Rule change makes Mike Leach Hall of Fame eligible in 2027
05/29/2025
By Rivers Hughey
A long-overdue recognition for Mike Leach is finally on the horizon. The College Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday that it is lowering the minimum win percentage required for coaching eligibility from 60 to 59.5 percent, which is a subtle change with major implications.
Great news for Mike Leach fans: College Football Hall of Fame will lower win percentage in 2027 for coaches from 60 to 59.5 percent, which will make the former Mississippi State/Texas Tech/Washington State coach eligible to join the hall
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) May 29, 2025
Leach, who passed away in December 2022, ended his career with a 158-107 record and a 59.6 percent win rate, previously just shy of the Hall’s former threshold. Now, with the rule tweak, the beloved and unconventional coach becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame’s 2027 class.
Known for revolutionizing the game with his Air Raid offense and shaping a deep coaching tree, Leach left a lasting imprint on college football. He led programs at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, becoming the winningest coach in Red Raiders history and bringing national attention to each program he touched.
The National Football Foundation had previously stood firm on its criteria, but the shift in policy less than a year later signals a clear acknowledgment of Leach’s influence. For fans, peers, and former players, it’s a long-awaited opportunity to honor a truly one-of-a-kind figure in the sport.