Nick Saban sends condolences to Mike Leach's family: 'Deeply saddened by his unexpected passing'

Alabama football coach Nick Saban was among many across the world of football who offered tributes to Mike Leach after the Mississippi State coach died Monday at 61.

Leach passed after complications from a heart condition.

"Mike Leach was a friend, and we are deeply saddened by his unexpected passing," Saban's statement read. "I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mike over the last several years. I never knew quite where our conversations were going, but they always made me smile. He was an offensive innovator who always did things his way and was admired for it. His teams were well-coached and extremely challenging to defend. They played with poise and toughness, which is a credit to his leadership. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sharon, their children and the entire Mississippi State family."

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Leach had just finished his third season coaching the Bulldogs. As a coach, he was known for his innovation and Air Raid offense and for having a reach that spanned many corners of college football with stops including Washington State and Texas Tech as a head coach as well as Oklahoma, Kentucky, Valdosta State and more as an assistant.

Leach was hospitalized Sunday after a "personal health issue" at his home, per MSU athletics. He was transferred to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson where he died Monday night.

"Mike's infectious personality and passion for the game have impacted the sport in so many positive ways during his career," Saban said in a statement released Monday after news became public that Leach had been hospitalized.