Five months of scandal, greed, and infighting have left college football in a state of disarray.
From Nick Saban testifying before Congress about the sport's inequities to the NCAA fighting in court over a quarterback's gambling addiction, the headlines have been dominated by controversy.
Conference realignment threatens to fracture the sport, while tampering and the transfer portal spiral out of control. Even coaches are now restricted from leaving before season's end.
Yet amid the chaos, a bright spot emerges: Mike Leach, the late architect of the Air Raid offense, is on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.
Leach's Legacy: More Than Wins and Losses
The Hall of Fame adjusted its qualification criteria last year, allowing Leach's . 597 winning percentage to be considered.
His 158-107 record at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State — three of the toughest jobs in Power Five football — might not meet traditional standards, but his impact transcends numbers.
Leach transformed offensive football at all levels.
His disciples now coach across the NFL and college ranks, spreading the Air Raid principles that revolutionized the game.
He won 11 games at Texas Tech and 11 at Washington State — feats unmatched at those programs. At Mississippi State, he kept the Bulldogs competitive in the SEC.
Since his passing in 2022, none of those schools have sustained the same level of success.
Leach also advocated for a merit-based pay system for players, warning against upfront payments.
"If you back end that deal, and have most of that money waiting for him at the end of every season based on performance, you've got a better chance of it not going off the rails," he said in 2022.
His foresight seems prescient as the sport grapples with financial and ethical crises.
A No-Brainer for the Hall
The Hall of Fame selection process begins with a preliminary ballot from National Football Foundation members and living Hall of Famers, then moves to the Honor's Court for a final decision.
Critics may point to Leach's . 597 winning percentage, but his transformative impact on football makes him a lock.
He elevated every program he coached and changed the game for the better.
When the 2027 Hall of Fame class is announced during College Football Playoff preparation, Leach's enshrinement should be a certainty.
It's a reward for doing the work no one else would, and a reminder of what makes the sport great.
