Washington State Football: 5 takeaways from 2017 regular season

1. Mike Leach is at peak Leach in 2017

Mike Leach has been at peak Leach in 2017. He’s had a resurgence on Twitter and his campaign against the state of Texas owing him money went viral, especially among pundits and football coaches. Leach has offered pre-wedding advice to a young reporter, shown us how to throw a shovel pass and been his usual gruff-but-quirky self.

Some people love it, some people hate it, but either way it’s just Mike Leach. This type of extreme behavior turns some athletic departments off. Can you really see Leach taking over for say a retired Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa? It would be culture shock for the Crimson Tide faithful who are used to stoic one-line responses to the media’s vapid questions.

Leach really entered peak Leach by sitting Luke Falk during games where he struggled. The former walk-on is Washington State’s most prolific passer, he holds all the records. Yet Leach sat him when he was off of his game for the less-talented Tyler Hilinski who would look embarrassingly bad at times in games. His interviews for job openings seem to be woeful and have kept him from positions like Maryland and possibly even Tennessee this offseason.

While some programs can’t see themselves with the quirks of Leach, others thrive in the opportunity. The second-tier programs should be desperate for someone with character like Leach. He draws attention to Washington State when the juggernaut Washington is in the big city of Seattle. He drew attention with Michael Crabtree to Lubbock in the face of beating Texas located in the hippest southern city: Austin, Texas.

Next: Predicting all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff

Coaches, fans, and even some media members have learned to embrace the honesty that is Mike Leach. I, for one, can’t wait to see what 2018 holds for Leach.