COUGARS HOST UTAH FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND
Washington State (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) returns to Martin Stadium to host Utah (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12) on homecoming weekend. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.

SERIES HISTORY
Washington State leads the all-time series with Utah 8-7 after claiming a 33-25 victory in Salt Lake City last season. The Cougars have won the last three meetings with Utah who will be making their first trip to Pullman since 2013, a 49-37 WSU win. 

COLLEGE GAMEDAY RECORD
Dating back to the beginning of the 2004 season, ESPN's College GameDay has had the WSU flag appear throughout the show. The streak reached 213 after the appearance at last week's Stanford-Oregon game in Eugene. Two flags – Ol' Crimson and Gray – have been flown in the background of the GameDay set by dozens of friends and alumni. The Gray flag was added in 2014 after Whitey was retired in honor of Steve Gleason's "No White Flags." WSU recognized the GameDay flag wavers in a pregame ceremony prior to the Montana State game in 2010. In addition to the flags that fly, there is a traveling flag signed by the holders after each episode. The traveling flag is retired after each season, the first of which is hanging in WSU's Alumni Center.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State enters the week 3-1 after dropping a 39-36 contest to open Pac-12 Conference play at USC last Friday. The Cougars own the nation's second-rated passing attack (401.8 ypg) and the seventh-ranked defense in the country (265.8 ypg) who have posted three shutouts in the past 17 games. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II is second in the country in passing (386.8) and second in Pac-12 in touchdown passes (11). WSU returned 40 letterwinners from a 2017 team that went 9-4 for the second time in the last three seasons and made their third straight bowl appearance for the first time since 2001-03. 

WSU CONTINUES WORK PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Following the tragic suicide of Washington State University student-athlete Tyler Hilinski last January, the university embarked on a number of activities to raise awareness of suicide prevention on campus. WSU's goal is to properly pay tribute to Tyler's memory while destigmatizing mental health concerns and delivering a strong message of hope and healing. As part of this commitment, four new initiatives were launched on campus last semester. These included:
    • A second formal mental health screening for all members of the football team following the death of Tyler, along with meetings with all varsity athletes to help identify individuals who might be at risk for mental health issues. 
    • Adding a full-time clinical psychologist to the Athletic Department health and wellness area.
    • Providing free access to Mental Health First Aid, a proactive intervention training, for the entire WSU student body,
    • Active engagement with the JED Foundation to identify any changes that might be needed in the care of our students. 
In addition to the immediate steps the university undertook during the last academic year, WSU students embraced the cause as well. The Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) launched the Cougar Health Fund, a student-driven endowment that sponsors mental health awareness and related initiatives on the WSU Pullman campus. In the spring, ASWSU hosted the Cougar Courage 5K run to help raise money for the endowment. By the end of April, the group had already raised $50,000.
 
WSU COMMITTED TO ADDITIONAL STEPS IN 2018-19
These include:
    • Inviting the Hilinski family to raise the Cougar flag at the September 8, 2018 home opener against San Jose State University to start the 2018 football season. (The National Alliance on Mental Illness has designated September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10 is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day).
    • The football team will remember Tyler by displaying a decal on the back of their game day helmets this year and will maintain Tyler's locker as a "Locker of Hope" throughout the 2018 season.
    • The university is adding a highlight from Tyler's playing career to the "Way Back Home" video, which will be shown at every home game throughout the 2018 football season. A public service announcement addressing mental health awareness and suicide prevention will also be played at home football games this year.
    • A Hilinski's Hope Foundation flag will be displayed inside the stadium for the 2018 season.
    •  Plans are underway for a new multi-day event, Game Day for Mental Health, in April 2019 to coincide with the Crimson and Gray Spring Football Game on April 20. The Athletics Department will be returning the spring football game to Martin Stadium this year and, in coordination with Student Affairs, will create a series of activities around the preseason scrimmage.
    • WSU will host a series of lectures during the 2018-2019 academic year that will be focused in the mental health arena. These lectures will be open to the entire university community, and began earlier this month with former WSU student-athlete Collin Henderson, as well as Dr. Derek Greenfield discussing inclusive excellence and positive change.
    • The university will develop a permanent Walk of Hope on the Pullman campus. This memorial will offer messages of hope and provide resource information for those in need of mental health support.
    • WSU Athletics will release a public service announcement to kickoff Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, featuring student-athletes from all WSU athletic programs.
    • WSU Athletics, in partnership with Hilinski's Hope, is also joining with national experts in developing an innovative peer-to-peer mental health awareness program, beginning this September.

