WSU basketball fans, we interrupt you to bring you some news from the Football Operations Building. There, head coach Jake Dickert is gathering the rest of the football staff and preparing for spring practice.
The Cougs are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season after starting 4-0, including a win over No. 1. 19 Wisconsin and no. 14 before facing Oregon State, Planting and he lost six straight. A near-upset in the Apple Cup ended WSU's chances of winning eight straight bowl games.
Since then, the Cougs have replaced two assistants and have a number of games scheduled against Mountain West opponents. First, let's look at a coach who is new to the job.
Jared Custer, offensive line coach
WSU announced the hiring of Custer on March 1st to replace Clay McGuire, who went to Texas Tech, meaning he will return to Pullman along with Josh Kelley on September 7th.
Custer joins from Austin Peay, where he coached the offensive line and served as co-offensive coordinator. Custer is a graduate of Texas Tech University, and I see a theme with this hire.
Under Coach Custer, the Governors (nicknamed Austin Peay) averaged 152.7 rushing yards per game, but considering the Cougs' lack of success running the ball last season, that's more than WSU's rushing yards per game. That's a good number for. Quarterback Austin Peay was sacked 18 times last year (WSU allowed 24 sacks for comparison).
Allen Brown, cornerbacks coach
Allen Brown will replace Ray Brown, who left for Boston University this offseason.
The new Brown most recently served as the quality control coach at the University of Florida. He previously held the same position at the University of California and was the secondary coach at Eastern Washington University and Cal Poly. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University, where he was a three-time All-Big Sky selection as a cornerback. He played alongside current WSU wide receivers coach Nick Edwards at Eastern and under current WSU defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding.
spring practice schedule
If you're interested in spring practice, it starts March 26th and ends with the annual Crimson and Gray Game on April 27th. WSU will have his 14 practices and his three scrimmages, including the Crimson and Gray game. WSU will play a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday schedule, with weekday practices beginning at 7:55 a.m. and Saturday practice and scrimmage at 10:30 a.m.
The Crimson and Gray game will begin April 27 at 3 p.m.
Cougs participate in NFL Combine
Three former Cougs, Brennan Jackson, Jaden Hicks and Chau Smith-Wade, recently participated in the NFL's annual Cattle Prod and were popular with NFL scouts ahead of the April 25-27 NFL Draft. I tried to make an impression.
Performances from Jackson, Hicks, and Smith-Wade can be viewed online, and both Jackson and Hicks are described as “good backups with the potential to develop into starters.” Smith-Wade was judged to be an “average backup special teamer.”
We wish all three of them the best of luck in their pursuit of a career as professional soccer players.
