Mike Leach can now add author to his long list of achievements.
Leach’s autobiography, “Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and Life” (Diversion Books, $25.95), reached No. 5 on the New York Times Bestseller’s List and became the No. 1 sports book on both Amazon.com and Apple’s iBooks since its July release.
The 270-page autobiography contains well-told stories about his life, offensive philosophy and his controversial split with Texas Tech University. After coaching the Red Raiders for 10 years, Leach left after ESPN football analyst Craig James complained his son and Red Raiders player, Adam James, was mistreated after suffering a concussion.
Leach is the winningest football coach in Texas Tech history and led the team to a No. 2 national ranking. He earned 2008 Coach of the Year honors and was recognized as an offensive innovator during his coaching career.
Leach, who is the Academy’s 2003 Alumnus of the Year and obtained his master’s degree is sports coaching from the Academy in 1989, currently hosts Sirius XM College Football Playbook weekdays from Noon to 3 p.m. EST. He recently spoke with The Sport Update about his book and a new one in the works, the Texas Tech controversy and returning to coaching.
Leach on “Swing Your Sword”: I didn’t know anything about the publishing business and was at it for two years. I’ve always been positive and had high expectations, so the good reviews and making the best seller’s list has been exciting. I’m working on a new project, “Sports for Dorks,” as a co-editor and that will be out this fall.
Leach on Texas Tech split in book: I didn’t want to let the question linger out there. I’m not the kind of person who dodges questions. But I didn’t want to dwell on it either, so that’s why it’s only two chapters. Plus, it’s all in their (James’ and university officials’) words. This is their side and what they said. It provided the initial sizzle because people wanted to hear about that. But I didn’t want the book to be about it and it’s not. If it was all sizzle it would have fizzled by now, instead of being successful. I didn’t want it to just be about highlights and scores either.
Leach on returning to coach football: I do plan to coach again but I’m being selective. I’m going to jump at the right situation. I want somewhere that has high graduation rates. Texas Tech always had the best graduation rate among public institutions. We had a lot of pride and success with that. My experience is in working with college and my contacts are in college but I wouldn’t rule out the NFL. In the NFL, it’s all about the ownership that has a commitment to being successful.