COUGAR QUICK GAME
TEAM
•  WSU has seen 24 players make their debut and 11 players make their first career start in 2018
•  WSU owns 19 Pac-12 wins in the last three seasons, 4th-most in the Pac-12 (Stanford - 23, USC - 22, UW - 21)
•  WSU is the only Pac-12 team with four shutouts in the last six seasons (Stanford and Washington with 2)
•  WSU has won 9 straight home games, the longest streak since also winning 9 straight form 1941-46
•  WSU running backs have rushed for 9 TD through 4 games after rushing for 8 TD all of last season

INDIVIDUAL
•  Mike Leach owns 41 wins at WSU, 4th-most in program history
•  Under Leach, WSU has recorded 11 fourth-quarter comebacks in his six seasons
•  RB James Williams led all FBS running backs with 71 receptions in 2017, good for 3rd among all Pac-12 players
•  Williams is 2nd in WSU history for catches by a running back with 144, Keith Harrington is 10th with 52 rec
•  Williams has rushed for 5 TD in 2018, second-most in the Pac-12, is tied for 5th in country with 7 total TD
•  WR Tay Martin has 3 career multiple-TD games (at Arizona, vs. Michigan State, San Jose State)
•  KR Travell Harris' 100-yard kick return for a TD against Eastern Washington was WSU's first since 2016
•  QB Gardner Minshew II entered the week leading country in passing (386.8), 10th in touchdowns (11)
•  LB Peyton Pelluer has played in 45 career games, trails Gabe Marks (WR) and Daniel Ekuale (DL) record of 51
•  P Oscar Draguicevich III entered the week fifth in the country in net punting (47.8

MIKE LEACH AMONG NATION'S BEST
Head coach Mike Leach is in his 17th season as a head coach and owns a 125-82 career record including a 41-39 mark at WSU, now in his seventh season in Pullman, the fourth-most wins by a Cougar head coach. Leach is the first coach in school history to lead WSU to three bowl games in his first five seasons and joined Mike Price as the only Cougar head coaches to take WSU to three straight bowl games. Leach, the 2015 Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year and a George Munger Coach of the Year semifinalist the past two seasons, has seen the Cougar Air Raid lead the Pac-12 in passing in five of his six seasons, only finishing second behind Cal and Jared Goff in 2013. 

FRIENDLY CONFINES OF MARTIN STADIUM
Washington State has claimed nine straight victories at Martin Stadium, the longest home winning streak since winning nine straight home games from 1941 to 1946, with the 1943-44 seasons cancelled due to WWII. The longest home winning streak is 19 games that started in 1928 and ended with a tie in 1933 while the longest home unbeaten streak is 33 games that ran 1926-35. Last season, WSU went 7-0 at home, the most home wins in program history and was the first perfect home mark since going 6-0 in 2003. WSU's season-opening five-game homestand was a first in program history, sweeping all five contests. The Cougars host seven games at Martin Stadium again this season.

YOUNG COUGS TAKE THE FIELD 
Through the first four games, WSU has seen 24 players make their debuts and 12 make their first career start. Six players made their first career starts on offense at Wyoming; Easop Winston Jr. (Z), Travell Harris (H), Liam Ryan (LG), Josh Watson (RG), Abraham Lucas (RT), Gardner Minshew II (QB) and four made third first career start on defense; Nick Begg (DT), Taylor Comfort (NT), Dominick Silvels (RUSH), Skyler Thomas (FS). Against Eastern Washington, Max Borghi (RB) made his first career start and last week, Willie Taylor III (RUSH) made his first career start. Last season, 28 players made their debuts including 19 freshmen. 

