WSU Football: DC Mike Breske Rumors for Wyoming Candidacy and…
By Josh Davis
Sep 14, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive coordinator Mike Breske calls a play during the second quarter against the against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington State coaching staff hasn’t necessarily stayed in tact over the past couple of years. Of course after the 2012 season, linebackers coach Jeff Choate left to coordinate the defense for UTEP and inside wide receivers coach Eric Morris moved to Texas Tech to do some coordinating of his own on the offensive side.
As the Cougs become more popular here at WSU, don’t expect the coaching pieces to stay in tact for long. Mike Leach has a track record of making coaches a promise; come coach for me and help us get better for a bit, then I’ll help you get to where you want to be. The defensive coordinator might be the first to go after 2013’s bowl game (if indeed there is to be one for the Cougars).
Over the weekend Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman fired Dave Christensen and staff, leaving the door open for a possible Breske return to the place where he made defense the Cowboys’ calling card and kinda put them back on the national map.
Breske’s defense is perfect for a team like Wyoming and in theory the fans would welcome him back with open arms as the returning “savior”. He’s the type of hard-nosed guy that seems to work well in places like that. For more on his connection to Wyoming and a couple of other top candidates for the WYO job, click HERE.
Before you get too worked up about this (as I’m sure some Cougs are worried about this with an improving defensive unit this season and a fun brand of football for the first time in years), let’s just take a deep breath. First, anyone who pays close attention knows that the Leach-tree is extensive, this is kinda what he does. However it’s just rumor time, no interviews have been scheduled and there’s no guarantee Burman even slides him into his final list. The logic is just there from the past to add him to a list like this and that may very well be the case. .
If Breske doesn’t go to Wyoming, he is sure to be looked at elsewhere eventually. I’m not sure anywhere outside of Laramie (in the FBS ranks anyway) looks for him as a serious head coaching candidate this year, but certainly next if the Cougs can improve on their marks this season. He has been vocal about ultimately wanting a head coaching position if the opportunity presents, so we simply can’t get too attached to him for the long haul. Rather, it’s an enjoy him while he lasts type of thing.
If and when he does leave for his better opportunity, the options are and will be numerous for replacements at a place that now has grade A Pac-12 caliber facilities and an improving team to hang it’s hat on. It also helps that Leach will say “what do you want to be? I’ll help you get there”. Don’t fret just yet Cougs!