"New" is the buzzword at Washington State this spring as the Cougars undergo their first massive change in philosophy in more than 20 years.
Paul Wulff was hired away from Eastern Washington last December to replace Bill Doba, bringing with him the first major change in the Cougar offense since Dennis Erickson brought the spread passing attack to Pullman in 1987 (an offense kept by successors Mike Price and Doba).
"We need to teach scheme and teach technique," said Wulff, who plans to implement a wide-open no-huddle attack that will place a premium on quick decision-making by the quarterback.
And the defense will return to a 4-3 look, after Doba installed a 3-4 scheme midway through last season.
"We have new coaches and players trying to get better and learn the system," Wulff said.
The Cougars finished 5-7 under Doba, who resigned under pressure at the end of the season. It was capped by a 42-35 last-minute win at rival Washington.
The Cougars return 14 starters but lost a number of key players, notably QB Alex Brink, who left holding just about every career passing record. So expectations will not be great for next season with the Cougars likely to be picked last in most preseason polls due to the uncertainty of a new coach, quarterback and system.
"It is going to take us a couple of years to get a great feel of exactly where we are," Wulff admitted before spring practice.
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How will the Cougars new offense fare? Has anyone had a chance to see this no huddle offense run either at Eastern Washington or bend down to see any of the scrimmage. I for 1 am excited to see a change in the whole offense of philosophy. I am looking forward to a bumpy road but also the possibility of an exciting one.
So here it is, what do you think the cougs record is going to be in 2008. Since I only have 8 spaces for an answer and this is on the cougs page I am going to list high projections. Good Luck Cougs in 2008!!!!!
May 3rd, 2008 on the Gator Football homepage will be the first annual fan smack-off. Fans from all over CBSSportsline.com are invited to join a special thread being set-up which will be titled "Smack-off" to talk your best smack at your bitterest rival. Auburn v. Alabama, Michigan v. OSU, USC v. UCLA, Kansas v. Missouri, we'll have it all. We are
Where are all the Cougs....Is this board dead...Lets get behind our team in hoops....Great win for the cougs last night....could have been a disasterous road trip for the cougs...Looks like we have problems against teams with a quick point guard that can penetrate....Can't really keep them out of the lane...which opens up the three like in the Arizona game where we got killed by the 3's and at the
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I'm a huge Beaver fan, but I've got to give it to you guys. Not a winning record, but 5 wins, not bad. I wish you guys wouldn't have missed out on a bowl game. Even despite your record, you could still win a bowl game. Winning 4 of the last 5 games is a good, strong finish. Also a win at the Apple Cup in a wild finish, I call that a successful season. Did Doba get fired or is he sti