HARRIS, MINSHEW II NAMED PAC-12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Kick returner Travell Harris and quarterback Gardner Minshew II each earned Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week accolades after the win over Eastern Washington. Harris was named the Special Teams Player of the Week and Minshew was named the Offensive Player of the Week. Harris, a redshirt-freshman, had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the win over Eastern Washington. The Tampa, Fla. native averaged 41.5 yards-per-return and also recorded a tackle on kickoff coverage. Harris recorded WSU's first kick return for a touchdown since Robert Taylor had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Arizona State in 2016. Minshew II, a senior graduate transfer from East Carolina, completed 45-of-57 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns in the 59-24 victory over Eastern Washington. The Brandon, Miss. native led WSU to a 3-0 start for the second straight season and became the first Cougar quarterback to win his first three starts since Steven Birnbaum did so to start the 1998 season. 

IMPRESSIVE DEBUTS
A couple newcomers produced some impressive numbers in the season-opener at Wyoming. Graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew II threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns; freshman running back Max Borghi scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving; wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. caught three passes including a seven-yard touchdown; punter Oscar Draguicevich III averaged over 51 yards-per-kick on three punts including one for 60 yards; kicker Blake Mazza connected on both field goal attempts from 24 and 41 yards while hitting all five extra points; RUSH linebacker Willie Taylor III forced a fumble on a sack; RUSH starting linebacker Dominick Silvels made a pair of tackles-for-loss including a sack in his first career start; strong safety Skyler Thomas led the team with nine tackles in his first career start. Against San Jose State, junior defensive lineman Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei tallied a sack in his first game as a Cougar.

RECORD BOOK WATCH
A couple Cougars are closing in on putting their names in the Washington State record book.
- Mike Leach owns 41 wins at WSU, 4th-most in WSU history, 4 away from passing Jim Walden for 3rd place
- James Williams owns 144 receptions, 2nd-most by a WSU running back, 20 away from moving into WSU Top-10
- Williams owns 18 career total touchdowns, 3 away from moving into WSU Top-10 for career touchdowns
- Keith Harrington owns 52 career receptions, 10th-most by a WSU running back
- Peyton Pelluer has played in 45 games, Gabe Marks (WR) and Daniel Ekuale (DL) own WSU record with 51 GP
- Pelluer owns 280 career tackles, 25 away from moving into WSU Top-10 for career tackles
- Pelluer owns 26.5 career TFL, 4.5 away from moving into WSU Top-10 for career TFL

MINSHEW II MAKING MOVES (Game-by-Game Page 28)
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II has produced some impressive numbers in his first season with the Cougars. Minshew II was the first Cougar quarterback to win his first three starts since Steve Birnbaum opened the 1998 season with three straight victories. Minshew entered the week second the nation in passing yards per game (386.8) and second in the conference in touchdown passes (11. The East Carolina graduate transfer has also rushed for a touchdown and completed 71.0 percent of his passes, second among all Pac-12 quarterbacks. Minshew's 45 completions against Eastern Washington are the most completions by any FBS quarterback this year.

PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS NOTES
Each week ProFootballFocus.com will produce a statistical breakdown of each team and position. Below are few notable Cougars and where they rank entering the week:
WSU - ranked 27th in the country in overall team grade
WSU - leads the Pac-12 in pass block grade (19.9), good for 4th nationally
Andre Dillard (LT) - 2nd overall among tackles in the country, 1st in pass blocking, tied for 1st in screen blocking
Travell Harris (WR) - 3rd-best blocking wide receiver in the Pac-12
Abraham Lucas (RT) - 10th among all tackles in pass blocking, tied for 3rd in screen blocking
Tay Martin (WR) - 5th in the Pac-12 in yards after catch (141), has played most snaps among all Pac-12 WR (300)
Gardner Minshew II (QB) - 4th in overall quarterback passing grade in the country 
Darrien Molton (CB) - 6th in overall CB grade in the Pac-12, 
Nnamdi Oguayo (DE) - tied for 4th overall DE grade in Pac-12, 2nd among Pac-12 DE with 6 QB hurries
Peyton Pelluer (LB) - tied for 2nd LB in Pac-12 with 5 QB hurries, 
Liam Ryan (LG) - Ranked top guard in the country in screen blocking, tied for 5th in pass blocking
Logan Tago (DE) - tied for 4th overall DE grade in Pac-12, 3rd among Pac-12 DE with 5 QB hurries
Willie Taylor III (RUSH) - 3rd overall OLB grade and OLB pass rusher in Pac-12
James Williams (RB) - Ranked top RB in overall passing and rushing grade in the Pac-12, most missed tackles (9)
Williams - Ranked top RB in passing game, leads country with 25 catches by RB, 1st RB with 208 yds after catch

