The day after Washington State's season ended with a 31-13 Apple Cup loss, Mike Leach dismissed defensive coordinator Mike Breske and outside linebackers coach Paul Volero.

"We decided to make a change and wish them the best," Leach said.

More on WSU's coaching change after the jump.
…

(Update 7:12 p.m. -- I have been told that defensive line coach Joe Salave'a has been promoted to assistant head coach.)

The Cougars lost some shootouts in 2014, most notably a 60-59 loss to California at home in which the Golden Bears scored touchdowns on all seven drives in the second half.

Leach often remarked on the team's youth in the secondary as a reason for the team's defensive struggles, but after the season-opening 41-38 loss to Rutgers he said he felt WSU's defensive scheme was too "vanilla."

The Cougars finished No. 10 in the conference in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing 38.6 points and 442.2 yards per game. Breske came to WSU in 2012 from Montana where he served as the defensive coordinator. His defenses were known for producing takeaways and during his first year at WSU the Cougars intercepted 15 passes, the most by a WSU defense since 2006.

Last year the Cougars were No. 2 in the conference in takeaways with 30. But this season the Cougars were unable to force turnovers and finished with just three interceptions and five fumbles recovered by the defense.

Volero was another member of Leach's original staff at WSU. He previously coached high school football in Key West, where he established a rapport with Leach.

Of the original nine members of Leach's coaching staff only four are still with the Cougars. Special teams coordinator Eric Russell was fired earlier this season while Jeff Choate and Eric Morris left for other positions.

---

---