Mike Leach has never been a man for sentimentality.
After Leach’s Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated Texas A&M 42-24 on Saturday, SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lang asked the coach for his advice as she is planning her upcoming wedding.
“Who are you marrying?” Leach asked.
“His name is Trevor,” Lang responded, referring to Trevor Sikkema, an analyst for Pro Football Focus.
Leach gave Lang what he believed to be practical advice.
“Whatever you and Trevor decide, I would kind of keep it on the down low, which you’ve failed to do that. Trevor was probably planning to but you didn’t. Don’t say anything else about it, but as soon as the season’s over, or even during an off week — go elope,” he said.
Leach said there would be consequences, but that they’d blow over.
“Basically every female in the family is going to terrorize you guys until it’s over,” he warned. “Once it’s over, I mean, they’ll be upset for a few days, but it’ll be over, and then you cruise along and have a happy marriage, have a happy life.”
The football coach was pretty sure that Lang’s fiancé would feel the same way he did about steering away from the pomp and circumstance of a full-blown wedding.
“Trevor, unless he’s crazy, is totally on my side,” Leach continued. “Trust me on this, if Trevor doesn’t have the sense to do that, tell him to call me. I told all my kids, I’ll give you $10,000 extra if you elope. So far, they haven’t done it. But I would [give them the money], too.”