Tough to win in Pullman

To all the whiny, second-guessing complainers about Cougars football (and its coaching staff) – get real, and get over it. It’s a talent problem (look at this year’s defense, look at the depth chart). It’s a recruiting problem (we rarely get the cream of the crop). The blame lies with Pullman geography and climate, and not with the coaches. We’ve got great coaches. It’s amazing what they do with the talent they’ve got. Imagine how much better the coaching would be with the recruiting magnetism of warm weather, an ocean nearby, or a grand exciting city. (Our most likeable but worst-record coach ever, Jim Sweeney, was a great success in California.)

Even so, we get wonderful kids – kids with a lot of pride and heart. And every once in a while enough talent comes with them to work a miracle in Pullman – to go to a Rose Bowl, to humble Texas.

So, given Pullman’s disadvantages, Cougar football will have its ups and downs. The downs are painful, but loyal and knowledgeable fans understand and hang in there. The ups are incredible – especially for the kids and the coaches who occasionally win big and realize what it takes to accomplish the impossible in Pullman.

Steve McNutt

Spokane