CML future not with WSU???

[Coug95man2]

so looking at my Twitter feed this morning, I see Miami (FL) has dreams of hiring CML when we kick him to the curb. A FL blogger has linked to the C. C. article about CMLs contract and buyout and the responses are pretty positive and welcoming to him going there. Crazy. Apparently something that has been talked about at length there. And sad to say there have been a couple Coug responses basically saying, "Please take him".

 

[Coug1990]

so looking at my Twitter feed this morning, I see Miami (FL) has dreams of hiring CML when we kick him to the curb. A FL blogger has linked to the C. C. article about CMLs contract and buyout and the responses are pretty positive and welcoming to him going there. Crazy. Apparently something that has been talked about at length there. And sad to say there have been a couple Coug responses basically saying, "Please take him".

I still believe in what Coach Leach is doing. I want him to stay for a long, long time.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I'm very torn on this. I like a lot of things that Leach has done but at the same time, I look a the past four years and I see three losses (CU, CSU and PSU) that any competent coach would have avoided. I see a team that is a disaster on special teams in year four with a defense that is arguably worse than it was in 2011. If we finish 3-9 or worse, I'd like to think that Bill Moos would write the check for Miami to pay for Leach's buyout.

I hope things turn around, but at this point, I wouldn't cry if Mike headed for greener pastures if they don't.

 

[chinookpirate]

If Leach wants to quit, he should quit. Either way, we will move on and press ahead. I don't see him leaving without first being successful here.

Check this out... seems Trump wanted Leach at Miami in 2010. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5870539

 

[Coug95man2]

I still believe in what Coach Leach is doing. I want him to stay for a long, long time.

I agree. No coach is perfect, no team is perfect and to bring our program from the depths it's been in, is going to have some pits in the road. I can't, and won't try, to foretell the future to see if/when the next PSU game will come down the pipe but I'm sure another will. Hopefully not as bad as the PSU game but we are going to lose another game we should have won, no doubt. I like CML, I like his style

I don't think our program is going in the wrong direction so we shall see how this year pans out. This year has a lot of weight on it, though.

 

[Coug1990]

I agree. No coach is perfect, no team is perfect and to bring our program from the depths it's been in, is going to have some pits in the road. I can't, and won't try, to foretell the future to see if/when the next PSU game will come down the pipe but I'm sure another will. Hopefully not as bad as the PSU game but we are going to lose another game we should have won, no doubt. I like CML, I like his style

I don't think our program is going in the wrong direction so we shall see how this year pans out. This year has a lot of weight on it, though.

I haven't seen practices. But, I have read a lot of articles stating the team looked different during fall practices. I have read that before during the previous regime and guys like Grippi and BX were writing syrupy stories. Still, this seemed different and it was backed up by how many large human beings there are on the lines. It is why this was more a mental issue. A lightbulb can go on. I cannot say 100% that it will, but I do believe this is good coaching staff and will get it done.

I have played on teams that did what the Cougars did this past Saturday. I have also been on teams where we were David to the other team being Goliath. There is no excuse for what happened, but sports happened. We have all seen NFL games where a team will win by 30 plus points and play the same team two weeks later and lose.

 

[Coug95man2]

Yes it is. It is kind of funny. The editor of Brand Y doesn't want Leach anymore. I asked him point blank if the season turns around and the Cougars make a bowl, would he still feel that way? He said yes.

Oh this is sad. By some crazy turn of this continuum we win 9 games and Nusser is going to hold onto this kind of emotion… wow.

 

[CougPatrol]

Leach would probably do well at Miami. Never have to leave the state to recruit. Attract speedy skill players and defensive guys by default.

 

[Coug1990]

Oh this is sad. By some crazy turn of this continuum we win 9 games and Nusser is going to hold onto this kind of emotion… wow.

I also told him that you do realize if this team makes a bowl, almost the entire team returns for what was probably another bowl. He said yes.

