...I personally think the Mike Leach Football Operations Complex might be fitting or something to honor his legacy in Pullman.
Do we honor Leach somehow?
- Thread starter ttowncoug
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He revived a program that was on the brink of never coming back, things didn't look good for Cougar football after the 2011 season 9-40 over 4 years. Then Bill Moos went out a got Mike Leach, many if not most people were excited, many disapproved. And what he accomplished at WSU over the next 8 years, has to be some of the most exciting times in Cougar Football history. He put WSU football in the national college football map, weekly features on ESPN game day. The Cougs are playing in their 8th consecutive bowl game, we wouldn't be in this position without him. So I don't know what, but something needs to be named after him, he deserves to be recognized by WSU forever.
We sure as Hell better. He's the most important coach in modern day WSU history.
Better have pirate swords on the helmets this weekend
They’ll do a tribute at our first game next season, probably a video montage of some kind. The bowl game isn’t ours, so I don’t expect much more than a moment of silence and decals on the helmets. Maybe the broadcast will do a reflection during a break, and there will certainly be a mention in the pregame.
In the end, I don’t expect that WSU will do anything unless someone donates money for it. They’re certainly not going to name the building for him, they want a big donor for that.
In the end, I don’t expect that WSU will do anything unless someone donates money for it. They’re certainly not going to name the building for him, they want a big donor for that.
I hope they do something substantial. Can't think clearly enough to suggest anything right now. This one hits pretty hard.
Leach deserves to be honored, he did an amazing rebuild, but it is a complicated call, just how. The coach who took us to two Rose bowls is 76 and he deserves to be memorialized when he passes away. The fieldhouse was named after Hollingbery, a court after Friel, Bohler Gym, Brayton-Bailey Field and there must be plans to honor Price similarly. Traditionally, WSU bestows such honors very judiciously, only 2 numbers have been retired. Then there is the modern naming rights for sale factor, as noted above.
I respect Leach but Mike Price was the guy who led us to the greatest moments in the last 30 years. A Mike Leach plaza? Sure. The FOP has been unnamed for years and it should not be have a name added without a lot of thought (or cash).
Mike Price will forever be my favorite head coach, and he'll probably be regarded as the greatest head coach in WSU history.
Mike Leach is the most important coach in WSU history. In 2012, WSU was one bad coaching hire from possible irreversible irrelevance. We needed someone with Leach's innovation, national cache, recruiting charisma, and an offensive system that allowed for success with the under the radar kids that define our program. Ole' Crimson, ESPN game day, and the wave of WSU fan passion we see on social media now is directly attributable to Mike Leach.
I don't compare the accomplishments of Mike Price to Mike Leach because I don't think either of them would have accomplished what the other did. Mike Price took over for Walden / Erickson in a different era. Mike Leach took over for Doba / Wulff at the worst program on the West coast and a top-5 worst P5 program Nationally.
They're both WSU legends who deserve enshrinement into WSU lore. The new IPF, if it comes to be, is a great place to start. A huge banner that reads "Why Washington State? Well that's a pretty stupid question" should be inscribed on a pirate ship inside the IPF.
Mike Leach is the most important coach in WSU history. In 2012, WSU was one bad coaching hire from possible irreversible irrelevance. We needed someone with Leach's innovation, national cache, recruiting charisma, and an offensive system that allowed for success with the under the radar kids that define our program. Ole' Crimson, ESPN game day, and the wave of WSU fan passion we see on social media now is directly attributable to Mike Leach.
I don't compare the accomplishments of Mike Price to Mike Leach because I don't think either of them would have accomplished what the other did. Mike Price took over for Walden / Erickson in a different era. Mike Leach took over for Doba / Wulff at the worst program on the West coast and a top-5 worst P5 program Nationally.
They're both WSU legends who deserve enshrinement into WSU lore. The new IPF, if it comes to be, is a great place to start. A huge banner that reads "Why Washington State? Well that's a pretty stupid question" should be inscribed on a pirate ship inside the IPF.
This whole thread is representative of a conversation that we need to have throughout the alum network. There are no wrong answers or opinions, but it is a subject where some legit differences can exist.
Which doctor is more important; the one that saved both mother and child during the complicated birth, or the one that saved the kid's life 20 years later after the head on collision? That, for me, is the Price and Leach debate. Since Mike P has managed to live longer than Mike L, this discussion has been thrust upon us without much time to mentally prepare. But I think both doctors deserve some sort of lasting recognition.
Which doctor is more important; the one that saved both mother and child during the complicated birth, or the one that saved the kid's life 20 years later after the head on collision? That, for me, is the Price and Leach debate. Since Mike P has managed to live longer than Mike L, this discussion has been thrust upon us without much time to mentally prepare. But I think both doctors deserve some sort of lasting recognition.
Kind of have varying thoughts on this. My first inclination was do you honor him with something like that if he coaches at MSU five more years then retires in KW till he passes at 90? If your answer is yes…then yes.
Then got to thinking about other scenarios w coaches or players who’ve passed away or had to leave the game for health reasons etc. (Gleason in NO for ex). Not sure NO builds a statue of him if he plays 10 years in the NFL and his last 6 with the Chargers. But it was entirely appropriate what they did for the fans, city, and Steve.
Guess for me there’s no right/wrong answers. And more importantly what would Leach say if you asked him that question! Bet you’d get an entertaining and unforgettable response!
Then got to thinking about other scenarios w coaches or players who’ve passed away or had to leave the game for health reasons etc. (Gleason in NO for ex). Not sure NO builds a statue of him if he plays 10 years in the NFL and his last 6 with the Chargers. But it was entirely appropriate what they did for the fans, city, and Steve.
