Washington State head coach Mike Leach officially endorsed Donald Trump for President on Saturday, speaking for the presumptive Republican nominee at a rally in Spokane. “It’s time for Mr. Trump to assist us together in our country…making America great again,” Leach said, according to KOIN-TV.
Leach’s affinity for Trump should come as no surprise. The two have been friends dating back to the coach’s days at Texas Tech, and Trump even introduced the Red Raiders’ starters during ABC’s telecast of their 2007 upset of No. 4 Oklahoma.
"I put in a call to (Leach), and we become phone friends." Trump says he likes people who likes him, "even Putin."
— Kip Hill (@kiphillreporter) May 7, 2016
Trump on Leach: "He's a genius. He's an offensive genius."
— Kip Hill (@kiphillreporter) May 7, 2016
Leach returned the favor for Trump on Saturday.
Leach: "Over the last 10 years, I've had a hard time distinguishing what I've seen on the news with House of Cards."
— Kip Hill (@kiphillreporter) May 7, 2016
Leach: "Over the last 10 years, I've had a hard time distinguishing what I've seen on the news with House of Cards."
— Kip Hill (@kiphillreporter) May 7, 2016
Washington State followed Leach’s endorsement with a statement clearing Leach’s ability to support Trump while also distancing itself from its head coach’s opinion.
#WSU statement regarding employees expressing personal views https://t.co/BM0xKRLtY0 pic.twitter.com/v3Hz89YLiq
— WSU News (@WSUNews) May 7, 2016
View Leach’s comments at Saturday’s rally below.
When it comes to speaking off the cuff and following every rabbit trail that enters his mind to completion, Leach and Trump are truly two peas in a pod.
Leach is the first FBS coach to endorse Trump -- and quite possibly the last.