COUGAR WEEKLY TEAM AWARDS
Following a win, the Cougars will name award winners for select groups:
BONE AWARD - given to the offensive lineman of the week
at WYO - Liam Ryan (LG), graded out the best, WSU had 57 pass attempts, 2 rushing TD, zero sacks allowed
SJSU - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 54 pass attempts, zero sacks allowed
EWU - Fred Mauigoa (C), graded out the best, 65 pass attempts, 524 passing yards, 4 rushing TD
at USC - None

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - selected by coaches as top defensive performer
at WYO - Marcus Strong (CB), tallied two tackles, one pass breakup, interception was lone WSU takeaway
SJSU - Jalen Thomson (S), tallied 4 tackles, one for loss, had one pass breakup, shutout
EWU - Jahad Woods (LB), tallied 5 tackles, INT, shared a sack, 1 PBU
at USC - None

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - selected by coach Matt Brock as the top special teams contributor
at WYO - Dillon Sherman (LB), contributed on all special teams, graded out best on play assignments
SJSU - Kyle Sweet (PR), averaged 12.2 yards-per-punt return including long of 26
EWU - Travell Harris (KR), 100-yard kickoff return for TD, also made a tackle on kickoff coverage
at USC - None

SPREADING THE BALL AROUND
Washington State saw nine players catch a pass at Wyoming and at USC while 10 caught a pass against San Jose State and 12 more had a catch against Eastern Washington. Last season WSU averaged a national-best 9.6 receivers catch a pass per game, according to an unofficial survey from sports information directors, and tied for national lead (New Mexico State) with eight players with 25+ catches. The 2016 season saw 10+ players catch a pass in 11 of the 13 games, highlighted by the 14 against Arizona, the most under Mike Leach at WSU. Also in 2016, the Cougars were the only team in the country with five players owning 40+ catches. In 2015, WSU was the only team in the country with 10 players with 20+ receptions and was the only Power-5 Conference team with two players owning double-digit touchdown receptions (Gabe Marks and Dom Williams). 

AIR RAID NUMBERS CONTINUE TO ADD UP
Last season, Washington State produced the nation's second-best passing attack (366.8) and opened the season with 30+ points in six straight games for the first time since the 2001 team reached that mark seven times. In 2016, WSU finished third in the country in passing offense (362.5) and set a program single-season records for the most touchdowns scored (67) and points (496). The WSU passing attack led the country in 2015 (389.5) and 2014 (477.7), was fourth in 2013 (368.4) and was eighth in 2012 (330.4).

ALL-PURPOSE, ALL THE TIME
The Cougar running backs serve all-purpose roles for the Air Raid. In each of the last two seasons, the Cougar backs have combined to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. Last season, James Williams led the Cougars with 71 receptions, also the most by any FBS running back in the country. In week one at Wyoming, the backs combined for 18 receptions, 101 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Against Eastern Washington, the backs combined for 10 receptions and four rushing touchdowns including three from James Williams, the first Cougar with three rushing touchdowns since 2012. Last week at USC, Williams, Max Borghi and Keith Harrington combined for two rushing touchdowns and 12 receptions. Williams entered the week tied for fifth in the country with seven total touchdowns while Borghi is tied for sixth in the Pac-12 with four total touchdowns. As a group, the Cougar running backs are tied for third in the Pac-12 with nine rushing touchdowns after rushing for just eight a season ago.