 

[Coug95man2]

Leach would probably do well at Miami. Never have to leave the state the recruit. Attract speedy skill players and defensive guys be default.

Leach would do well anywhere.

 

[MoreCougthanYou]

Except here.

 

[Fab5Coug]

If Miami wants Leach, I doubt they'd have to wait till he's fired. They'd just pay his buyout and take him.

Would be an interesting move. At this point, I don't know that I'd be all that upset about it.

 

[Coug95man2]

I also told him that you do realize if this team makes a bowl, almost the entire team returns for what was probably another bowl. He said yes.

And he contributes heavily to a publication for our program… great. No venom will be spewed, warranted or not, through that site. I go over there every once in a while. I no longer will. Life is too short for that crap.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

If Miami wants Leach, I doubt they'd have to wait till he's fired. They'd just pay his buyout and take him.

Would be an interesting move. At this point, I don't know that I'd be all that upset about it.

Pretty much agree. I don't want him fired, but if he wants to go to Miami, then I'd wish him good luck. If it happens, it would be the second time that Miami took one of our head football coaches.

(By the way, whatever happened to that tight end they lured away from Wulff? Did he end up doing anything significant for them?)

 

[Coug95man2]

Except here.

I think he's done OK. I think he will continue to do well. I know I'll get a whole bunch of flac just for that statement but I do believe that. All this venom is coming to the surface since the PSU game. IF that develops into an aberration, then we are going to do well this year. If PSU is an indicator of what's to come, we'll survive.

Because the outside view will be, if CML can't get it done, who can? Especially if he goes to another school and does well. What a indicator of our program when a Hall-of-Fame NCAA coach comes in and can't get it done before we pull the torches and pitchforks out on him. And then he goes wherever and succeeds?! Even more of an indictment of our program. Whatever coach that comes in after CML (and an assumed failure) will be a nobody that we'll still pay multi-millions for, or a quack that we pay multi-millions for. No big name would risk coming to WSU if CML fails… and our program will be hundreds of steps back. Think of the recruiting blunder this scenario would be. JMHO.

I'm "all in" with CML, right now. This year will be a decent indicator (regardless of outcome, I will still be "all in") and next year will be a massive weight on the scales of opinion-making and the state of our program.

And I'm "all in" for 2 reasons:
1. I like the man. I like his personality, I like how he coaches. He's made some mistakes but who hasn't… He fits Pullman and WSU well and that's a hard thing to find.

2. I dread whom will come after him. I want to give CML any and every possibility to succeed because the steps backwards could be uglier than we've ever seen if he leaves prior to success. Does that mean 5 years? 6 years? 7 years? Don't know but we'll see after each season's outcome and what I see on the field.

 

[wazzucougs96]

I think he's done OK. I think he will continue to do well. I know I'll get a whole bunch of flac just for that statement but I do believe that. All this venom is coming to the surface since the PSU game. IF that develops into an aberration, then we are going to do well this year. If PSU is an indicator of what's to come, we'll survive.

Because the outside view will be, if CML can't get it done, who can? Especially if he goes to another school and does well. What a indicator of our program when a Hall-of-Fame NCAA coach comes in and can't get it done before we pull the torches and pitchforks out on him. And then he goes wherever and succeeds?! Even more of an indictment of our program. Whatever coach that comes in after CML (and an assumed failure) will be a nobody that we'll still pay multi-millions for, or a quack that we pay multi-millions for. No big name would risk coming to WSU if CML fails… and our program will be hundreds of steps back. Think of the recruiting blunder this scenario would be. JMHO.

I'm "all in" with CML, right now. This year will be a decent indicator (regardless of outcome, I will still be "all in") and next year will be a massive weight on the scales of opinion-making and the state of our program.

And I'm "all in" for 2 reasons:
1. I like the man. I like his personality, I like how he coaches. He's made some mistakes but who hasn't… He fits Pullman and WSU well and that's a hard thing to find.

