Mike Leach Confuses Ankles with Legs While Explaining Connor Halliday Injury

Mike Leach tried to channel his inner Dr. House during a press conference Monday, but he struggled mightily in his explanation of the injury Connor Halliday had sustained against USC.

The Washington State football coach attempted to clear up the confusion surrounding his quarterback’s season-ending injury—specifically, whether Halliday had broken his leg or his ankle while playing the Trojans.

Somehow, Leach's explanation made things even muddier, as he appears to believe Halliday’s leg bones are part of his ankle.

Deadspin’s Kevin Draper spotted a Comcast SportsNet video of the confusing press conference. Leach first stated that Halliday had broken his ankle, then elaborated that Halliday had broken his "whole ankle."

"Well it’s pretty much out there," Leach said. "He broke his ankle. ... You can go read that report and then go ahead and ask that guy, and then whatever you draw from that, that would be great. ... The whole ankle."

Despite this exacting breakdown, reporters continued asking for clarification. Some had heard that Halliday had broken the tibia and fibula in his leg—bones Leach maintained were part of the ankle.

"Well, the tibula [sic] and the fibula are in the ankle, you see. Here, let me show you," Leach said, flinging his leg onto the conference table. "Big bone, little bone. Both of them."

In Leach’s mind, Halliday’s injury is a high ankle break involving those long shoots of marrow connecting the lower ankle and the knee. Some would call it a leg, but the coach prefers the "tibula," which is like the tibia but ankle-ier.

The Washington State coach has already blessed the college football world with a thesis on the downfall of humanity due to Internet dating this year. We can only sit back and eagerly await his thoughts on fire: Rapid oxidation? Or just angry air?

Follow Dan on Twitter for more sports and pop culture filigree.

Follow @Dr_Carson_