The response of among WSU Cougar football fans regarding Mike Leach’s hiring by Washington State University was
immediate. Within days of Mike Leach’s hiring by Washington State, the now-famous tradition of flying the Cougar flag on ESPN Gameday took place with an added dimension: A pirate emblem (in homage to pirate-loving Mike Leach), was seen flying in the background of an ESPN Gameday broadcast.

Mike Leach has been hired to coach the football team at Washington State University.  Leach replaces the recently fired Paul Wulff, who was ousted after four dismal years of failure.  Mike Leach, the former Texas Tech coach with a fondness for pirate lore and legend, led the Raiders to 10 bowl games in 10 seasons, and favors a passing attack.  WSU, known in some quarters as Quarterback U., is desparately in need of success.  With a new fund-raising campaign coming up to refurbish the aging Martin Stadium, and with declining attenandance and interest in a failing football program, WSU Athletic Director Bill Moos had to show fans and alumni that he was serious about changing WSU’s seeming culture of accepting mediocrity in the football program.

In hiring Mike Leach, a somewhat controversial, but successful coach, WSU gains instant credibility, and perhaps a new marketing bonanza of selling stuffed cougars wearing pirate eye-patches. 

See also: http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/leach_mike_coach.htm

Jack Thompson

Rumors swirling about Cougar Nation place the names of both WSU Quarterback legend Jack Thompson, and fired former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach as possible replacements should Washington State University coach Paul Wulff be fired.  After a dismal tenure as the Cougar’s coach, and especially with his failure to get the Cougs into a bowl and yesterday’s Apple Cup loss to a less-than-sparkling UW Husky team, Wulff’s firing is all but assured.

Jack Thompson as a potential replacement is interesting in that he would definetely spark interest in WSU Alumni, especially given the campaign to raise funds for the Martin Stadium renovation. The WSU AD, Bill Moos, who is believed to have a penchant for hiring alums.   The negatives include Thompson’s lack of college coaching experience.

Mike Leach, whose name came up in a news report out of Spokane, is interesting because he does have a history of winning in NCAA football.  Among his negatives are his fiery personality (which, with WSU, may be a positive), and, of course his controversial firing at Texas Tech.

Mike Leach

Most likely, we will hear of Wulff’s fate in the next day or two, and we will see who Bill Moos, WSU’s AD, chooses as a replacement.

 See below for interviews with the Cougar players and Coach Wulff.

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Wide receiver DeVier Posey, offensive lineman Mike Adams, running back Dan Herron and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas must all donate money to a charity in the same amounts they received selling Big Ten championship rings and other school paraphernalia. Linebacker Jordan Whiting will miss one game for receiving improper benefits.  The four who need to repay money allegedly signed autographs in exchange for discounts at a tattoo parlor in Columbus, Ohio.

All five players are eligible to play in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4, when the Buckeyes will face Arkansas.  All five are also eligible to enter the NFL draft.  Pryor was considered a leading candidate to win the Heisman Trophy in 2011.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1113147-449.stm#ixzz190mueONf

Cam Newton of Auburn

The 77th annual Heisman Trophy award winner was announced on December 11, 2010, 5 PM PT at the Best Buy Theater in New York City.
The finalists for the Heisman Trophy this year included Auburn’s Cam Newton, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Oregon’s LaMichael James, and Stanford’s Andrew Luck. Cam Newton of Auburn University won the Heisman Trophy for 2010 despite a lingering concern over an alleged pay-for-play controversy involving Newton.

http://historyguy.com/sportshistory/heisman_trophy_2010.htm

http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/heisman_trophy_winners.htm

of the 21st Century

The 77th annual Heisman Trophy award winner will be announced on December 11, 2010, 5 PM PT at the Best Buy Theater in New York City.

The finalists for the Heisman Trophy this year include Auburn’s Cam Newton, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Oregon’s LaMichael James, and Stanford’s Andrew Luck.

Below are the Heisman Trophy Winners of the 21st Century

 

2009: Mark Ingram, RB–Alabama

2008: Sam Bradford, QB– Oklahoma

2007: Tim Tebow, QB– Florida

2006: Troy Smith, QB– Ohio State

2005: (Vacated – No Winner)–USC RB Reggie Bush relinquished his Heisman Trophy in eptember 2007, after USC received major NCAA infractions due to financial aid received by Bush while at USC.

 

2004: Matt Leinart, QB– USC

2003: Jason White, QB– Oklahoma

2002: Carson Palmer, QB– USC

2001: Eric Crouch, QB– Nebraska

http://historyguy.com/sportshistory/heisman_trophy_winners.htm

2010 

The 77th annual Heisman Trophy award winner will be announced on December 11, 2010, 5 PM PT at the Best Buy Theater in New York City.

The finalists for the Heisman Trophy this year include Auburn’s Cam Newton, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Oregon’s LaMichael James, and Stanford’s Andrew Luck.

 

Auburn’s QB Cam Newton

Cam Newton is probably the favorite heading into the Saturday afternoon presentation but…REST OF ARTICLE AT http://historyguy.com/sportshistory/heisman_trophy_2010.htm

Coach Carroll previously coached in the NFL, serving as head coach for the New England Patriots from 1997-99 and for the New York Jets in 1994.

Carroll also worked as the Jets’ defensive coordinator from 1990-93, the defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings (1985-89) and the Buffalo Bills (1984).

See also: http://historyguy.com/sportshistory/carroll_pete_coach.htm