WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - William & Mary head men's golf coach Tim Pemberton announced on Monday that Mike Leach '00 has been named the men's golf program's new assistant coach.
 
"We are thrilled to have Mike join us and share his experiences as a student-athlete at William & Mary and as a professional athlete with our program," Pemberton said. "He's a high-character, first-class person, father, and husband. His competitive background and familiarity with William & Mary Athletics will be an asset to the development of our players and continued momentum for the program."
 
A two-time All-American tight end on the William & Mary Football Team and 2011 Inductee into the William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame, Leach enjoyed a 16-year NFL career prior to his retirement back to Williamsburg in 2016 with his wife, Julie (Sommer) Leach '99, and their two children, Ryan and Madeline. 
 
"William & Mary Athletics has played a key role in our family's story." Leach said.  "I've long believed that Tribe Golf should be among the best in the nation, and I feel Tim has a plan to achieve this.  I'm excited to work with him and our players to make this happen."
 
During his college football career at William & Mary, Leach recorded 91 receptions for 958 yards and 10 touchdowns.  An equally accomplished punter, Leach was a two-time first team all-conference and all-state performer. He averaged a school-record 44.4 yards per attempt as a junior and finished his career with an average of 42.7 yards over 97 career punting attempts.
 
On April 20, 2000, Leach signed with the NFL's Tennessee Titans where he played for two seasons.  Over the next 14 years, Leach's NFL playing career included seven years with the Denver Broncos (2002-09) and his final seven years with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring in 2016 following the NFC Championship Game. 
 
For the majority of Leach's 235-game NFL career, it was his special teams prowess as a long-snapper that was most valued, as he was often recognized among the game's best.  On and off the field, his team leadership and charitable contributions within the community earned him high praise.  In 2010, he was named the Arizona Cardinals Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
 
Upon retiring to Williamsburg, Leach has been actively involved with William & Mary Athletics.  He currently serves alongside honorary Tribe Alum, Jay Colley, as host for William & Mary's Tribe Football television and radio broadcasts.  In addition, he is actively involved in the Williamsburg real estate market with Howard Hannah Real Estate Services. 
 
As a scratch golfer both during and after his NFL playing days, Leach currently competes in various VSGA and USGA events. 
 
"He's a true student of the game." Pemberton said.  "He understands swing mechanics and the technical aspects of golf.  More impressive though, is how Mike has been able to translate so many of the attributes of an NFL athlete into his golf game.  He's seen how NFL athletes prepare both physically and mentally.  He's as competitive as anyone I've met.  In today's highest levels of golf, there's more athleticism than in the past.  Everyone's looking to gain more speed, more power, gain an edge athletically, and simply outwork the competition.  Mike's been living in that environment his entire career in the NFL, and I'm confident his experiences will benefit our players."
 
Mike's wife, Julie (Sommer) Leach '99, has been equally exceptional with her athletic accomplishments and dedication to William & Mary Athletics.  She graduated from William & Mary with a degree in government in 1999 as a Dean's List honoree.  She balanced her academic work with outstanding play on the hardwood, as she captained the women's basketball squad both her junior and senior seasons.  Leach completed her Tribe career ranked fifth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,216 points) and was honored by the Colonial Athletic Association as a "Legend of the Program" during the 2007 conference tournament. Leach's academic success was also recognized regionally, as she was named to the District GTE Academic All-American team for the 1998-99 season.  Since moving back to Williamsburg, Julie has served William & Mary as the Assistant Director of Athletics Development and currently serves as the Executive Director of the William & Mary Foundation.