Mississippi State coach Mike Leach taken to hospital in ambulance after 'personal health issue'

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach was transported from his home to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, via ambulance Sunday following a "personal health issue," the school announced. Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has been elevated to interim coach of the Bulldogs in the meantime. 

"That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding Coach Leach's condition, and the university will make no other comment at this time other than to say that the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and Sharon and their family," the school said in a statement.

Leach, 61, is one of the most innovative offensive minds in college football. His Air Raid system put Texas Tech on the map, and his coaching tree of former assistants and players spans the entire college football landscape. That tree includes USC coach Lincoln Riley and Houston coach Dana Holgorsen, as well as current Arizona Cardinals coach and former Red Raiders quarterback Kliff Kingsbury.

Many of those coaches -- including Riley and Holgorsen-- sent their well-wishes to Leach and his family on Twitter on Sunday. 

The 22nd-ranked Bulldogs finished the season 8-4 with a win over rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving night. That earned the team a berth in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa against Illinois. He is 19-17 in three seasons with MSU and has led the Bulldogs to three straight bowl games. He was hired by Mississippi State after posting a 55-47 mark in eight seasons at Washington State (2012-19) and a 84-43 record at Texas Tech from 2000-09.