2. I dread whom will come after him. I want to give CML any and every possibility to succeed because the steps backwards could be uglier than we've ever seen if he leaves prior to success. Does that mean 5 years? 6 years? 7 years? Don't know but we'll see after each season's outcome and what I see on the field.

We don't really have much choice but to be all in on Leach right now. If he fails, we are staring into the abyss the likes of which only Oregon State has seen.

 

[Coug1990]

I think he's done OK. I think he will continue to do well. I know I'll get a whole bunch of flac just for that statement but I do believe that. All this venom is coming to the surface since the PSU game. IF that develops into an aberration, then we are going to do well this year. If PSU is an indicator of what's to come, we'll survive.

Because the outside view will be, if CML can't get it done, who can? Especially if he goes to another school and does well. What a indicator of our program when a Hall-of-Fame NCAA coach comes in and can't get it done before we pull the torches and pitchforks out on him. And then he goes wherever and succeeds?! Even more of an indictment of our program. Whatever coach that comes in after CML (and an assumed failure) will be a nobody that we'll still pay multi-millions for, or a quack that we pay multi-millions for. No big name would risk coming to WSU if CML fails… and our program will be hundreds of steps back. Think of the recruiting blunder this scenario would be. JMHO.

I'm "all in" with CML, right now. This year will be a decent indicator (regardless of outcome, I will still be "all in") and next year will be a massive weight on the scales of opinion-making and the state of our program.

And I'm "all in" for 2 reasons:
1. I like the man. I like his personality, I like how he coaches. He's made some mistakes but who hasn't… He fits Pullman and WSU well and that's a hard thing to find.

2. I dread whom will come after him. I want to give CML any and every possibility to succeed because the steps backwards could be uglier than we've ever seen if he leaves prior to success. Does that mean 5 years? 6 years? 7 years? Don't know but we'll see after each season's outcome and what I see on the field.

Good post. I just read Mike Leach's presser from yesterday. He summed up the loss exactly how I had done on here a few days ago. They weren't mature. They didn't score in the first half. PSU came out pumped up, the team panicked and tried to do too much instead of doing what they had been doing. It is what I was seeing watching that disaster of a game.

We all get emotional, and believe me, I do. But, in the end my default setting is always to look at it logically. I think you are the same way 95. This team will either use PSU as a learning experience, and some people need to be burned by touching a hot stove before they get the message. Or, they will tune out the message. I think it was a learning experience, but in this case, it is more "gut" than "logic".

 

[Fab5Coug]

Pretty much agree. I don't want him fired, but if he wants to go to Miami, then I'd wish him good luck. If it happens, it would be the second time that Miami took one of our head football coaches.

(By the way, whatever happened to that tight end they lured away from Wulff? Did he end up doing anything significant for them?)

Asante Cleveland. Odd career. He didn't do a darn thing at Miami, but latched on with the 49ers lats year and is on the Patriots currently. One of those odd guys that doesn't do anything in college, but gets an NFL shot based purely on athletic ability.

Heck, if Leach's buyout is $5M, Miami might be doing us a favor taking Leach.

 

[ttowncoug]

I give Leach good marks for recruiting, changing the culture (slowly) and setting the compass in the right direction. I hope he's successful and retires here.

Reality is though, I could honestly see him going to Miami for his "last gig." Much better talent pool. He loves Key West. Realistically any coach could win the national championship there.

I do think Leach is going to need to put a few winning seasons together and get us back to relevance for this to happen.

 

[chinookpirate]

They are worse than the Yaki/ed/sponge/chinook circle jerk party here? No way.

Nothing is worse than the endless cycle of idiocy that group continues to pour onto this forum.

You threw rocks through windows a lot as a child, didn't you.

 

[chinookpirate]

What did you do when losers such as yourself would troll message boards seeking confrontation, like what you're doing now?

 

[PeteTheChop]

Prior to leaving WSU for Miami after the '88 season, Dennis Erickson was 12-10-1 with an Aloha Bowl victory after inheriting a 3-win team from Jim Walden.

