Boats, bikes and barstools: How Key West became memorable part of Mike Leach's life

STARKVILLE — Mike Leach will be honored in Tampa, Florida, when Mississippi State football kicks off the ReliaQuest Bowl, but the celebration of his life on Jan. 2 will extend seven hours south of Raymond James Stadium.

Leach was beloved in Key West, Florida, so much so that he has a barstool dedicated to him at Capt Tony’s Saloon –an honor not taken lightly. He’s on a short list including fellow football coach Urban Meyer and NASCAR drive Dale Earnhardt Jr. with a designated seat at the bar.

Friends will gather at Capt Tony’s during the game not only to watch MSU against Illinois but for an opportunity to stand in front of a microphone and share tales about Leach – one of the most intriguing figures in college football who died on Dec. 12 after complications from a heart condition.

Leach was in his element when in the Florida Keys. It’s where he traded the headset for snorkels, replaced receiver routes with bike rides and put his celebrity status aside for a vacation spot that turned into a home.

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It’s a destination he and former his assistants – ranging from Lincoln Riley to Kliff Kingsbury – frequented around Memorial Day weekend when spring practice was over and recruiting was on pause. It’s where he wore Hawaiian shirts, if wearing a shirt at all, with shorts and sandals. It’s a community he seamlessly fit into.

“Everybody loved him,” Joe Clements, Leach’s close friend from Key West, said.

Bait and bikes

Leach’s tendency to walk instead of drive was well-documented during his tenure at Washington State, but in the Florida Keys, bikes were the go-to transportation for Leach and his wife Sharon.

He was often recognized as he made his way through downtown. Fans and friends would stop him to say hello, and it was usually Leach who extended the conversation.

“He could talk to anybody about anything,” Clements said, “but he sure could go off the deep end sometimes on things that were just funny.”

Boats were another favorite form of transportation for Leach who had a passion for snorkeling and searching for treasure – no surprise for “The Pirate.” Leach earned that nickname through his obsession with pirates which was highlighted in his book Swing Your Sword. Fittingly, the Florida Keys were once a hot bed for pirates.

However, pirates weren't the concern when Leach was in the water. Leach and Clements took friends out on the boat once, and the crew jumped into the water to eat fried chicken and toss around a football. As they would finish off a piece of chicken, they’d throw the bones into the water.

The food was so good, it attracted a shark. Everyone shot back to the boat, but Leach and Clements stayed. Instead of causing a scene, they waited until the shark would circle to the other side of the boat. Then, they’d take a couple steps toward the boat. The cycle continued until they made it back safely.

Leach's friends stem far and wide

Leach’s contact list would be a dream for those with an eye for celebrities. He didn’t flaunt it, but when prompted he had ways to show it off.

Former Texas Tech basketball coach Pat Knight was sitting at a Key West bar with Leach once. Knight used to watch “Surfer, Dude” before each game – a movie featuring Matthew McConaughey. When Leach heard about the superstition, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Leach pulled out his phone, dialed a number and handed it to Knight.

“Alright, alright, alright,” McConaughey said on the other line.

Clements and his ex-wife were once walking with Leach and Sharon to grab lunch. Leach was on the phone when Clements overheard his name brought up.

“Hey, hang on a second,” Leach said on the phone. “I’ve got to have you talk to my buddy here. He’s my best friend, and he’s a Key West legend.”

When Clements took the phone, legendary Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer was on the other end. Clements claimed to not get star-struck, but in that moment he admits he did.

Meeting his best friend

Clements used to be a computer programmer for a local school district in which he also helped with promotions. As part of his job he looked to provide opportunities for kids in the community.

In the 1990s, Clements approached Key West High School football coach Andy Siegal about organizing a youth camp. The plan came together, and Leach, who was coaching at Valdosta State, was one of the coaches who agreed to help.

That’s how Clements and Leach met, and it’s where a special bond began.

“We just hit it off from the beginning,” Clements said.

Leach fell in love with Key West and started to visit frequently. With each trip, Leach would often see Clements. They’d barbeque together, go out on Clements’ boat or hit the bars.

Through this bond, Clements got to know people who turned out to be some of the brightest minds in football. Leach brought his staff at least once a year, but often times the trip featured more than Texas Tech staffers.

Even when surrounded by football minds, Clements got a glimpse into Leach’s passion for life outside the game. He took part in late night debates about pirates and Geronimo, but he also saw a side to Leach that many in the public eye haven’t.

Clements saw Leach as a husband, as a father and as a grandfather. He also saw Leach as a friend.

Leach was a fan of Dr. Seuss. Among the author’s iconic line, Clements remembers not to cry because it’s over, but instead to smile because it happened. It’s a line fitting for the deep conversations Clements and Leach often had.

Clements can’t remember exactly when it was, but years ago he recalls having a prolonged discussion with Leach about life, death and everything in between. Something about the talk struck a cord in Leach.

Leach looked up at Clements during the conversation with tears in his eyes.

“You’re my best friend,” Leach said.

Clements always reciprocated those feelings, but never said it aloud. Leach gave him the comfort to do so, and it’s a conversation Clements appreciates even moreso today.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Key West became part of football coach Mike Leach's life