Being the Washington State University coach right now is a bit like trying to fix a plane while it’s flying through a Category 5 hurricane. Most people don't realize how close the program came to total collapse when the Pac-12 dissolved. It was messy. It was loud. And honestly, it was kind of heartbreaking for the folks in Pullman.
When the dust settled and the "Pac-2" was all that remained, Jake Dickert didn't bolt for a shiny coordinator job in the Big Ten. He stayed. That matters.
Pullman is a special place, but it's isolated. You aren't recruiting kids with the promise of big-city lights or NIL deals that rival a small country's GDP. You’re selling a vibe. You’re selling "Cougs vs. Everyone." It’s a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that has defined the program from Mike Price to Mike Leach, and now to the Dickert era. But let's be real: the 2024 and 2025 seasons have changed the math on what success actually looks like in the Palouse.
The Reality of Coaching at Wazzu in the New Era
If you look at the history of the Washington State University coach position, it’s always been about doing more with less. But "less" usually meant fewer blue-chip recruits, not the loss of a power conference identity.
Dickert took over under the strangest circumstances imaginable. Following the mid-season firing of Nick Rolovich in 2021 due to the state’s vaccine mandate, Dickert—the defensive coordinator at the time—was thrust into the spotlight. He didn't just steady the ship; he won the Apple Cup. That 40-13 blowout of Washington basically cemented his status before he even had the "interim" tag removed.
But since then? It’s been a rollercoaster.
The 2023 season started with a bang, including a massive win over Wisconsin that had fans dreaming of a Top 15 finish. Then, the wheels came off. A six-game losing streak exposed the depth issues that haunt every Washington State University coach. When you don't have three deep of four-star talent, one or two injuries to the offensive line can turn a high-octane offense into a sputtering mess.
Why the 2024 Scheduling Agreement Changed Everything
The partnership with the Mountain West wasn't just about finding games to play; it was about survival. For a Washington State University coach, the scouting report changed overnight. Suddenly, you’re playing San Jose State and Boise State instead of Oregon and USC.
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Critics say the schedule is easier. Is it? Maybe. But the pressure is actually higher. If you're Wazzu, you have to win these games to prove you still belong in the national conversation. Dickert has had to manage a locker room where players were constantly being "tampered" with by bigger programs looking to poach talent through the transfer portal. Losing a star quarterback like Cameron Ward to Miami is a gut punch that most coaches couldn't recover from.
The "Cougs vs. Everyone" Mentality as a Recruiting Tool
Jake Dickert leans into the underdog role. Hard.
He’s often seen wearing the "Pullman Built" gear, and his press conferences feel more like a blue-collar manifesto than a corporate briefing. This is intentional. To succeed as the Washington State University coach, you have to embrace the fact that it’s hard to get to Pullman. There’s no major airport. It’s cold. It’s windy.
- The Identity: Defensive-minded, but appreciative of the "Air Raid" history.
- The Pitch: "Come here because nobody else thinks we can win."
- The Result: A roster full of guys who play with a frantic, desperate energy.
Dickert’s defensive background is a sharp pivot from the Mike Leach years. While Leach wanted to outscore you 55-50, Dickert wants to suffocate you. The 2024 season showed flashes of this, with a defense that forced turnovers at a high rate, keeping them in games where the offense struggled to find a rhythm.
The NIL Struggle in Pullman
Let's talk money. Because in 2026, that's all college football is.
The "Cougar Collective" is active, but it isn't the Phil Knight-funded juggernaut happening over in Eugene. The Washington State University coach has to be a fundraiser as much as a play-caller. Dickert has been vocal about the "Wild West" nature of NIL, famously pointing out that some programs are essentially buying rosters.
He isn't wrong. But complaining doesn't win games. Dickert has had to find "hidden gems"—players from the FCS level or overlooked high schoolers in Texas and California who have the physical tools but need development. It’s old-school coaching in a new-school world.
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Historical Context: The Ghost of Mike Leach
You can't talk about the Washington State University coach without mentioning Mike Leach. He changed the gravity of the program. He made it cool to be a Coug.
