Leach moves quickly on offensive staff

PULLMAN – Mike Leach is filling his Washington State football staff slowly – or quickly, depending on what side of the ball is being referenced.

Leach, who will fill the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has enticed a few of his former Texas Tech offensive assistants to Pullman.

Although WSU has yet to announce any hires, numerous published reports have five on board, four of whom have connections to Leach with the Red Raiders.

They include, with their expected position on the WSU staff:

• Dennis Simmons, outside receivers.

• Eric Morris, inside receivers.

• Clay McGuire, offensive line.

• Eric Russell, special teams.

• Jim Mastro, running backs.

The top three all worked at East Carolina under former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill. The Pirates also lost Antonio Huffman, a former Texas Tech player who is expected to work in football operations for WSU.

Russell, who recently resigned at Tennessee to rejoin Leach, grew up in St. Maries and attended Spokane Falls Community College and the University of Idaho before coaching in Texas and Louisiana.

Mastro coached at the University of Idaho for two years in the late 1990s but had his most success at Nevada with the pistol offense. He joined UCLA this season as tight ends coach.

Although the offensive staff seems to be in place, the defensive side has not been mentioned and no coaches have been hired, according to sources within the athletic department.

Staff members for former coach Paul Wulff were told last week they would not be retained.