Mike Leach had a wide-ranging interview with USA Today this week. But he also has not shied away from engaging with Twitter users who have taken issue with his political allegiances.
Naturally inquisitive and unapologetic about it, Washington State coach Mike Leach has never been shy about expressing his opinion on any topic he’s quizzed on.
So Brent Schrotenboer from USA Today caught up with Leach in his office in Pullman this week and got the coach to weigh on in a disparate number of subjects.
One thing that stuck out to me — Leach has never operated a computer, due, he says to “a combination of a lack of interest and the availability of better people to do it.”
Some excerpts from that interview:
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What is Leach’s opinion on the situation in North Korea?
The coach thinks China must play a key role in keeping North Korea in check. He thinks the world let North Korea go unchecked for too long because it’s an uncomfortable subject to deal with.
“The whole world wanted to go about their life, and live a happy life, and tend to their families and things like that. But that doesn’t change the fact the garbage is accumulating in the garage,” Leach told Schrotenboer.
What does Leach think of Donald Trump’s presidency thus far?Â
Leach’s friendship with Trump is well-documented, and the coach even stumped for Trump at a rally in Spokane in May 2016. However, Leach told Schrotenboer that’s the last time he saw Trump.
So, Leach’s thoughts on the presidency?
“It’s still unfolding. There’s still going to be more sparks fly. It’s going to happen in both parties, too,” Leach said.
According to Schrotenboer, Leach declined to discuss any specific controversies related to Trump’s administration, but wants a more dynamic federal legislature with members who have specific term limits.
Leach also reiterated his support for the freedom of speech, calling for — per Schrotenboer — “better civil discourse in this country in general — in which it’s OK to attack ideas but not the people expressing those ideas.”
Even on Twitter, which he started using regularly this summer, Leach has been vocal about the importance of free speech.
In the wake of Charlottesville and the revelation that James Allsup, the now former-president of WSU’s College Republicans organization, was participated in the rally that turned violent, Leach has been flooded on Twitter with requests from people who want his opinion on Trump, Charlottesville and A Twitter user tweeted at him this week asking for a statement on whether Leach still supports Trump.
Leach has answered some of these questions via his @Coach_Leach Twitter account.
Leach’s response:
A Twitter debate about the divisions between the liberals and the “alt-right” ensued, and ultimately Twitter user Anthony J. Ward told Leach:
Leach’s response:
To wade farther into partisan political waters, Leach has also had Twitter conversations with Hillary Clinton supporters this week. Including this one with a woman who said she was disappointed that he would not denounce his support for Trump.
Leach’s response was to ask her who she’d voted for. After she’d explained her decision to vote for Clinton, Leach responded:
Oh, and for what it’s worth, Leach says he’s “happy” at Washington State. He’s also read the entire Old Testament and New Testament four times.
Leach apparently reads about 10 pages of the King James Bible before games.