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  3. Highlights from Mike Leach's Reddit appearance

Highlights from Mike Leach’s Reddit appearance

Mike Leach recently wrapped up a chat with fans, commonly known as an "Ask Me Anything" or "AMA" on Reddit.com. Here is the transcript if you'd like to read through it. Missed it or didn't get your question asked? Don't worry, it looks like you'll have another chance soon.

We've got a few highlights from the session, after the jump.

... 

danimal2011 

Coach, there has always been a lot of talk about how hard it is to recruit to the Palouse, but you and your staff have been killing it so far this spring. What do you sell these young men on to come to Pullman?

[–]MikeLeachAMA

It is very simple: we are a true college town in a true college setting. This is something that we nearly have a monopoly on in the Pac 12.

We have just built the best Football Operations Building in the Pac 12 and we have quick, direct flights to many of the locations we recruit to. We are in a gorgeous setting with no freeways, in a place where a student-athlete can focus on his degree and football. This is led by our President, Elson S. Floyd who is celebrating his 7th anniversary as our College President, and our Athletic Director, Bill Moos who played here. Both of which talk to our recruits when they visit campus. 

 

hythloday1 

The team is down by 15 with four minutes left when it punches in the ball on the outside zone read that hasn't worked all day but finally beats the WILL who's starting to dog it late in the game. Geronimo is the head coach. Does he go for 2 now, or kick the PAT and wait for the second opportunity?

 

[–]MikeLeachAMA

Geronimo's speed and tenacity in adverse conditions is going to allow him and his band of Chiricahua Apaches to score swiftly with that much time left. Illustrated in my book, "Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior," they prepared for situations like this and were raised to respond to them starting as children. They would never flinch in a situation like this. Going for 1 or 2 would be based on their evaluation of the opponent, the terrain, and the resources they had to work with.

 

OctoberOwl 

Hello Mike, and thanks for doing this AMA! Go Cougs! Here's a pic I took of you after the 'Cougs beat UW in Pullman at Apple Cup 2012. This one you're hoisting it with your players.

Anyways, what are you looking forward to from your team this season and which player(s) do we the fans need to keep an eye out for?

 

[–]MikeLeachAMA

Great picture! I think we need to steadily improve and that's what makes it exciting. New players will surface that we don't even anticipate. Two of the most dynamic positions with the most new faces will be the secondary and the offensive line.

 

Istanbulbasaur

Hi coach Leach! First off thanks for doing this and for helping turn things around at my alma mater! Go Cougs!

My question: What characteristic of Geronimo's do you most look up to and how has he influenced your coaching?

edit: a word

 

[–]MikeLeachAMA

I have read about and studied Geronimo for a long time since I was a child. In writing the book with Buddy Levy, and articulating a lot of these things, I discovered that I have been sharing a lot of these philosophies and stories with my teams for years. Among many others, Geronimo's life story illustrates that a lot of impossible things are possible, everybody can work harder than they think they can, everybody is tougher than they think they are, but it is starts with the proper preparation, attitude, and philosophy. One of the most exciting parts of writing the book was the opportunity to discover a lot of interesting specifics on what made the Apaches what they were.

 

jwil191 

For starters I am a big fan and CJK5H

I know you are big history buff, if you had to fill your coaching staff with historical figures who would you choose? For the sake of discussion you can't pick a sports figure.

 

[–]MikeLeachAMA

Head Coach: George Washington Offensive Coordinator: Geronimo Offensive Assistant: Tarzan Defensive Coordinator: Winston Churchill Defensive Assistant: Daniel Boone

 

Jacob Thorpe
By Jacob Thorpe

Jacob Thorpe is a freelance sports columnist covering Washington State football.

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