I was saddened to hear of the death of Mike Leach. My niece was a twirler for the Goin' Band from Raider Land during the Mike Leach years. Her Christmas breaks were consumed by trips to Bowl Games, all four years.
My connection was with the Air Raid offense by Hal Mumme at McMurry from 2009 thru 2012. I especially remember how those 2-8 and 4-6 teams in 2009 and 2010 looked just on the edge of something bigger.
Then in 2011, McMurry was stomped by D-1 FCS Stephen F Austin, 82-6. (I attended that game. D-1 athletes versus D-3) The next week, McMurry defeated UT-San Antonio (D-1 FCS), 24-21, in its debut game before 31,634 fans in the AlamoDome, scoring on a TD pass with 19 seconds left. Jake Mullin passed for 372 yards against (younger) D-1 athletes.
The next week, McMurry headed to Belton High School to play the CRU. UMHB jumped to a 28-6 lead, but a 1-hour lightning delay permitted McMurry to re-focus. McMurry scored 21 unanswered points. Jake Mullin engineered a 9-play 91-yd drive and score with 1:47 left. The 2-point PAT was intercepted. Final, 28-27. Pool C McMurry beat SCAC Pool A Trinity in round 1 25-16 without an injured Mullin, and then UMHB handily won the second round game in the rain at Belton HS stadium, 49-20. Yes, UMHB hosts were hospitable.
I saw what Coach Mumme could do with the talent that he had. The Air Raid was fun to watch. The Seven-on-Seven events around Texas have made Texas a fertile ground for QBs and receivers.
For your holiday reading, I recommend The Perfect Pass, by S. C. Gwynne. It is an engaging informative read for the student of football.