Washington State’s Mike Leach on the great candy corn debate: ‘I think it’s just awful’

PULLMAN – There’s a reason that seasonal treats are only seasonal, Mike Leach believes, and when it comes to candy corn, the Washington State coach thinks the popular Halloween confection belongs in the same category as mint juleps and fruitcake.

Leading up to this particular Oct. 31, candy corn has been both a topic of discussion and debate, dividing those who consume the small orange and yellow morsels and those who stay away from it at all costs.

Leach belongs to the latter group and shared his take on candy corn after the Cougars’ practice at Rogers Field on Tuesday.

“Oh I’ve never liked candy corn, I think it’s just awful — I think candy corn’s awful. You know, it’s like fruitcake,” Leach said. “There’s a reason they only serve fruitcake once a year, because it’s awful. There’s a reason they only serve mint julep’s once a year, because they’re awful. And there’s a reason they only serve candy corn once a year, because it’s awful. Now, that does beg the question, ‘why they serve it at all?’ But anyway, that’s my opinion.”

Leach’s last encounter with candy corn?

“Oh, sometime when I was a kid. And you eat it by the handfuls, because that’s all that’s left, and you get sick.”