SEATTLE -- Washington State coach Paul Wulff said Monday he has the support of his school's administration and will be back in 2010 despite just three victories in his first two seasons.
In a conference call with reporters ahead of Saturday's Apple Cup against Washington, Wulff said athletic director Jim Sterk has talked to his staff and been "very reassuring about what we've been doing."
"(Sterk's) very excited about how much work we've done and moving forward. It's been outstanding," Wulff said. "As we move into next year you're going to see a hugely improved team, one of the most improved teams around. We've got all the ingredients to take a giant step as a team."
Wulff, a former offensive lineman for the Cougars, was hired from Football Championship Subdivision Eastern Washington to take over for Bill Doba after the 2007 season.
Dealing with reduced scholarships because of academic penalties and installing a new philosophy that not every one bought into, while trying to reshape a program that grew complacent after a trio of 10-win seasons earlier this decade, Wulff and the Cougars struggled to a 2-11 mark in his first season.
The losses during that first campaign were eye-popping, including going 10 consecutive quarters in the middle of last season getting outscored 172-0. They lost to California 66-3, Oregon 63-14, Oregon State 66-13, USC 69-0 and Stanford 58-0.
The only redeeming win in Wulff's first season was a stunning 16-13 double overtime upset of Washington that was part of the Huskies' winless season.
This year hasn't been any better for Wulff, leading fans to question whether the former center was the right person to try and revitalize football on the Palouse. Plagued by injuries and a lack of depth that's required a number of true freshman to play this season, the Cougars are 1-10 entering Saturday's game, where they are 24 1/2-point underdogs to the Huskies.
The Cougars' only victory is over SMU and their offense hasn't scored more than 17 points since late September.
Defensively, Washington State has allowed at least 40 points in six of its last seven games and it ranks 118th out of 120 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring defense.
"We just know this program is going to jump by leaps and bounds," Wulff said. "You're right, that helps us keep our sanity because there are so many parts that are missing right now that are going to be in the fold next year and we know we're going to take a big, big step as a program."
-- The 2010 Apple Cup could be moving to December, but neither school is confirming the switch.
The Seattle Times reported Sunday that the 2010 game would not be played on Nov. 20 as originally scheduled and that Wulff hinted it would be moved to Dec. 4.
Similar stories:
Wulff's future at WSU may ride on Apple Cup
Wulff's future at WSU may ride on Apple Cup
SPOKANE -- Washington State's bowl hopes were dashed by an overtime loss to Utah, but there is still plenty on the line in Saturday's Apple Cup game against archrival Washington.
Tops on the list is the future of WSU coach Paul Wulff.
There is passionate debate among Cougars fans about whether the fourth-year coach should be fired or brought back for the final year of his contract.
Wulff attempts to ignore fans' grumbling
Wulff attempts to ignore fans' grumbling
PULLMAN -- Washington State football coach Paul Wulff spoke candidly about his job status again Tuesday, saying he's trying to ignore the rumblings out there, although it's tough to do.
"So many people talk in this world about coaches, in all the sports, it's just part of our society now, people like to talk about that stuff," Wulff said in a weekly press conference.
"Ultimately, it all comes back to Bill Moos. He's the athletic director and he's the best expert we could all ask for to build Cougar football. If he feels we're headed in a good direction, that's his call."
Cougs won't play Saturday vs. ASU
Cougs won't play Saturday vs. ASU
PULLMAN -- After Saturday's deflating 30-7 defeat at the hands of a California team that came in sporting a .500 overall record and tied with Washington State at the bottom of the Pac-12 North, Paul Wulff was introspective.
"The performance today was not acceptable, and it starts with me," he said in the leaky hallways under San Francisco's AT&T Park, the soggy conditions matching the fourth-year Cougar coach's mood. "We've got to play better than that.
"We'll see what the character of this team is made of (from) here. We have to respond back home against Arizona State."
FOOTBALL: Wulff likely out as Cougars coach (w/ gallery)
FOOTBALL: Wulff likely out as Cougars coach (w/ gallery)
SEATTLE -- Paul Wulff has likely coached his last football game at Washington State.
Sources close to the situation say Wulff, whose Cougars lost 38-21 to Washington on Saturday at CenturyLink Field, will be dismissed after a meeting with athletic director Bill Moos, barring a last-minute change of direction by Moos. It could happen as early as today, possibly Monday.
A reversal of thinking is unlikely, and sources familiar with the process say the Cougars will have former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach at the top of their list of possible replacements. Leach has been out of coaching since 2009 after a controversial exit from Tech that resulted in him suing the school.
Cougs pumped for CenturyLink, Beavers
Cougs pumped for CenturyLink, Beavers
SEATTLE -- It's Seattle Week for Washington State University.
Not to be mistaken for Junior Cougar day or Recent Grad Weekend or any other marketing ploy designed to pump up crowds at Martin Stadium.
For one thing, Saturday night's Pac-12 game with Oregon State isn't in Pullman. For the ninth time in 10 years, the Cougars are playing at what-is-now-called CenturyLink Field.
Print
Email Story
