[CTcard]

Also, after virtually signing with Tennessee, Leach has probably burned some bridges at WSU. Does the pirate "crew" trust the pirate captain who tried to jump ship and leave them marooned in Pullman?  It could evolve like Arizona has, where the school, the fans, and the coach are not really happy with the situation, but nobody involved has a good alternative choice.  Rich Rod was supposedly going to be out at Arizona this year until Khalil Tate burst upon the scene (due to a "fortunate" injury) and ensured at least one more year of coaching "tension". I think it likely that Leach is now much more actively trying to move on, and may take an offer he wouldn't have taken before the Tennessee debacle.

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that if Leach ends up staying, all is forgiven until and unless the losses start piling up.

However, I think the most valuable coaching commodity in Pullman lately is Alex Grinch. WSU has been known for offense, my impression has been that they recruit better for offense (not sure), but lately their defense has been by far the better unit and more responsible for the wins.

For example, WSU is #97 in the country in offense-FEI and #8 in defense-FEI. I think you will find similar disparity in other advanced stats. I am very impressed with what Grinch put together with an undersized front and not particularly awesome individual talent. [One first team all-conference DL (Mata'afa), one second team all-conference DB (Thompson) who was among the multi-way tie for the final spot, one LB honorable mention (Luvu).]

[CTcard]

Also, after virtually signing with Tennessee, Leach has probably burned some bridges at WSU. Does the pirate "crew" trust the pirate captain who tried to jump ship and leave them marooned in Pullman?  It could evolve like Arizona has, where the school, the fans, and the coach are not really happy with the situation, but nobody involved has a good alternative choice.  Rich Rod was supposedly going to be out at Arizona this year until Khalil Tate burst upon the scene (due to a "fortunate" injury) and ensured at least one more year of coaching "tension". I think it likely that Leach is now much more actively trying to move on, and may take an offer he wouldn't have taken before the Tennessee debacle.

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that if Leach ends up staying, all is forgiven until and unless the losses start piling up.

However, I think the most valuable coaching commodity in Pullman lately is Alex Grinch. WSU has been known for offense, my impression has been that they recruit better for offense (not sure), but lately their defense has been by far the better unit and more responsible for the wins.

For example, WSU is #97 in the country in offense-FEI and #8 in defense-FEI. I think you will find similar disparity in other advanced stats. I am very impressed with what Grinch put together with an undersized front and not particularly awesome individual talent. [One first team all-conference DL (Mata'afa), one second team all-conference DB (Thompson) who was among the multi-way tie for the final spot, one LB honorable mention (Luvu).]