COUGARS

In one of the worst kept secrets around Pullman for a while, Steve Morton has agreed to become Washington State's offensive line coach. Read on for our unedited story that will appear in tomorrow's S-R.

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• Here's the story ...

PULLMAN – Paul Wulff reached out to someone he knew.

The Washington State University football coach filled his 2010 staff by hiring former Cougar player and coach Steve Morton.

The hire re-teams Morton with one of his former players. Morton was his offensive line coach in 1986, Wulff's first season at WSU.

"Steve brings a tremendous amount of experience and a proven track record as a collegiate coach," Wulff said. "He is a great teacher, tactician, and recruiter and will be a tremendous asset not only on the offensive line, but for our entire program."

Like Wulff, the Chehalis, Wash., native also played center for the Cougars, though in 1973 and 1974.

Morton started his 35 years as a college coach at WSU, working for nine years under coach Jim Walden. Since leaving Pullman, he's coached at Iowa State, Washington, USC, Nevada, Stanford and most recently at San Jose State, where he was the offensive coordinator and line coach the past four years.

Morton replaces Harold Etheridge, whose contract, set to expire on March 31, was not renewed.

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• That's it for now. We'll be back in the morning with our usual post. Until then ...

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