Mike Leach is 12-27 with no bowl wins after taking over a 4-win team from Paul Wulff.

1. Miami fans should know better than most that a good coach CAN win at Washington State.
2. CML better pick up the pace if he's going to be hired away by anyone.

 

[CougEd]

Asante Cleveland. Odd career. He didn't do a darn thing at Miami, but latched on with the 49ers lats year and is on the Patriots currently. One of those odd guys that doesn't do anything in college, but gets an NFL shot based purely on athletic ability.

Heck, if Leach's buyout is $5M, Miami might be doing us a favor taking Leach.

You have to go five years before even considering the old "see ya" talk from the AD. The wild card and has been since Floyd passed away is the new Prez. What I think they should do Is really moot at this point. If he is patient he will see what happens over the next 23 games.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I think he's done OK. I think he will continue to do well. I know I'll get a whole bunch of flac just for that statement but I do believe that. All this venom is coming to the surface since the PSU game. IF that develops into an aberration, then we are going to do well this year. If PSU is an indicator of what's to come, we'll survive.

Because the outside view will be, if CML can't get it done, who can? Especially if he goes to another school and does well. What a indicator of our program when a Hall-of-Fame NCAA coach comes in and can't get it done before we pull the torches and pitchforks out on him. And then he goes wherever and succeeds?! Even more of an indictment of our program. Whatever coach that comes in after CML (and an assumed failure) will be a nobody that we'll still pay multi-millions for, or a quack that we pay multi-millions for. No big name would risk coming to WSU if CML fails… and our program will be hundreds of steps back. Think of the recruiting blunder this scenario would be. JMHO.

I'm "all in" with CML, right now. This year will be a decent indicator (regardless of outcome, I will still be "all in") and next year will be a massive weight on the scales of opinion-making and the state of our program.

And I'm "all in" for 2 reasons:
1. I like the man. I like his personality, I like how he coaches. He's made some mistakes but who hasn't… He fits Pullman and WSU well and that's a hard thing to find.

2. I dread whom will come after him. I want to give CML any and every possibility to succeed because the steps backwards could be uglier than we've ever seen if he leaves prior to success. Does that mean 5 years? 6 years? 7 years? Don't know but we'll see after each season's outcome and what I see on the field.

There is a danger of the "who can win at WSU if not Leach?" but at the same time, there will be those that say that his failures at WSU so far are because he failed to design a balanced attack and he focused on offense at the expense of defense and special teams. Personally, I'm done with the "let's hire a retread and see if they can breath life back into our program". June Daugherty has been the women's coach for 8+ years and it took her until her 7th year to get us to the NIT. I look at our roster this year and I do not see an NIT team. Ernie will probably turn the men's basketball team around but I'm pretty sure that 13-18 last year doesn't get anyone excited. At least it was an improvement over 10-21. Too many old guard coaches who are making their last hurrah seem to struggle. I'm ready for younger blood.

I don't know who WSU will hire but there will be exciting candidates available. If things go south this year, it's hard to imagine things really being worse. I don't see the real difference between 1-11 and 3-9. Both records suck in the big picture. I hope that Leach gets this turned around so we can all laugh about the negativity this week.

 

[Coug95man2]

There is a danger of the "who can win at WSU if not Leach?" but at the same time, there will be those that say that his failures at WSU so far are because he failed to design a balanced attack and he focused on offense at the expense of defense and special teams. Personally, I'm done with the "let's hire a retread and see if they can breath life back into our program". June Daugherty has been the women's coach for 8+ years and it took her until her 7th year to get us to the NIT. I look at our roster this year and I do not see an NIT team. Ernie will probably turn the men's basketball team around but I'm pretty sure that 13-18 last year doesn't get anyone excited. At least it was an improvement over 10-21. Too many old guard coaches who are making their last hurrah seem to struggle. I'm ready for younger blood.

I don't know who WSU will hire but there will be exciting candidates available. If things go south this year, it's hard to imagine things really being worse. I don't see the real difference between 1-11 and 3-9. Both records suck in the big picture. I hope that Leach gets this turned around so we can all laugh about the negativity this week.

