Netflix today officially announced the premiere date for its highly anticipated documentary celebrating the life and extraordinary career of the late, legendary head coach Mike Leach. Titled “Swing Your Sword: The Mike Leach Story”, the film is set to debut globally on..

May 29, 2025* — Netflix today officially announced the global premiere date for its highly anticipated sports documentary, **“Swing Your Sword: The Mike Leach Story,”** a powerful and personal look at the life and career of the late, legendary head coach **Mike Leach**. The documentary will premiere worldwide on **July 12, 2025**, marking what would have been Leach’s 64th birthday.

The film, which has already generated strong early buzz, is expected to be one of the most impactful sports documentaries of the year. Known for his unorthodox methods, colorful personality, and football brilliance, Mike Leach left a lasting legacy across multiple college programs and within the sport itself.

Mike Leach’s journey was unlike any other in the world of football. He never played college football. He held a law degree from Pepperdine. He had a passion for pirates, Geronimo, and military strategy. And yet, he went on to become one of the most innovative minds in the game—best known for revolutionizing the passing offense with his now-famous “Air Raid” system.

The documentary follows Leach’s rise from an assistant coach in obscurity to national relevance at Texas Tech Washington State, and finally Mississippi State, where he was serving as head coach before his untimely death in December 2022. He passed away at the age of 61 due to complications from a heart condition.

This film is about more than just football,” said director Jonathan Hock, a veteran sports documentarian. “It’s about a man who refused to be anyone but himself, who challenged the norm and inspired people to think differently.

Titled after Leach’s best-selling 2011 book, *Swing Your Sword*, the documentary includes never-before-seen footage from locker rooms, practice fields, sideline interactions, and personal moments with friends and family. The film includes emotional and candid interviews with dozens of people who knew and worked with Leach—ranging from former players and assistant coaches to national sports reporters and rival head coaches.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from controversy, covering his highly publicized firing from Texas Tech and his resurgence in the coaching world. But at its core, the story celebrates a man who did things his own way, and whose legacy is measured not just in wins, but in influence.

This marks another major step in Netflix’s push into elite-level sports storytelling. With hits like *The Last Dance*, *Quarterback*, and *Formula 1: Drive to Survive*, Netflix has proven its ability to blend high-quality storytelling with deep access and emotional depth.

Mike Leach’s story is one of grit, originality, and fearless thinking,” said Netflix’s VP of Documentaries, Lisa Nishimura. “We’re honored to bring it to a global audience.

Beyond football, Mike Leach was known for his philosophical musings on everything from marriage advice to ancient history. His press conference soundbites became viral hits. His players described him as a mentor, a mad genius, and a fiercely loyal friend.

He made you think,” said one former player. “About football, but also about life. About why we do what we do.”

Netflix has planned special advance screenings of the film in Lubbock, Texas, and Starkville, Mississippi, where Leach made some of his greatest coaching impacts. Both events are expected to bring out former players, fans, and community members to celebrate his memory.