"NOT ME BAWLING"— Dancing with the Stars fans react to Danny's tribute to Mike Leach

Dancing with the Stars season 33 aired a brand new episode on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The theme of the night was Dedication Night and the celebrity contestants paid tribute to an important figure in their lives with their performances.

One such contestant was former NFL player, Danny Amendola and his partner Witney Carson. The two paid tribute to Danny's late coach Mike Leach with their contemporary performance and earned a score of 36 out of 40.

Fans reacted to the dance routine online and praised the athlete's performance. One person wrote on X:

"Ok I’m late but I’m catching up but NOT ME BAWLING TO THE MIKE LEACH TRIBUTE"

"Grew up watching Mike Leach coaching Texas Tech football. So good to see Danny dedicate that beautiful dance to him," a tweet read.

"Danny Amendola on #DWTS dancing in memory of the GOAT, Coach Mike Leach. I think we all miss The Pirate," a fan commented.

Fans of Dancing with the Stars felt coach Leach would have been proud of Danny:

"“Swing your sword!” I love it, Danny and Witney! Coach Mike Leach would be proud!" a person wrote.

"Don't know this Danny guy, from week 1, thought oh,few eps maybe, now I don't think he wins but dang just so wrong on potential, especially with witney as a partner, you are going to have some personal success at least. That was very moving," a fan commented.

"Danny dedicating his dance to almost @uindyfb coach Mike Leach. Ok, coaches/teachers are acceptable subs for mom," a tweet read.

Fans of Dancing with the Stars season 33 further said:

"Grew up watching Mike Leach coaching Texas Tech football. So good to see Danny dedicate that beautiful dance to him," a person wrote.

"Danny Amendola making me cry dedicating his dance to Mike Leach," a fan commented.

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Danny Amendola pays tribute to former coach Mike Leach with latest Dancing with the Stars season 33 performance

In Dancing with the Stars season 33 episode 5, athlete Danny Amendola and Witney Carson danced contemporary to Unsteady by Erich Lee Gravity Remix by Ambassadors. The song was a dedication to his late college football coach Mike Leach, who passed away in December 2022 due to a heart condition.

Ahead of his performance, the former NFL player said that Coach Mike was an "instrumental character" in his life and career. He added that the coach's model was to "swing your sword."

"You know, you're gonna go into a sword fight, you really want to get out there and really swing it," he said.

The Dancing with the Stars season 33 star said he had felt a part of himself missing since coach Mike's passing. Danny added that he no longer had his "rock."

The performance was met with praise by the judges. Carrie Ann Ibana said the dance routine was a "breakthrough". Guest judge Mark Ballas called it a "breakout performance" for Danny. Derek Hough thanked Danny for committing and taking the time to learn and "absorb." Bruno Tonioli termed it the athlete's best performance so far.

All four judges gave Danny and Witney a 9 out of 10 and brought his total up to 36 out of 40.

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How did Mike Leach pass away?

The Dancing with the Stars season 33 contestant, Danny Amendola's former coach, Mike Leach, was the head football coach at Mississippi State University at the time of his passing. The university announced that he died from "heart condition complications" at the age of 61.

The Leach family released a statement via the university and said that the coach was a "giving and attentive husband, father, and grandfather." The coach's final act of charity was participating in organ donation at the university's medical center, UMMC.

Fans of Dancing with the Stars season 33 praised Danny's performance and his tribute to the late coach online.

Dancing with the Stars season 33 will air episode 6 on October 22, 2024, on ABC.