Kim Mulkey on Mike Leach's unexpected death: 'Sad day for college football'

Coaching circles have always run small, regardless of what sport someone is in.

Kim Mulkey and Mike Leach both arrived in the Big 12 Conference as coaches in 2000 at Baylor and Texas Tech, respectively. Soon after, the two would always see each other at the league's spring meetings.

"I'd always see Mike and his wife Sharon out by the pool and I'd go over there, not long, but would just shake hands, say 'Hey, how's it going?'" Mulkey remembered during a team press conference Tuesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Both coaches had since made their way to the Southeastern Conference, with Leach coaching football at Mississippi State and Mulkey coaching women's basketball at LSU.

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Leach, surrounded by Sharon and their family, died Monday night following complications due to a heart condition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He was 61.

"What a sad day for college football. Sad day for his family. Life is fragile, guys," Mulkey said. "Life just changes in an instant. The man was just coaching a Saturday ago and now we don't have him anymore. That's how quickly your life can change."

Coaching in the same conference wasn't the only connection between Mulkey and Leach. Mulkey's daughter, Makenzie, married former Baylor football player Clay Fuller, whose brothers Lance and Cody both played football at Texas Tech for Leach.

"They love Leach and all of their Tech football coaches," Mulkey said.

Mississippi State officially announced Leach's passing Tuesday morning. Those who have extended their condolences to Leach's family have all mentioned his impact on the sport. Mulkey echoed that notion, and along with his infamous press conference quips, saying it'll be what she remembers most about Leach.

"He had some one-liners, didn't he? Sometimes, he was so smart he lost you. 'What did he just say?' He was so smart," Mulkey said.

"You look back at his career and to me, you judge a coach in any sport based on the talent they are and are they competing? Did he ever have the most talent in the country, probably not. But he could always compete, beat you, upset somebody. He was innovative, all the things he did offensively. From what I could tell from watching, he didn't need an offensive coordinator. It looked like he was doing it himself. Those are things I will remember about him."

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kim Mulkey on Mike Leach's death: 'Sad day for college football'