Washington State Football: Cougars “Light-years Ahead” in Being a Family

Nov. 23, 2012; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach (in black) huddles up with the offense against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Football is a funny sport.  The things that make a good football team aren’t always something you can teach.  When looking at Washington State over the past 10 years or so there has been little comradery.  Fights in the locker room where one player ends up breaking an others jaw, people being arrested for either fighting off the field or driving drunk or being in possession of drugs.  We’ve had some talent come through and leave very shortly after due to selfish acts.

The Washington State football team has never been as united as it is today, this year we didn’t lose a key player because an arrest over the summer which we have done every single year as long as I can remember since the bowl drought.  Connor Halliday said it all too well after Cougars first scrimmage this fall stating “This team is the closest college football team I’ve ever been on, Lightyears ahead of where we were last year in that being a family” and a shout out to Mike Leach for putting his players in a situation where the Cougs could bond “It’s great having everyone in the dorms where we could build that bond”.

I agree with Connor, you can see it on the field even now.  Bringing all the Freshmen in together, scheduling most events on campus with that group, and then bringing the entire team to start practice together away from Pullman is a huge advantage for these Cougs.  They are growing as a family and I believe that will pay off in EVERYTHING in a HUGE way but you’ll see it most when these Cougs are on the road.  Last year the system was changing and not everyone had an easy time with it, nor did they agree with it, some people went with it in hopes it would lead to a bowl, but the fact is this team was divided.  The team being divided like that caused major meltdowns against teams the Cougs should have at least played well against on the road towards the end of the season (hint Utah and Arizona State).

This Cougar team is a Family now.  Everyone is buying into the system, some have been in the system for a year now and others have known nothing but this system.  That is a huge advantage.  When you look at the Cougs you cannot deny there have been huge improvements where we needed them most (Once again shout out to Leach)  as we are used to seeing the same positions bleed and suffer year after year (sorry Wulff).   The most improved aspect of this team has been how it’s grown as a family,  this is very exciting to me and I can’t wait to see the year this team is able to put together.

Auburn draws close! Go Cougs!