Book of D: I Believe in Santa Claus and Coach Mike Leach

I never met either one, but for reasons respective of each one, I believe in them. For the little kid that is supposed to live within each of us especially during the holiday advent or season, I still believe in old St. Nick. The meaning behind Santa is one of spreading holiday cheer after all, and I definitely partake in that. I believe in all the positive and loving things that "Father Christmas" represents. I also believe in the legend that is Mike Leach. He died much too soon last night following a massive heart attack from which he never recovered. I was sad to hear of his sudden illness and rush to the hospital. I thought about his wife and children right away - just as I do whenever someone I knew passes away. I immediately think of the loved ones. I was especially torn when I heard Coach Leach was being taken off life support and taken for hospice care. My heart knows all-too-well what that damn hospice care really means. I still remember my late Mom's eyes when hospice care was brought up following her blighted prognosis and how stupidly I sounded when I tried convincing her that hospice care did not mean what she thought. Boy, Mama must have thought I was ridiculous the minute those fucking words left my mouth. I was gut-busted when the news of Coach Leach's death was finally announced to the public this morning. You see, as I already said, I did not know the man; however, I still liked him and admired him and his [maniacal] coaching ways - mostly during his 9+ years as the head football coach of Ŧexas Ŧech U. He was called many things due to his aberrant playcalls, but after his death, the sport's pundits finally admitted that coach Leach was a football legend. Leach did for college football and our Ŧexas Ŧech football program what many before him had failed to do: he made college ball and Ŧech so freaking exciting to watch. He brought us a very different approach to the spread offense, and he literally designed "air raid!" I scarcely doubted our Red Raiders would lose under the mad coaching skills of Leach. Even if Ŧech lost, there was a reason for it, but I seldom blamed coach Leach. Leach always took the blame, and he often took others "down" with him with some choice (but funny) words for his players and coaching staff. His remarks always made me laugh and helped me to better brush off a Ŧech loss. I knew he would have the team ready for the next game following a loss. Coach Leach never pussyfooted around the media either; he called shit for the shit it was. He used humor like the straightman in a comedy duo would, and it would make one wonder, "did he really just say that?" and "Did he mean to say that?" Anyway, I will miss Coach Leach. I will always be saddened that the Ŧexas Ŧech admin fired him in '09. My spouse and I protested and marched back then to demand that the admin hire him back and to explain why they believed some whiny player and his arrogant father (who was an ESPN commentator at the time). Whatever the reason, Coach found a new home as HC at Washington State U (WSU Cougers). Eventually, he would grow his talents as a head coach and found yet another home at Mississippi State, where he was coaching when he passed. I always followed coach's career and would make sure to watch him coach his teams on tv as long as it did not interfere with my Ŧexas Ŧech football games. I am sure going to miss watching him coach Miss St. this year. He led them to a college bowl, and I was excited to watch him coach his Bulldogs. BTW, the Miss St. Bulldogs will face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the ReliaQuest Bowl on January 2, 2023 in Tampa Bay. This video was made for Coach Leach by our Raiderland family. I added the captions. Rest well, Coach (Captain Our Captain).