Just like everything, if you take it too far, there will always be a danger. And that's true of just about anything, I suppose. But for us, as fans, I think it's only logical to try to extrapolate what reactions, what segment of the coaching pool, would we have access to. I mean the very first step to finding a coach is, "Who would want to come here?", isn't it? It's about how THEY perceive our program. Do they think they can succeed? Well, CML did this and that. This is what the current roster looks like, here's the film, why couldn't CML, of all people bring in this player or that player? Things like that go through any candidates mind, I would think. Coaches are full of ego but they aren't dumb, either. They will mitigate as much risk to their lifetime success as possible. So yeah… we can take that perception too far, much like the reactions this week about one bloomin' loss have gone pretty extreme, we could take this process to an extreme. But to look without emotion, logically, to see how we are perceived outside of our own walls, sort of speak, is very important, I think. It's the first step to see whom would even look at us. And if CML is booted to the curb prior to success, I think our pool won't be as big. We'd be limiting ourselves drastically, IMO.

And thus, one of my major reasons for being all in. I'll support, I'll go to games, I'll buy stuff… for the programs success, not necessarily for CML's success. Although they are tied together. And yeah, it kinda is an obligation. One I knew about a long time ago and happy to shoulder. Not a biggie to me.

 

[Observer11]

If Miami wants Leach, I doubt they'd have to wait till he's fired. They'd just pay his buyout and take him.

Would be an interesting move. At this point, I don't know that I'd be all that upset about it.

You're assuming WSU would even require a buyout. That stuff is always negotiable.

 

[wazzucougs96]

You're assuming WSU would even require a buyout. That stuff is always negotiable.

You think Bill Moos would be effective at the negotiating table? LOL

 

[Observer11]

You think Bill Moos would be effective at the negotiating table? LOL

Waive rhymes with cave.

 

[CougPatrol]

Regardless of the (if there's any at all) speculation, I'd be shocked if Miami, FL ponied up nearly $5M to bring Leach in as their coach. Miami is still a big time, coveted coaching gig. It's in a desirable location (wife approval factor), in the epicenter of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the Nation.

Not only does Leach still have (perceived) baggage from his days at Texas Tech, but now he's not winning either. Miami is known for producing running backs and defensive players. Leach is not.

Miami also as a Soph QB who was the ACC rookie of the year last season. It wouldn't surprise me if they became one of the surprise teams in the Nation this year.

 

[SCglory]

Leach would do well anywhere.

I don't think that claim is self-evident anymore. He has not done "well" at WSU.

 

[WaltherPPK]

I don't see Coach or staff as having any appeal at most all 4 year schools at this point.

Coach had all Spring / Summer to get this group ready for home opener. Posters trying to factor in weather, lack of fans or young players are way off base here.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I don't think that claim is self-evident anymore. He has not done "well" at WSU.

We all hope that Leach does well but the reality is that the Air Raid didn't play well in the SEC. Hal Mumme and Leach were able to get Kentucky to 7-5 before fading, which was one of the top five seasons in about 40 years at that school, but Rich Brooks had four straight 7+ win seasons a few years later. It's quite possible that the classic Air Raid has jumped the shark as an effective offense. It's definitely put up or shut up time.

One thing that I realized after looking at Leach's contract is that he is required to actively seek employment if released by WSU and we would not owe him another penny if he is hired for at least $1.2 million per year. I don't believe that Leach wants his legacy to end with a thud at WSU and we would only be stuck paying for 1 or 2 years at most no matter what. Of course, as I've said before, I'm hoping we start to kick butt so these conversations become moot.

 

[YakiCoug]

What did you do when losers such as yourself would troll message boards seeking confrontation, like what you're doing now?

This is priceless. You do know that you are throwing rocks at the mirror, correct?

 

[Cougatron]

I don't see Coach or staff as having any appeal at most all 4 year schools at this point.

