensive coordinator for Hal Mumme at the University of Kentucky and Valdosta (Ga.) State University. Under Mumme and Leach, the Kentucky offense set six NCAA records, 41 Southeastern Conference records and 116 school records in 22 games.

Named 1996 Division II Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Quarterly magazine, Leach helped Mumme lead Valdosta State to a 40-17-1 record. The 1993 Blazer offense smashed 66 school records, 22 conference records and seven national records. In 1994, Valdosta State advanced to the Division II playoffs with Leach’s offense shattering 80 school records, 35 conference records and seven more national marks.

Leach and Mumme first teamed up at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1989. From 1989 to 1991 Leach served as offensive coordinator and line coach for an offense that led the NAIA in passing yardage one season and finished second the other two. Iowa Wesleyan quarterbacks passed for more than 11,000 yards in Leach’s three seasons and broke 26 national records.

Leach also has made coaching stops in Pori, Finland, where he served as a head coach in the European Football League (1989), as well as one-year stints at College of the Desert (1988) and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (1987).

After graduating with honors from BYU in 1983, Leach earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Sports Academy and his law degree from Pepperdine University, where he graduated in the top one-third of his class.

The oldest of six siblings, Leach and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of four children; Janeen, Kim, Cody and Kiersten, along with three grandchildren. Born in Susanville, California, Leach was raised in Cody, Wyoming.

THE MIKE LEACH FILE
Hometown: Cody, Wyoming
Education: BYU, 1983 (Bachelor’s); Pepperdine, 1986 (Juris Doctor); U.S. Sports Academy, 1988 (Master’s)
Wife: Sharon
Children: Janeen, Kim, Cody and Kiersten
Birthday: March 9, 1961

COACHING CAREER

2020-present: Mississippi State (Head Coach)

2012-19: Washington State (Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)

2000-09: Texas Tech (Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)

1999: Oklahoma (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)

1997-98: Kentucky (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)

1994-96: Valdosta State (Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Quarterbacks

1992-93: Valdosta State (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)

1989-91: Iowa Wesleyan (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)

1989: Pori, Finland – European League (Head Coach)

1988: College of the Desert [Calif.] (Linebackers)

1987: Cal Poly (Offensive Line)

BOWL GAMES AS A HEAD COACH

2019: Cheez-It Bowl (Washington State)

2018: Alamo Bowl (Washington State)

2017: Holiday Bowl (Washington State)

2016: Holiday Bowl (Washington State)

2015: Sun Bowl (Washington State)

2013: New Mexico Bowl (Washington State)

2009: Alamo Bowl* (Texas Tech)

2008: Cotton Bowl (Texas Tech)

2007: Gator Bowl (Texas Tech)

2006: Insight Bowl (Texas Tech)

2005: Cotton Bowl (Texas Tech)

2004: Holiday Bowl (Texas Tech)

2003: Houston Bowl (Texas Tech)

2002: Tangerine Bowl (Texas Tech)

2001: Alamo Bowl (Texas Tech)

2000: GalleryFurniture.com Bowl (Texas Tech)

* – denotes did not coach in game

YEAR-BY-YEAR HEAD COACHING RECORD

Year    School                          Overall   Conf.    Notable

2000     Texas Tech                  7-6            3-5

2001     Texas Tech                  7-5           4-4         Two ranked wins

2002     Texas Tech                  9-5           5-3         Beat No. 4 Texas; Tangerine Bowl Champions

2003     Texas Tech                  8-5           4-4         Houston Bowl Champions

2004     Texas Tech                  8-4           5-3         No. 18 in AP/No. 17 in Coaches; Holiday Bowl Champions

2005     Texas Tech                  9-3           6-2         No. 20 in AP/No. 19 in Coaches

2006     Texas Tech                  8-5           4-4         Insight Bowl Champions

2007     Texas Tech                  9-4           4-4         Beat No. 3 Oklahoma; No. 22 in AP/No. 23 in Coaches

2008     Texas Tech                  11-2         7-1          No. 7 in BCS; Two top-10 wins including No. 1 Texas

2009     Texas Tech                  8-4           5-3          Beat No. 15 Nebraska

2012     Washington State    3-9            1-8          Beat No. 25 Washington

2013     Washington State     6-7            4-5         Beat No. 25 USC

2014     Washington State     3-9            2-7

2015     Washington State     9-4           6-3         Sun Bowl Champions

2016     Washington State     8-5            7-2         Beat No. 15 Stanford

2017     Washington State     9-4            6-3         Beat No. 5 USC and No. 18 Stanford

2018     Washington State    11-2         7-2          AFCA Coach of the Year; Pac-12 North Co-Champions

2019     Washington State    6-7            3-6          Fifth straight bowl appearance at WSU

TOTAL (18 seasons)           139-90   83-69           

TTU Record (10 seasons)   84-43       47-33

WSU Record (8 seasons)     55-47       36-36

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