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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Leaf starts coaching career in Texas


Leaf
 (The Spokesman-Review)
From wire reports The Spokesman-Review

CANYON, Texas – Ryan Leaf is back in football.

West Texas A&M football coach Don Carthel named the former Washington State and NFL quarterback as quarterbacks coach.

“Ryan brings a great deal of football experience and knowledge to our quarterbacks. We’re excited about him further developing our quarterbacks Dalton Bell and Keith Null,” Carthel said Tuesday.

Leaf passed for nearly 8,000 yards in his three-year career at Washington State. As a junior, he averaged 330.6 yards per game in leading the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931. He was a first-team All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

The San Diego Chargers picked up second overall in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Leaf spent five years in the NFL before retiring in 2002. His best statistical season was in 2000 with the Chargers, but his career was plagued by injuries and interceptions, along with off-the-field distractions.