How will Mike Leach's hands-off approach line up with Mississippi State football's NIL push?

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach has plenty he’d rather entertain himself with than NIL.

For starters, MSU (6-3, 3-3 SEC) hosts the nation’s top team and reigning champion Georgia (9-0, 6-0) on Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN). Creating a plan, ideally one with improved wide receiver play, against an elite defense is on the forefront of his mind.

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But Leach, considered one of the most intriguing personalities in college football, has interests outside of football. Those include pirates, warfare and most anything in southern Florida.

However, the importance of NIL can't be ignored. He, along with those around him, do their best in keeping a pulse on the situation while balancing other matters.

“Staff people keep an eye on (NIL),” Leach said Monday. “If something important surfaces, then they tell you. Chasing that around every day is like an unworkable deal.”

As Mississippi State battles with massive programs such as Georgia in creating lucrative collectives, Leach plays a crucial role. His program plays a crucial role.

Saturday’s 39-33 win against Auburn proved why. In the week that followed John Cohen’s departure as MSU athletic director for the same role at Auburn, The Bulldog Initiative more than tripled its membership.

A graphic was shown on the video boards during the game, encouraging fans to keep the membership growing. With a QR code attached, the graphic gave fans an opportunity to help the team from their seats.

“That’s outstanding,” Leach said of the collective’s growth. “Charlie (Winfield) does a great job. He’s a smart guy, knows a little about everything and is good at organizing things. It really took off in a huge fashion. I think there’s a lot of energy around Mississippi State and our program. The biggest thing is to harness it. That’s a pretty good initial step.”

Winfield, an attorney, is the founder of the collective. Per the Bulldog Initiative’s website, Winfield has, “devoted a significant part of his practice to advising clients on issues related to intercollegiate athletics, including NCAA compliance matters.”

The collective had 303 members when Cohen left. Since then, the number has surpassed 1,000.

Mississippi State’s ability to be more involved is a big reason why. Mississippi amended its policy in April, allowing school employees to be engaged with third parties about NIL.

Leach expects policies to continue shifting.

“The only thing guaranteed is that they’re going to change it again,” Leach said.

MSU has actively pushed fans to donate to The Bulldog Initiative, including a commercial featuring former quarterback Dak Prescott that aired on the video board during football games.

Current athletes such as quarterback Will Rogers, men’s basketball forward Tolu Smith and women’s basketball guard Anastasia Hayes have joined the collective.

While Leach won’t benefit financially from initiatives like his athletes do, his voice can drive donations which in turn creates a more lucrative destination for recruits getting offers from other major programs.

If his approach is to be informed but hands-off until needed, wins will be his driving force. If he offers neither, he could fall behind on a key focus for MSU and its future AD.

“I think sometimes in these things, you can have too many moving parts, too many people involved,” Leach said. “The right guy at the top is a lot of times the best way to do it.”

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How will Mike Leach's NIL approach line up with new Mississippi State AD?