Is Mike Leach looking to make more changes?

• There already have been some repercussions, of course. An unsatisfactory start to the year culminated in a 60-59 loss to California at home in early October. Despite Connor Halliday’s NCAA-record 734 passing yards, the Cougars lost when their special teams gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns and missed a 19-yard game-winning field goal in the waning seconds. The next day, head coach Mike Leach (pictured) axed special teams coordinator – and assistant head coach – Erik Russell, a long-time friend. (As an aside, that change hasn’t helped all that much as the Cougars have yielded punt returns for scores in their last two games.) Such is the price of unmet expectations. Now that Washington State is 2-7 and no longer in the bowl hunt during a season when a berth was expected, will more changes come? Could be. Leach may have given us all a clue yesterday on the Pac-12 coaches’ conference call. Here’s what he said about his defense, as quoted by the Times’ Bud Withers ( emphasis mine ):

” We need more of an identity on defense . I feel like defensively, we don’t entirely know who we are. From one series to the next, a different defense may show up. Some of that may exist with youth, where you’re bringing in young guys. Some of it’s, it doesn’t matter if you’re a young guy, play like you belong. Some of it is, we need to select better – what are we going to do, what are our core beliefs, what’s going to be kind of the signature things we run that we’re effective at.”

• I don’t know about you , but to me the highlighted sentences sound like a criticism of defensive coordinator Mike Breske. It is Breske, and the defensive staff, who has the responsibility of deciding “what are (the Cougars’) core beliefs.” If the head coach, the guy with the keys to the offices, doesn’t like what’s been decided, don’t you think he’s obligated to make a change, either by explicitly dictating what those core beliefs are going to be or, if met with resistance, then eliminating the folks who are resisting? If you remember, when Leach was hired in December of 2011, he indicated he wanted an aggressive, turnover-producing defensive scheme. That’s why he turned to Breske, who had developed just such a reputation at Montana, North Dakota State and Wyoming, among other stops. Last season, the Cougars forced 30 turnovers (including 16 interceptions), keeping them in some games and having a big hand in a couple upsets (most notably USC). But this season the defense has recovered only eight fumbles and has – this is not a typo – just two interceptions – one each from Charleston White and Tana Pritchard. That doesn’t fit the mold of an aggressive, turnover-producing defense, does it? Early in the season, when the Cougars had a chance to set the tone for the year, the defense seemed a little shell-shocked following an opening-play, 78-yard scoring pass by Rutgers. The aggressive, blitzing, attacking schemes we expected to see? They seemed to disappear, at least through the Nevada game. And the Cougars lost two games they expected to win. A successful season was already in trouble, if not doomed. The attack-mentality returned for Portland State but has come and gone as the season has slipped away, and the turnovers have never really materialized. Of course part of that is luck. Part of it is a secondary that includes more underclassmen than your typical Rush Week. And part of it, Leach seems to be saying, is due to the decision-making process. That process is in his hands. If he feels a change is needed, he’s the guy who, ultimately, must make it.

•••

• WSU: It’s Wednesday and Wednesday’s paper is always full of Cougar news. Jacob Thorpe has his Tuesday practice report here on the blog, of course, along with a news item a former Clemson receiver has transferred to Pullman. Jacob also has his Pac-12 notebook in the S-R as well game notes from the Cougars along with his morning post. … Oregon State is a bit leery of what Luke Falk brings to the table . … I found another Pac-12 notebook that includes a WSU note and I also want to pass along the quarterback rankings from ESPN.com’s Pac-12 blog (Halliday is included), as well as its first look at this weekend . … Oregon moved into the top four as ranked by the college football playoff committee.

• Gonzaga: With the season opener just round the corner, Jim Meehan has a piece on sophomore Ryan Edwards deciding to redshirt this season and working toward returning in 2015. … Jim also covers college volleyball and his notebook leads with the Zags’ best player and her improvement.

• EWU: It’s a big week in Cheney, what with the Grizzlies coming to town, an event that always fills Roos Field to overflowing. Which makes it perfect Jim Allen decided to update the Gateway Project, the long-awaited expansion of the facility. … Jim also covered the interesting aspects of yesterday’s practice, which included the return of Vernon Adams. … The Griz defense expects to be tested no matter who is at quarterback for EWU.

• Whitworth: The Pirates were able to earn a win on Senior Day. But, as Tom Clouse writes , it took a lot of help from some freshmen to make it happen.

• Preps: The Washington postseason is well underway, with Jim Allen covering a key 3A soccer playoff match. We also have a roundup of the volleyball action to pass along.

• Chiefs: Some of the teams who began the season slowly have started to turn it around. Chris Derrick looks at which ones in his weekly WHL notebook . … Everett’s fast start has seemed to be underappreciated by the rest of the league. … The Americans made some roster moves.

• Seahawks: The Hawks are at the halfway point of the season and, for the first time in a while, seem to have regained some of their swagger . Part of that is due to the return of some formerly injured players. … Up next are the Giants , who have been struggling. The numbers don’t lie . … After three days, Bryan Walters returned. That’s just part of the roster moves the Hawks made yesterday .

• Mariners: I sort of expected the M’s to win a Golden Glove yesterday. They did. It just was given to someone I didn’t expect. Instead of Robinson Cano being honored for his defensive abilities again, Kyle Seager beat out former M’s winner, Adrian Beltre, at third base. … No surprise here. Felix Hernandez is one of three Cy Young finalists in the American League. … The A’s lost a key front-office player.

•••

• We’re back on the radio this afternoon, filling in for Dennis Patchin with Rick Lukens and Keith Osso at 700 ESPN. You can listen here between 3 and 6 p.m. Until then …