Tennessee-North Carolina State game to feature Mike Leach ties on both sidelines

Mike Leach became a first time collegiate head coach at Texas Tech in 2000 after successful stints at Oklahoma (1999), Kentucky (1997-98), Valdosta State (1992-96) and Iowa Wesleyan (1989-91) as offensive coordinator.

Leach was hired by the Red Raiders after one season as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

At Oklahoma, Leach recruited JUCO quarterback Josh Heupel to guide the offense to a 7-5 record in 1999, placing the Sooners in position for a national championship run in 2000.

Leach hired Robert Anae as Texas Tech’s offensive line coach. Anae served in the position under Leach from 2000-04.

Since coaching for Leach, Anae became an offensive coordinator at BYU (2005-10, 2013-15), Virginia (2016-21), Syracuse (2022) and North Carolina State (2023-24).

Heupel and Anae will face each other on Saturday during Week 2 of the 2024 college football season. Kickoff between the Vols and Wolfpack is slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT (ABC) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Anae also serves as inside wide receivers and tight ends coach for the Wolfpack.

Heupel is in his fourth season as Tennessee’s head coach.

PHOTOS: Josh Heupel wins 2000 national championship at Oklahoma

Robert Anae at BYU. Photo by George Frey/Getty Images