Mike Leach was remembered in a big way on Tuesday, as thousands poured into Humphrey Coliseum to share and hear countless stories about Leach, who was remembered by his current and former players, assistant coaches and head coaches who hired him.

Among the speakers were Hal Mumme, Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley; players Gardner Minshew, Gabe Marks, Will Rogers and Nathaniel Watson; longtime friend and agent Gary O’Hagan; Southern Cal senior associate athletics director Dave Emerick, who formerly served in that role at MSU and worked with Leach for 18 years; as well as Voice of the Bulldogs Neil Price.

“Let me encourage you to do this,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “Make sure you pay it forward for others, as he did for you.”

Added Riley, “He truly did invest in other people, and it’s a great reminder for us all that if you’ll take a little bit of your time and invest it in other people and get to know them, and look to help them, it’s amazing how you can change one person’s life.”

Mumme recalled that for 33 years, Leach taught him that fear and faith are not compatible thought processes. Stoops added that Leach made them all better, and it was better that they were with him.

Minshew said his favorite thing about Leach was “that extreme courage to just be yourself.”

Rogers recalled coming out of a timeout and discussing a play call with Leach, however, they didn’t agree.

Rogers added that Leach finally said, “All right, well, call something that’ll score.”