Eli Drinkwitz wanted to lobby for Mike Leach.
Speaking at the Southeastern Conference media days podium last week in Dallas, Drinkwitz used a portion of his opening statement to advocate for the late coaching legend to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Coach Leach, in my mind, and I believe in most of the people in this room, is a no-doubt Hall of Famer,” Drinkwitz said. “He impacted our game more in the last 50 years than a lot of other people, not only with his legacy but also with his football acumen.”
Leach, one of the sport’s most compelling characters and the genesis of the air raid offense, died in December 2022 from complications of a heart condition at age 61.