We’ve only just passed the midway point of Jimmy Rodgers’ first season at the helm, with a mismatched roster composed of some of his players from South Dakota State, some holdovers from the Jake Dickert era, and some transfers from elsewhere. None of this says “easy situation,” and I think any rational fan came into the season with very little in the way of expectations.
This season has had its highs and lows. Giving up 118 points over two games did not inspire confidence early on, but the last two weeks—battling against some of the best teams in the country and staying in both games until the final minute—have shown tremendous improvement that can only be credited to good coaching.
How does the first year of the Jimmy Rodgers experience compare to the first years of previous coaches? Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane and look at the men who have led the Cougs since the Pac-10’s creation.
Jake Dickert: 2021–2024
WSU Record: 23–20 | First Season: 7–6
The Jake Dickert era began in bizarre fashion. Nick Rolovich was ousted midseason for refusing the COVID vaccine, and Dickert led the team to a 3–3 finish. In his first full season, Dickert guided the Cougs to one of the biggest wins in recent program history—going on the road to beat Wisconsin—before coming home to lose a heartbreaker to a really good Oregon team. At the time, 7–6 felt like a great first season. Looking back, that defense featured five future NFL players and an offense led by future No. 1 pick Cam Ward.
Nick Rolovich: 2020–2021
WSU Record: 5–6
Nick Rolovich was handed the keys just as the COVID pandemic took hold of the world. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Pac-12 handled the situation about as poorly as any conference, and WSU only played four games that first year—going 1–3 with Jayden de Laura leading the way. There isn’t a full first season to judge here.
Mike Leach: 2012–2019
WSU Record: 55–47 | First Season: 3–9
Mike Leach inherited a 4–8 Paul Wulff team and struggled his way to three wins in his first year. That third win came in a huge upset—the only game Leach would win against the Huskies—buying him plenty of goodwill with alumni. What he did for the program afterward, leading it to the most successful four- and five-year runs in WSU history, can make us forget that through his first three seasons, Leach was just 12–25.
Paul Wulff: 2008–2011
WSU Record: 9–40 | First Season: 2–11
Paul Wulff inherited a rough roster and captained it to being outscored by an unimaginable 405 points, ranking second to last in points scored and second to last in points allowed in his first year. The Wulff years would peak in his final season at 4–8.
Bill Doba: 2003–2007
WSU Record: 30–29 | First Season: 10–3 (Holiday Bowl win vs. #5 Texas)
Bill Doba took over after WSU legend Mike Price was briefly hired by Alabama (where he would never coach a game). With Price’s talent, Doba led the Cougs to one of the best seasons and biggest bowl wins in program history—beating Vince Young and #5 Texas in the Holiday Bowl. Doba was never able to recruit at a level to sustain success, but he did beat the Huskies three of the five times he faced them.
Mike Price: 1989–2002
WSU Record: 83–78 | First Season: 6–5
Regarded by many as the best coach to come through the Palouse, Mike Price led the Cougs to both of their Rose Bowl appearances. Hop in a time machine and go back to 1989—Dennis Erickson had just left to coach the University of Miami. Price had the Cougs off to a 6–1 start and up to #15 in the rankings before losing the last four games of the season.
Dennis Erickson: 1987–1988
WSU Record: 12–10–1 | First Season: 3–7–1
Dennis Erickson’s tenure in Pullman was brief but impactful, sparking a quick turnaround that led WSU to nine wins for the first time since 1930 in his second season. In his first year, Erickson ended the season with a tie against California—marking the last tie in WSU football history.
Jim Walden: 1978–1986
WSU Record: 41–55 | First Season: 3–7–1
Jim Walden ushered in the Pac-10 era in his first season, led by WSU royalty: senior QB Jack “the Throwin' Samoan” Thompson. Walden started strong at 3–0–1 through four weeks before dropping the last seven games. On a positive note, Jack Thompson finished ninth in Heisman voting that season.