Coach had all Spring / Summer to get this group ready for home opener. Posters trying to factor in weather, lack of fans or young players are way off base here.

No it's not off base. All those things factor in.

If you don't think Fans deserting at half time and not showing up isn't an issue... there is a term...
It's called "Fair Weather Fan".. it's almost as if the phrase was coined after people who desert their team in bad times (I'll go when they win, I need a good product before I go)...and fans that use the weather for an excuse (It was raining I don't want to sit in the rain) but then expect the players to do it unimpeded.

So when there is a term...that exactly describes the fan base...and is negative...we have a big problem at hand, and things won't get better until it's addressed. If people really want WSU to be a winning program this is a must fix issue.

 

[chinookpirate]

Sounds like you have a beef with the AD. You should write Moos and tell him what he's doing wrong and demand he fix it.

 

[YakiCoug]

No it's not off base. All those things factor in.

If you don't think Fans deserting at half time and not showing up isn't an issue... there is a term...
It's called "Fair Weather Fan".. it's almost as if the phrase was coined after people who desert their team in bad times (I'll go when they win, I need a good product before I go)...and fans that use the weather for an excuse (It was raining I don't want to sit in the rain) but then expect the players to do it unimpeded.

So when there is a term...that exactly describes the fan base...and is negative...we have a big problem at hand, and things won't get better until it's addressed. If people really want WSU to be a winning program this is a must fix issue.

No. 1, there is no excuse for losing to Portland State, but the lack of fan support, be it from students or former students/alumni, is being used against us in recruiting. Even recruits - and known commitments - are talking about it. As for fans leaving, what would have happened in 2002 if all or most of those thundersticks left at halftime? Fans do matter.

 

[chinookpirate]

There is no excuse for losing at home to Portland State except for the following excuses... nice analysis as always.

 

[Cougsocal]

so looking at my Twitter feed this morning, I see Miami (FL) has dreams of hiring CML when we kick him to the curb. A FL blogger has linked to the C. C. article about CMLs contract and buyout and the responses are pretty positive and welcoming to him going there. Crazy. Apparently something that has been talked about at length there. And sad to say there have been a couple Coug responses basically saying, "Please take him".

Have you actually looked at the Miami fan sites? Take a look. They hate Golden, and a few posters thought Leach would be a good fit, last spring, others said hell no, but not now, not after Portland State, they'd burn the campus down if he were on any list to replace Golden.

The only hope Mike Leach has of ending up at Miami, or any power school as a HC is to put a winner on the field in Pullman. If he does that, it is a win/win situation. However, we just lost to Portland State so a winning season in 2015, doesn't look good.

 

[CougPatrol]

There's no question that fan support matters. Our fans have always frustrated me, but WSU needs to claim their share of the blame as well.

What we ask of our fans is above and beyond that of any other Power5 conference school; especially when you factor in the product on the field. WSU has done virtually nothing to improve the game day experience in 20 years.

The fieldhouse is a great pre-game concept, but like everything else we do, it's horribly executed. Easy, inexpensive fixes are available. Improve and freshen the food choices, and scatter TVs throughout the entire building so everyone can watch the other games. Better yet, mount several 80" TV's and give the place a sports bar feel. Have one master TV dedicated to playing historical WSU football highlights and soundbits of BobRob's greatest calls to excite the crowd.

We ask fans to drive a minimum of 80 miles (one way) to see our (usually bad) team play. Jesus, at least reward them with a festive, fun game day experience.

• We should have the conferences biggest tailgate / beer garden
• Ample parking should be available
• Access into the stadium should be FAST and convenient. Instead, we have the smallest attendance and longest wait times because WSU cheaps out and has only 2 ticket takers at each gate.
• Our current family fun play area is a good idea, but there should be at least one more area on the adjacent side of the stadium as well. Bounce houses for the kids, beer gardens for the parents, live music, etc.