NEW-LOOK OFFENSIVE LINE
The Cougar offensive line features a couple new faces in 2018. Gone is four-year starting right tackle Cole Madison, drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers, two-time All-American left guard Cody O'Connell graduated as well as right guard B.J. Salmonson who played in 44 games. Two-year starter and 2017 All-Pac-12 HM left tackle Andre Dillard returns for his redshirt-senior season along with junior center Fred Mauigoa who started all 13 games last season and was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List prior to the 2018 season. Redshirt-sophomores Liam Ryan and Josh Watson started at left guard and right guard, respectively, the first four games. Redshirt-freshman Abraham Lucas made his collegiate debut and started at right tackle. 

NEW OFFENSIVE LINE SETTLES IN
Despite adding three new starters, the offensive line has not missed a beat in the first four weeks of 2018. WSU has produced the nation's second-best passing attack and has allowed just three sacks this season on 228 pass attempts while also blocking for nine rushing touchdowns, tied for third-most in the Pac-12.

COUGAR DEFENSE OFF TO GOOD START
The Speed D has produced some low numbers in the first four games, and that's a good thing. The WSU defense opened 2018 by holding Wyoming to just 206 yards of total offense and tallied eight tackles-for-loss including three sacks and one interception. Against San Jose State, the Cougars posted their third shutout in the last two seasons and held the Spartans to 109 yards of total offense. Against Eastern Washington, WSU limited  the nation's top FCS passing attack to just 14 completions and intercepted three passes. Last week at USC, the Cougars held the Trojans to just 33 rushing yards after the game's opening drive.
WSU Speed D entered the week:
- tied for 1st in the country 4th-down defense (0-1)
- 7th in the country in total defense (265.8)
- 16th in the country in rush defense (102.2)
- 18th in the country in passing defense (163.5)
- tied for 22nd in the country in sacks (10), 4th in the Pac-12

SPEED D STRIKES AGAIN
The Washington State defense added another impressive game to its file with a shutout of San Jose State week two. It was the third shutout in the last two seasons (2017 - Montana State, Colorado) and fourth under Mike Leach (2013 - Idaho). The Speed D limited SJSU to just 109 yards of total offense, the fourth-fewest yards allowed in program history and fewest allowed since 1994, holding Oregon to 97 yards in a 21-7 Cougar win. WSU also held SJSU to nine rushing yards, tallied eight tackles-for-loss including five sacks and picked off one pass. 

NEW FACES MAKE MARK FOR SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cougar special teams have seen some new faces produce in the first four games. Kicker Blake Mazza has connected on five of seven field goal attempts including a long of 50 last week at USC, the longest by any Pac-12 kicker in 2018. New punter Oscar Draguicevich III has already produced five punts of 50+ and put three inside the 20 while averaging 47.8 yards per punt, good for fifth in the country. Kyle Sweet has averaged 7.2 yards-per-punt return, good four fifth in the Pac-12, and produced a 26-yard return against San Jose State and an 18-yarder against Eastern Washington.
WSU special teams entered the week:
- 1st in the country in net punting (45.6), punter Oscar Draguicevich III is 5th in the country in punting (47.8)
- 2nd in the Pac-12 in punt coverage, allowing 2.3 yards-per-return
- 6th in the country in kickoff return, averaging 31.5 yards-per-return, Travell Harris is 7th in the country (31.5)
- Kicker Blake Mazza is 15th in the country in points by kickers (35), most among all Pac-12 kickers

THOMPSON NAMED TO BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST
Junior safety Jalen Thompson was named to the 2018 Bednarik Award Watch List, presented annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year. Thompson was one of nine Pac-12 Conference players named to watch list. Thompson was an All-Pac-12 second-team selection last season after leading the Cougars with 73 tackles and tied for fourth in the Pac-12 with four interceptions. 

