Mike Leach on Hall of Fame ballot after rule change
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- National Football Foundation lowered the coaching Hall of Fame winning‑percentage threshold from .600 to .595 in 2025.
- Mike Leach – whose career record of 158‑107 (.596) now meets the new criterion – appears on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.
- Steve Hatchell said the threshold adjustment reflects “thoughtful dialogue with leaders across the sport” and aims to recognize coaches whose impact goes beyond a narrow statistical cut‑off.
- Jackie Sherrill also makes his debut on the 2027 ballot, despite a .592 career winning percentage, after the rule change.
- The 2027 Hall of Fame ballot lists 80 FBS players and nine coaches, plus 99 players and 39 coaches from other divisions, with the class to be announced in January 2027 during the College Football Playoff.
Why it matters: Coaches like Mike Leach and Jackie Sherrill now qualify for Hall of Fame consideration, expanding the candidate pool and rewarding contributions beyond a strict .600 win rate, which could reshape future selections.