We should have the best game day experience in the conference to make up for the fact that our venue is (by far) the least accessible and most expensive trip there is. Instead, we have a subpar experience.

As I've said before, WSU Athletic Department should start playing hardball with the city of Pullman and the University. Move 2 games/year to Seattle and let the city and the area businesses feel the lost revenue impact. You want to charge $200+ night for lousy hotels? You want to issue parking tickets to fans who drove 2+ hours to see a lousy team play? Don't want to create an SEC type, game day atmosphere? OK, then we have no choice but to cut the number of Pullman homes games down to 4/year.

Good news fans, we have 2 season ticket package available. The Pullman Package and Seattle package. What part of the state are you calling from?

 

[wazzucougs96]

There's no question that fan support matters. Our fans have always frustrated me, but WSU needs to claim their share of the blame as well.

What we ask of our fans is above and beyond that of any other Power5 conference school; especially when you factor in the product on the field. WSU has done virtually nothing to improve the game day experience in 20 years.

The fieldhouse is a great pre-game concept, but like everything else we do, it's horribly executed. Easy, inexpensive fixes are available. Improve and freshen the food choices, and scatter TVs throughout the entire building so everyone can watch the other games. Better yet, mount several 80" TV's and give the place a sports bar feel. Have one master TV dedicated to playing historical WSU football highlights and soundbits of BobRob's greatest calls to excite the crowd.

We ask fans to drive a minimum of 80 miles (one way) to see our (usually bad) team play. Jesus, at least reward them with a festive, fun game day experience.

• We should have the conferences biggest tailgate / beer garden
• Ample parking should be available
• Access into the stadium should be FAST and convenient. Instead, we have the smallest attendance and longest wait times because WSU cheaps out and has only 2 ticket takers at each gate.
• Our current family fun play area is a good idea, but there should be at least one more area on the adjacent side of the stadium as well. Bounce houses for the kids, beer gardens for the parents, live music, etc.

We should have the best game day experience in the conference to make up for the fact that our venue is (by far) the least accessible and most expensive trip there is. Instead, we have a subpar experience.

As I've said before, WSU Athletic Department should start playing hardball with the city of Pullman and the University. Move 2 games/year to Seattle and let the city and the area businesses feel the lost revenue impact. You want to charge $200+ night for lousy hotels? You want to issue parking tickets to fans who drove 2+ hours to see a lousy team play? Don't want to create an SEC type, game day atmosphere? OK, then we have no choice but to cut the number of Pullman homes games down to 4/year.

Good news fans, we have 2 season ticket package available. The Pullman Package and Seattle package. What part of the state are you calling from?

A few points:

1) Parking: A huge drawback to our stadium being in the center of campus is lack of parking nearby. Anyone who has season tickets gets access to very reasonable parking. Single game ticket holders do get the shaft a bit, but there really isn't any option. There is no where else to put them.

2) There is a plethora of outstanding tailgate space that goes unused every single gameday. The lack of motivation to participate is really on the fans. Most don't venture off of college hill unless they are in an RV, and that is unfortunate.

3) No disagreement on the ticket taking. That always is a coin flip for some reason. Some games it is quick, others like last Saturday it is a complete mess.

4) Hotels already sell out for most games in their current condition and price points. Not much can really be done about that short of adding supply, and until Pullman grows and has more events requiring hotel space, we are kind of stuck. To WSU's credit they have started the gameday shuttle bus program, bringing fans from Spokane, Tri Cities, and Walla Walla for a very reasonable price, with alcohol allowed on the buses.

5) The gameday experience isn't perfect, but it really is what you make of it. The tailgating culture at other schools doesn't exist because the schools force it, it exists because they allowed it to develop. The fans were interested and created the scene. Our fans that show up do the same, there just aren't as many of us.

6) One thing I have often wondered is how much the stadium location hurts us (despite how awesome it is.) It makes it so easy for students to leave. If the stadium had been built, say, east of town out by the airport, with big parking fields around it, what would the tailgate scene look like? Would people be more inclined to stay?