MAUIGOA NAMED TO RIMINGTON TROPHY WATCH LIST, POLYNESIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Junior center Frederick Mauigoa was named to a pair of watch lists over prior to the season, the Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List, presented annually to the most outstanding center in Division I College Football and the Polynesian Player of the Year. Mauigoa was one of 58 centers named to the Rimington Trophy list and is one of 10 from the Pac-12. Riley Sorenson was named to the same watch list prior to the 2016 season. Mauigoa started all 13 games at center last season, anchoring the line that blocked for the nation's second-best passing attack.

SIX FORMER WALK-ONS EARN SCHOLARSHIPS
This past summer, the Cougars awarded scholarships to six former walk-ons. (stats prior to 2018) 
Brandon Arconado (WR, RS-Jr.)    11 GP, 4 REC, 1 TD, Pac-12 All-Academic 2nd Team
Tristan Brock (LB, RS-Jr.)    24 GP, Played special teams, 2x Pac-12 All-Academic HM
Kyle Celli (LS, RS-Sr.)    13 starts in 2017, Pac-12 All-Academic HM
Taylor Comfort (DL, RS-Sr.)    13 GP, mostly on special teams, graduated this past summer - Criminal Justice
Dillon Sherman (LB, RS-So.    13 GP, 23 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
Trey Tinsley (QB, RS-Jr.)    13 GP, holder on FG all 2017 season, Pac-12 All-Academic HM

17 COUGS EARN DEGREES
All 17 members of the 2018 senior class will earn their degree by Summer, 2019. Six players already own bachelor's degrees (Nick Begg, Taylor Comfort, Andre Dillard, Robert Lewis, Gardner Minshew II, Peyton Pelluer) with two, Minshew II and Pelluer pursuing master's degrees. Five more players will complete their degree this fall, four more will finish in the spring and two more will finish next summer. All 19 members of last year's 2017 senior class will have earned their degree by the end of the current fall, 2018 semester.

WELCOME BACK LEWIS, PELLUER
The Cougars welcome back a couple of major contributors for a sixth season. Senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer (254 career tackles) and senior wide receiver Robert Lewis (117 career receptions) were both granted a sixth-year by the NCAA during the offseason. Lewis missed all of 2017 after suffering a knee injury prior to the season and Pelluer played in the first three games before a foot injury ended his 2017 campaign. Both have earned their bachelor's degrees with Lewis working towards another political science major and Pelluer working on his second year pursing a master's in teaching.

POLYNESIAN PIPELINE
The Washington State roster has seen an influx in Polynesian players since Mike Leach and his coaching staff arrived in 2012. The 2018 roster has 10 players who are of Polynesian decent including five from Hawaii, two from American Samoa and one from Australia. 

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Last season, four Cougars shared a unique bond with their dads and/or grandpa who also had worn the crimson a gray. The 2018 roster features  three Cougs who's dad's also played at WSU. Left tackle Andre Dillard's dad, Mitch was an offensive lineman and tight end for the Cougars in the late 1980's; linebacker Peyton Pelluer's dad, Scott also played linebacker for the Cougs, matching Peyton's No. 47 from 1977-80; Peyton's grandpa, Arnie played end for WSU in the mid 1950's and his great grandpa, Carl Gustafson, played flanker in the 1920's; and  quarterback John Bledsoe's dad, Drew Bledsoe played at WSU from 1990-92, was the No. 1 overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL Draft and played 14 seasons.

WSU ADDS PAIR FROM "LAST CHANCE U" 
Washington State signed a pair of players from Independence Community College who was featured on the latest season of "Last Chance U" on Netflix. Junior wideout Calvin Jackson Jr. played two seasons at ICC, leading the team with four touchdown catches last season before signing with the Cougars in February whole sophomore safety Chad Davis Jr. played just one season, recording 15 tackles and three pass breakups at ICC before signing with WSU this past spring.

COACHING STAFF CHANGES
The 2018 Cougar coaching staff features four new faces and three familiar faces who moved to different roles. Former Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys arrives to serve as the defensive coordinator, Matt Brock arrives from Bowling Green to serve as the Special Teams coach and outside linebackers coach, Darcel McBrath assumes a full-time assistant position working with the cornerbacks after spending last season as a defensive quality control, Eric Mele worked the previous two and half seasons as the Cougars special teams coach but as moved to coach the Cougar running backs in 2018, Kendrick Shaver arrives from Utah State to coach the safeties, former Western Kentucky assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Steve Spurrier Jr. arrived to coach the Cougar outside receivers and Tyson Brown returns as the head strength and conditioning coach after a brief stint at Elon College. Brown had served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Cougars the previous four seasons.

