Washington State honors late HC Mike Leach as his former teams face off

Washington State and Texas Tech duked it out Saturday night, but before swords clashed on the field, the common factor between the two teams was honored.

The Cougars and Red Raiders wore custom pirate flag decals on their helmets during the game, an homage to their former head coach Mike "The Pirate" Leach, who passed away in 2022.

WSU posted a photo on X prior to the game displaying the decals with the message "Swing your Sword," a common motto of Leach's.

A moment was held at halftime to honor Leach, who was inducted into the Washington State Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday . He was inducted into Texas Tech's hall in 2023 .

Leach was coaching at Mississippi State in 2022 when he suddenly passed away of complications from a heart condition.

The two-time Pac-12 coach of the year started at Texas Tech in 2000, where he became famous for developing the "Air Raid Offense." Leach then left for Washington State in 2012.

In Pullman, Wash., Leach went viral multiple times for his quirky press conferences and wholesome antics with players.

His son, Cody, gave a fitting tribute to his late father at the induction ceremony on Friday.

"My family and I are forever grateful to all of Cougar Nation for loving my dad the way y'all did, and still do," he said. "My dad once said 'Why Washington State? Well, that's a stupid question.' And it still is. Go Cougs."