Cougars supporters backed coach Doba

In the months before Washington State football coach Bill Doba stepped down after a disappointing season, university president Elson S. Floyd’s e-mail wasn’t exactly brimming with threats or derision about the team, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.

From Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2007, Floyd received fewer than 20 e-mails about Doba, and only one writer dropped football season tickets, the AP learned in a public records request.

Several e-mails urged the WSU president and athletic director Jim Sterk to retain Doba. The majority were received, expressing sadness or dismay, after Doba was forced out.

Only three e-mails specifically urged Doba’s firing during the season.

Doba, 67, announced Nov. 26 he was stepping down “by mutual agreement” after five seasons as head coach and posting a 30-29 career record. WSU finished 5-7 last season and missed going to a bowl game for a fourth consecutive year.

University of Washington president Mark Emmert had a much different experience last fall.

Emmert received at least 100 e-mails threatening to withdraw or withhold financial support unless Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham or athletic director Todd Turner were fired. He even got an offer of $100,000 each for scholarships if he would sack the coach and athletic director.

The UW president told the Seattle Times he didn’t recall seeing that e-mail and doesn’t take seriously financial threats or offers based on personnel decisions.

Willingham remains the Huskies coach. Turner resigned on Jan. 31.