Longtime Cougar Coach Sweeney Dies

Cougar football fans were saddened by the recent passing of Jim Sweeney.  Sweeney was coach of the Washington State from 1968-1975.  He left the year before I came to school in '76.  Although his record at WSU was not great, he layed a foundation that lead to more successful teams in later years. Sweeney went to Fresno State and coach for a few seasons before going to the NFL.  He would return to Fresno State and coach for 17 seasons.  Sweeney was 83.

Cougs Win Apple Cup

WSU quarterback Jeff Tuell passed for 350 yards as the Cougars overcame an 18 point deficit to stun the bowl bound Washington Huskies 31-28.  The Cougars, in the midst of a nightmare season seemed to be on the way to a 9th straight loss, when they scored 18 straight points to send the game into overtime.  Andrew Furney hit a 27 yard field goal to end the game.
Because of the tradition of the Apple Cup pitting the state's two largest universities, the Cougars end the season on a somewhat happy note in spite of a 3-9 record.  This season, the first under coach Mike Leach, who turned into a polarizing figure with some of his methods of handling players.

WSU Football Controversy

When WSU hired Mike Leach as head football coach last year, the school  was hoping to put the program on the national "map".  It now is, but definitely, not the way it wants to be.  Premier wide receiver Marquess Wilson has left the team and shocked the sports world with accusations of "physical, emotional, and verbal abuse".  Reporters were already aware of how Leach handled a loss to Utah, marching selected players into a news conference to explain what he perceived as a lack of effort.  Cougar fans are questioning whether there is a method to the coach's madness or it it just madness.  WSU President Floyd has announced an investigation into Wilson's charges.  WSU football fans have seen their share of unusual coaches, but none as polarizing as Coach Leach.  Time will tell if he is the right player to turn the program around.

Cougar Sports Move To 710 ESPN

Seattle area Cougar Football and Men's Basketball fans have been angry for the past few years.   WSU Sports have been heard on local radio stations like 770 and 1090, neither station known for it's sport's coverage. This coming season, Cougar Sports are moving to 710 ESPN, the former KIRO news radio.  This means the Cougar Broadcasts will go head to head with Husky Broadcasts on 950 KJR, Seattle other sports station.  It should be more radio coverage for WSU athletics.
Veteran Broadcaster, Bob Robertson will continue to do play by play on the football broadcasts, but former Coach Jim Walden was removed by Athletic Director Bill Moos.  Walden will be replaced by Bud Nemeck (the basketball play by play announcer) and Shawn McWashington, who was a stand out running back on the 1997 Cougar Rose Bowl team.

Ryan Leaf Book Compelling

596 Switch refers to a play that the Ryan Leaf had planned to run as the last play of the 1998 Rose Bowl.  Of course, the Washington State Cougars, who were in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 60 plus years, faced one of the most controversial endings in college football.
Ryan Leaf is one of the most polarizing figures in all of sports.  Most remember him for his tempermental outburst in the San Diego Chargers' locker room.  They also remember his uncerimonious retirement from the Seattle Seahawks.   A few months ago, however, the word was out that Leaf had, shall we say, turned over a new leaf, showing maturity and humility in public apearences.  This book would bear that out, as Leaf, writes rather critically about his childish behaviour in certain situations. 
The best thing about this book is the player's eye view of the Coug's 1997-98 magical season, where the team, often considered the joke of the Pac 10 rolled over opponents and went to it's first Rose Bowl in decades.  Leaf suceeds in bringing the drama and joy of the season to life.
Of course, sadly, it seems that Leaf has fallen back into his bad patterns, but for readers who live and die with Cougar Football, I highly recomend this book.

Mike Leach Named New Cougar Coach

Former Texas Tech  coach Mike Leach  will now run the football program at Washington State University.  Leach will replace Paul Wulff, who was fired this week after the Cougs lost to Washington in the Apple Cup to top off a disappointing 4 and 8 season.   It was the best season of Wulff's tenure, and the team had shown improvement, however, with new television revenue available, Athletic Director Bill Moos felt that big changes were needed to bring the Cougars to a level to where they could compete and win nationally.
Leach  was 84-43 at Texas Tech, with 10 bowl appearances.  Cougar fans are hoping that Leach can do for Washington State, what Mike Holmgren did for the Seattle Seahawks.  Holmgren got the NFL 'Hawks into the Super Bowl in the 2005-2006 season.