Cougars make own list

PULLMAN – In all the sound and fury revolving around the search for a new Washington State football coach, there are some key voices that haven’t been heard.

The voices belong to the football players themselves.

They are the ones who will deal with the new coach, the new staff, the new outlook, the new everything.

So what do they want in a new coach?

“I just want someone with pride and passion, and wants to win as much as we do,” said linebacker Greg Trent, the only 2007 captain who will return next season.

“For me, the big thing has to do with tradition,” said guard Dan Rowlands, who will be a fifth-year senior next year. “It would be cool to have a guy who has been here before, who has prior ties to the school and knows Pullman and the Palouse.

“For the guys who have been here four or five years, it will be tough to start from scratch.”

But Rowlands knows that might be the case. If it is, he hopes the new coach has one attribute.

“It would be nice for it to be someone who is intense, who demands effort,” he said. “Someone like (offensive line) Coach (George) Yarno.”

Rowlands knows there is little chance Yarno would be the head coach.

“I’m hoping whoever it is, they’ll interview coach Yarno and want to keep him,” Rowland said. “I’m sure (athletic director Jim) Sterk will get someone good. I know he’s working hard.”

Linebacker Andy Mattingly, who earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors in his sophomore season, doesn’t want to see radical change.

“Personally, I wish they would get someone just like (former) Coach (Bill) Doba,” the Mead High graduate said. “A player’s coach who teaches you a lot but also makes it fun. If you’re having fun, it builds your confidence. I had a lot of fun this year and I know other guys did as well. When it’s fun, you play looser and better because you’re not afraid to make mistakes.

“I don’t want to be (treated like) a piece of livestock.”

There are other players with opinions, although the graduating seniors, who will be feted at a farewell banquet Saturday night, know their opinion isn’t all that relevant anymore.

Still, they have their definite thoughts.

“Pride,” said tight end Jed Collins, when asked what’s most important for the new coach to have. “This school’s founded on Cougar pride and whoever comes in has to believe in us and that pride. The new coach has to believe in WSU and the Cougars.”

An understanding of WSU and its environs is important, according to outgoing quarterback Alex Brink.

“You have to have a guy with experience in areas like this,” Brink said. “It’s tough to recruit here, so you need someone who knows the area and how to deal with it.

“They have to be able to work with the alumni, as well – to raise the money needed to improve the facilities.”

Brink also sees another need.

“The guy has to be someone who can bring in a staff that can relate to the guys already here, because they’re not going to have much time to recruit. They’ll have to work with the guys already here.”

Defensive lineman Matt Mullennix thinks the best template is still on campus.

“Someone like Bill Doba,” the senior said. “We all loved him and we’re sorry to see him go.

“(They need) just someone who will treat the young guys with the respect they deserve.”“

Trent, who will be a senior next season, does have one wish.

“I just want it to get done,” he said, “so I can go home.”