COUGAR FOOTBALL BROADCAST TEAM
Hall of fame announcer Bob Robertson is in his 52nd season calling Cougar football games, and according to a nation-wide survey of sports information directors, is the longest tenured radio announcer in the country. Robertson began calling WSU games in 1964 and with the exception of a three-year period in 1969-71, has been calling Cougar games ever since. Robertson now hosts the Cougars pre, halftime and postgame shows, while also providing analysis during the games. Matt Chazanow is in his fourth season as the play-by-play voice for Cougar football, men's basketball and baseball broadcasts. Joining Chazanow and Robertson in the booth for his first season will be former Cougar quarterback Alex Brink who is the only WSU quarterback to win three Apple Cups and was later a seventh-round draft pick by the Houston Texans. Returning for her seventh season as the sideline reporter is Jessamyn McIntyre, an executive producer for 710 ESPN Seattle.  

PATRICK CHUN NAMED DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz selected Patrick Chun as the WSU Director of Athletics, it was announced Jan. 22, 2018. Chun is the 14th individul to lead Cougar athletics in school history and began his duties Feb. 5. "This is a game-changing day for our athletics program," said WSU President Kirk Schulz. "We were focused on finding a leader with the right blend of experience, vision, and passion to lead Cougar athletics to the next level of success. In Pat, we're confident we found that person. His achievements in fundraising, boosting the academic success rate of student athletes, and building strong relationships with the community—on- and off-campus—are exemplary." Chun, 43, is the first Asian-American athletic director to lead a Power 5 school and continues President Schulz' drive to diversify his senior leadership team. He has spent the past five and a half years leading Florida Atlantic University athletics and the previous 15 years at Ohio State University in a multitude of roles from 1997 through 2012, culminating as the executive associate athletics director. 

JASON HANSON NAMED TO CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA HALL OF FAME
Jason Hanson was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame this past summer. Hanson became the first student-athlete in school history to receive this honor, entering the hall of fame along with Tennessee football player Peyton Manning, Florida International baseball player Mike Lowell and San Jose State basketball and track and field athlete Dr. Harry Edwards. Hanson, a pre-med major, was a three-time Academic All-American during his four years in Pullman (1988-91) and concluded his senior season by being named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, one of only five in WSU history to receive the honor. The Spokane, Wash. native, Hanson was an All-American kicker and punter for the Cougars, earning Freshman All-America honors as a kicker in 1988 and later became WSU's first unanimous first team All-American as a sophomore in 1989. As a junior, he was named All-Pac-10 as both a punter and kicker and earned All-American honors as a punter that season. As a senior in 1991, he was named an All-American at both punter and kicker. Hanson finished his WSU career with 19 field goals of 50+ yards including a Pac-10 record 62-yarder, the longest without use of a tee in NCAA Division I history. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft and played 21 seasons with the Lions, earning Pro Bowl honors twice, second team All-Pro honors in 1997 and was a first team All-Pro selection in 1993. Upon his retirement, Hanson held the NFL record for career 50-yard kicks (52) and was inducted into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Lions Ring of Honor in 2013.

STEVE GLEASON RECRUIT SUITE IN COUGAR FOOTBALL COMPLEX
In fall, 2016, WSU announced the naming of the Steve Gleason Recruit Suite, inside the Cougar Football Complex. Gleason, the Washington State Athletic Hall of Famer who played football and baseball in a Cougar uniform from 1995-99, was on hand as the room all future Cougar football players will walk through was named in his honor. The opportunity arrived courtesy of Cougar alumnus Glenn Osterhout's naming donation of $250,000. With his pledge, Osterhout, a 1983 graduate who is a certified financial planner in Bellevue, was presented the opportunity to name the recruiting room inside the Cougar Football Complex.