Mike Leach, the innovative coach who revolutionized college football with the Air Raid offense, has been nominated for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame class, just under four years after his death.
Leach's final coaching stop was at Mississippi State before his death in December 2022.
The National Football Foundation released the ballot, with the class to be unveiled in January. The list includes 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, plus 99 players and 39 coaches from lower levels.
Under previous rules, Leach fell short. But the NFF lowered the minimum career winning percentage from .600 to .595 for the 2027 class. Leach posted a .596 winning percentage during his tenures at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, finishing 158-107.
He coached his teams to 18 wins over Top 25 opponents when his team was unranked.
Other FBS coaches on the ballot include Larry Coker, Dennis Franchione, Ralph Friedgen, Darryl Rogers, Jackie Sherrill, and Tommy Tuberville. Heisman winners Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III are also on the ballot, alongside first-time nominees Tavon Austin, Melvin Gordon, A.J. Hawk, and Barrett Jones.