From the podium at SEC Media Days, coaches usually offer a look inside their program as the season approaches. I say 'usually' because whenever Mike Leach is in front of a microphone, you never know what direction he may go.
Mississippi State’s head coach took his turn on stage at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta Tuesday, and after his opening statement was all of five words, it didn’t take long for the conversation to shift from the gridiron to his streaming preferences.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey introduced Leach as a man with “outstanding Netflix recommendations,” leading one reporter to ask the air-raid specialist to share those with the audience.
While he said he hasn’t had much time to watch lately, Leach recommended Operation Odessa—which is actually streaming on Amazon Prime—as a “hidden gem” and says he hasn’t gotten around to watching The Terminal List yet.
Up to date on Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul and Yellowstone, Leach is still working his way through Stranger Things, saying that Netflix is a good way to clear his head during the season. He then asked for recommendations with one reporter suggesting Severance—a show the reporter described as being about mind control.
“Don't try any funny stuff,” Leach responded.
After he did get to talk about his Bulldogs for a bit, Leach did give his reasoning for his lack of an opening statement in a way that only he can.
“Opening statements? Well, I hate opening statements. I really don't see the point of it. So as opposed to me [sitting] there and [thinking] of some flowery opening statement, which I've done before, and then at the end of the opening statement a number of people ask questions that have already been addressed in my opening statement, I decided we'd just sort of cut out the middleman. You go ahead and ask the questions, and I'll go ahead and answer ‘em,” Leach said.
Leach enters his third season in Starkville coming off a 7-6 2021 season with Will Rodgers returning to lead the offense.