Dickert is the polar opposite of Leach in terms of personality. Leach was the eccentric professor; Dickert is the high-energy CEO. But they share one thing: they both realized that WSU cannot try to be Washington or Oregon. It has to be its own weird, wonderful thing.
The transition from the Air Raid to a more balanced, "Coug Raid" system has been bumpy. Fans who grew up on 60 pass attempts a game sometimes get restless when the run game gets stuffed. But the reality is that to win in the current landscape, you need a defense that can stay off the field. Dickert’s focus on time of possession and defensive efficiency is a pragmatic response to the program's limited depth.
What the Experts Say
National analysts like Joel Klatt and Kirk Herbstreit have frequently pointed to WSU as the "litmus test" for the health of college football. If a program with this much history and such a loyal fanbase can't survive the realignment era, what does that say about the sport?
The Washington State University coach isn't just coaching for wins anymore; they are coaching for the school's relevance. Every win against a "Power Four" opponent is a statement to the playoff committee that the Cougs shouldn't be forgotten.
Navigating the Transfer Portal Minefield
The portal is a double-edged sword for the Washington State University coach.
On one hand, it allows you to plug holes quickly. On the other, your best players are constantly being recruited by programs with deeper pockets. It’s a revolving door.
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- Retention is the new recruiting. Dickert has spent more time re-recruiting his own roster than chasing high school seniors.
- Evaluating character over stars. WSU can't afford "divas." They need guys who actually want to be in Pullman.
- The "Bridge" Players. Using the portal to find seniors from smaller schools who want one year of high-level exposure.
Honestly, it's exhausting. You can see it in the eyes of any coach in this position. The job never stops.
The Future of the Washington State University Coach Position
Is Jake Dickert the long-term answer?
The fans seem to think so, or at least they want him to be. In an era where coaches jump ship at the first sign of a bigger paycheck, Dickert’s loyalty to the Palouse has earned him a massive amount of "culture capital."
However, the 2026 season and beyond will be defined by the new playoff format. With the 12-team (and potentially 14-team) playoff, there is a narrow but real path for a school like Washington State. If the Washington State University coach can lead the team to an undefeated or one-loss season in their hybrid schedule, the "strength of schedule" debate will reach a fever pitch.
Key Tactical Shifts Under Dickert
- Aggressive 4-2-5 Defense: Utilizing hybrid safeties to counter the speed of modern offenses.
- Dual-Threat Quarterbacks: Moving away from the statuesque pocket passers of the Leach era to guys who can create when the play breaks down.
- Special Teams Focus: When talent gaps exist, you win on the margins. WSU’s special teams units have been statistically some of the best in the country over the last two seasons.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of the Washington State University coach, there are a few things you should keep an eye on to judge their success fairly:
- Watch the Trenches: Don't look at the quarterback's stats; look at the offensive line's sack-allowed rate. In Pullman, the game is won or lost by whether they can protect the QB with three-star recruits.
- Monitor "Late-Season Fade": Historically, WSU struggles in November as injuries pile up. A successful coach here is one who manages the roster's health perfectly.
- Follow the NIL Numbers: Support for the Cougar Collective is the most direct way fans influence the coach's ability to win. Without it, the portal will continue to be a one-way street out of town.
- Value the Apple Cup: Regardless of conference alignment, this game remains the season's benchmark. A coach who wins the Apple Cup buys themselves another year of grace, period.
The job isn't for everyone. It takes a specific kind of person to thrive in a place where the wind-chill hits negative twenty and the nearest major city is five hours away. But for Jake Dickert, or whoever follows in his footsteps, the Washington State University coach remains one of the most respected—and difficult—titles in all of sports.
To stay updated on the program's progress, monitor the official WSU Athletics recruitment trackers and the weekly Pac-12 (Pac-2) scheduling announcements. Success in Pullman isn't just about the scoreboard; it's about maintaining a legacy in a landscape that is trying to move on without them.