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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Pac-12 review of WSU football program finds no abuse

COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- Here's a short story we just filed for web on the findings of the Pac-12's review of the Washington State  football program. You can read the full report here.

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The Pac-12 announced the findings of its nearly 2-month review of the Washington State football program on Tuesday, concluding that no evidence was found to suggest that coach Mike Leach or his assistants had engaged in player abuse.

The investigation was prompted after former receiver Marquess Wilson quit the team following a Nov. 4 workout, then alleged in a Nov. 10 letter to news media that the staff had abused the players physically, emotionally and verbally.

WSU’s internal review of the program exonerated Leach and his staff, buoyed by a text message Wilson sent to athletic director Bill Moos in which he softened his claims against the coaching staff.

The Pac-12’s review was contracted to Bond, Schoenek and King, a law firm located in Kansas City. The review included interviews with 20 players, coaches, parents and other athletic department staff.

In its review, the Pac-12 did recommend that the school establish a workout/conditioning policy to be approved by Moos for future use, and that the school should pay closer attention to an NCAA bylaw limiting the number of hours the team can practice each week. 



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