Mike Leach, Washington State Out to Prove Something Positive In 2013

Aug 30, 2012; Provo, UT, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach during warm-ups before a game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

SI is on a crusade to find the programs, players and coaches that have something to prove in 2013. As we know, more than most, Washington State is in that category while a rejuvenated Mike Leach is still looking to turn around the struggling Cougars after failing to do so in year one. At least the win column will tell you that they didn’t make strides, but Leach is most optimistic about what he’s got on board going into the 2013 season and has said so on multiple occasions earlier this Spring and Summer. Time will tell if his optimism is warranted or if WSU is still at least a year away from getting back to the postseason.

Here’s SI’s article about why Leach and WSU are out to prove something positive this upcoming season. A snippet is below or click the link for the full article.

"Of course, Leach came with his share of baggage. He was fired from Tech in 2009 on the heels of an investigation into his treatment of a player who had a concussion. He went on to file a lawsuit against the university for wrongful termination, and following the messy and public divorce, it appeared as if Leach’s career as an offensive guru was over.That changed before last season. Leach was afforded his second chance in Pullman, Wash., and with it, an opportunity to make his mark on a middling program. Leach replaced Paul Wulff, who was fired after going 9-40 in four years with the Cougars. Yet though hopes for a turnaround were high — Washington State opened last season with a nationally televised Thursday night bout at BYU — the program repeatedly flailed: It finished a woeful 3-9, with losses to 1-11 Colorado and 3-9 Cal."