WSU Coach Paul Wulff
Related Articles
Let me begin my thesis by stating, no one across Cougar Nation is pleased by the won/loss record of the Washington State Cougar football team this season.
Not a profound observation, but one that warrants being said as a preface to what follows.
Even the patience of Job would be tested by watching Coach Paul Wulff and his staff teach and coach student/athletes through the malaise of the 2008 season and the first eight games of 2009.
For Cougar fans who are expecting another win this season, watching the scoreboard these past weeks has been a horrific experience.
For WSU first and second year players accustomed to winning, this game called college football has been an experience they may never have bargained for when signing a Letter of Intent.
A point often overlooked is the high school football programs WSU freshmen come from. In nearly every case, incoming freshmen are tasting defeat on the gridiron for the first time. As a competitor, a loss is always bitter to swallow. Make no mistake, the WSU football roster is loaded with competitors from top to bottom.
For Washington State coaches, each is in the midst of uncharted territory. The WSU staff is loaded with coaches from winning programs. This group wasn’t assembled because they are part of an “old boy” network. They have been brought to Pullman with a mission of rebuilding Cougar football.
Media members covering Cougar football have been challenged to remain focused on what is taking place on the Palouse. There are a couple of exceptions who have continued to report on the changes afoot with the Cougs. Vince Grippi of the Spokesman-Review is diligent in ferreting out the facts about Cougar football. His articles published in the paper, on the web and in his blog are filled with the real story about what Coach Wulff is accomplishing.
This morning, Howie Stalwick published a commentary reminding readers what was going on with Cougar football before Coach Wulff arrived and offered an update on where things are today. Stalwick’s article is a “must read” for everyone across Cougar Nation. Click HERE to read for yourself.
For much of the past two seasons, WSU football descriptions range from a bumpy ride to a catastrophic train wreck. My view of the situation falls somewhere in between those extremes.
Looking forward to at least another victory this season will require a couple of units to step up their play.
The offensive line is on pace to give up more sacks than the local Safeway grocery store. Anchored by Kenny Alfred at center with the return of Zack Williams and BJ Guerra at the guard positions, this unit is capable of getting the job done.
Coach Wulff has found his starting quarterback in Jeff Tuel. Against Notre Dame, Dwight Tardy showed why he’s been the leading rusher for Washington State every year since Jerome Harrison moved on to the NFL in 2006. And there’s finally a diverse group of receivers who can beat defenses to make plays.
It’s time for the offensive line to stand and deliver.
Improved results from the linebacker unit will go a long way to picking up another win with four games remaining. Though WSU has been playing your basic bend-don’t-break defensive scheme, winning football games at this level with the top two tacklers on defense a couple of safeties just isn’t going to happen. That won’t get it done.
At this point in the season, every team has their share of players dinged up with a variety of injuries. You have to expect that after eight games. It’s the nature of college football.
With the lessons learned from eight games, it’s time for the linebacker unit to step up and execute what they’ve been coached.
Washington State players have Monday off. The coaches will be looking over film to develop a plan to attack Arizona this coming weekend. They will take things from the Notre Dame game that worked and incorporate them into schemes to counter the strengths of the Wildcats.
Having been fairly described by Ted Miller of ESPN.com as always finding something “positive” to write about Cougar football, you may choose to dismiss my writing about the Cougs as little more than a “homer”. Frankly, there have been far more positives to write about this season than last. That isn’t a solitary perspective.
Taking a step further, there will be even more positives to write about from this point forward.
The evolution of Cougar football has been one of rebuilding since Coach Wulff signed a contract to take over as head coach at Washington State.
A fair argument is made about Coach Wulff and his staff working too hard last season and giving players more than they were capable of adapting to.
If you take a serious look at the play and potential growth of the first and second year players for the Cougs, you will not only see improvement there’s a host of signs pointing to a bright future. Heck, we haven’t even seen what the student/athletes can do who are currently using their redshirt year to mature mentally and physically.
Calling for Coach Wulff to be fired over the won/loss record over the past 21 games is akin to calling for the impeachment of President Obama because our nation is in a recession. Both men are taking positive steps to turn things around. Both men are like captains of a huge ocean vessel. When a captain elects to change course at sea, he must call for turning the rudder long before expecting the ship to react. You can already see a glimmer of progress from the Cougs improving play on the field.
Improvement on the scoreboard is on the horizon.
This evolution of Cougar football will be enhanced and accelerated by the support of Cougar Nation.
Then again, there’s always the option of pointing fingers and assigning blame for things yet to happen…
Comments