Guess for me there’s no right/wrong answers. And more importantly what would Leach say if you asked him that question! Bet you’d get an entertaining and unforgettable response!
Someone did ask him. Don't remember who the reporter was, but it was about what he'd want on his tombstone, or his obituary. His answer was just what you'd expect: 'What do I care? I'm dead.'
Mine is a smidge more philosophical and more one on one. He will have a room or a building named after him. But my girls asked me the same question as yours this am. I told him you honor him by taking his life lesson and applying it as he did. Live like tomorrow isn't guaranteed, Be passionate about what you do and passionate about your family and friends; and don't be afraid to be bold and live life as who you are.
Tron and Yaki would kick in $50 each for the "Paul Wulff Shi**er" in the recruiting lounge
Remember, we have a home and home with Mississippi St., with the Pullman game in 2031.
Sad, as it would have been fun to have a CML homecoming.
Sad, as it would have been fun to have a CML homecoming.
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F it, let’s throw CPW into the mix. Could name blue heart thing after him? Other ideas- The Rolo vaccination clinic at Pullman Regional Hospital
I was sort of hoping that game would be a homecoming of sorts for Leach.
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to name one of the bathrooms for CPW? Maybe the one that gets plugged most frequently?
Don't forget the Paul Wulff Nasal Hygiene Center at Pullman Memorial Hospital. I just hope someday they can get a donor to allow us to rename the Deon Burnett Tunnel.
??
Tron famously referenced the toilet CPW stopped up after he ate too much chili on an in-home recruiting visit.
Was there some other incident on that trip to Florida?
The best thing about the tunnel idea is that we only have to name the exit for Burnett, and only in the 2nd half (maybe make it the Burnett-de Laura tunnel?). So, we can also sell the naming rights for the entrance and for the 1st half.
We need to build a statue of Coach Leach entering the stadium. I’m ready to send a donation to get it started.
I'm hugly disappointed that there is no bronze statue of Bob Robertson. I think Chun only knew Bob for a few years, (and when Bob was end of life, as well, not in his prime), which doesn't help him truly understand the magnitude the legend Bob Robertson was.
And may I add, before there was television, there was Bob Robertson. Specifically, before our games were broadcast live on TV weekly.
Bob was bigger than life, when all we had was radio. Arguably, the most remarkable and best play by play ever for the COUGS, since 1964. That's what defines a legendary status.
Shame and disgrace there is no statue.
I wonder how much money could be raised for the cause, fabrication and installation of an extraordinary bronze statue of Bob Robertson?
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I could see something for Bob, but I don't know that it's shameful there's no statue yet. He just passed a couple year ago. I could see something for him similar to what the Mariners have done for Niehaus. Alternatively, they could name the press box after him and put some nice signage up there by the announcers' space as a reminder of his legacy.
As for Leach and Price, they both merit statues, IMO. I would put Leach's over by the FOB / west entrance, and Price's over on the east side, maybe close to the Cougar Pride statue. Leach in some ways is linked with the FOB, and the spot for Price would be a nice one that reflected his pride in the school and all he did.
Not sure if people have seen this, but there are some calls for Leach to get into the College Football Hall of Fame. It apparently has an arbitrary .600 winning percentage requirement and he was a single win short of that at .596. Really makes some of those losses like that 60-59 cluster or the New Mexico Bowl sting even more. In view of the places he coached at and their historical performances, especially, I'm hoping they make an exception. I don't know if they associate coaches with a particular team, other than talking about them on a plaque, but it would be cool if he gets in and his tenure at WSU was emphasized.
As for Leach and Price, they both merit statues, IMO. I would put Leach's over by the FOB / west entrance, and Price's over on the east side, maybe close to the Cougar Pride statue. Leach in some ways is linked with the FOB, and the spot for Price would be a nice one that reflected his pride in the school and all he did.
Not sure if people have seen this, but there are some calls for Leach to get into the College Football Hall of Fame. It apparently has an arbitrary .600 winning percentage requirement and he was a single win short of that at .596. Really makes some of those losses like that 60-59 cluster or the New Mexico Bowl sting even more. In view of the places he coached at and their historical performances, especially, I'm hoping they make an exception. I don't know if they associate coaches with a particular team, other than talking about them on a plaque, but it would be cool if he gets in and his tenure at WSU was emphasized.
Tacoma Rainiers has a dedicated Bob Robertson broadcast booth plaque, but 80% of the fans would really never see it, or notice it. A statue would be noticed by all. There's also a Ken Griffey, Jr. right outside T-Mobile Park main entrance.
Yes, Leach is. .4% away from qualifying for the College Hall of Fame. With a petition, or enough requests, we hope they will grant an exception.
Pretty sure the broadcast booth has Bob Robertson's name on it already.
I think we do a sort of Hall of Heroes thing - not full statues, but maybe busts or engravings of our luminaries with a plaque that explains them. Sort of like the Yankees Monument Park, maybe built around the Cougar statue. It would have Hein and Thompson as the two players with their numbers retired. Price, Leach, Robertson, Glenn Johnson. There'd have to be some kind of criteria established for consideration
The Niehaus thing was exactly what I was thinking too.
Leach needs a statue. Price likely will get one as well for two Rose Bowls. Never liked the way he left though.
In hindsight I don’t think Price liked the way he left either.
Yeah...some ridiculous losses that would have gotten him to that threshold...but rounding they can get to 0.60.
I feel like Price and Leach are both worthy of honor on campus in the orbit of the football and athletics facilities. What those two achieved at a place people didn't think it was possible was great, but Price was a guy who gave second chances to talented kids that had screwed up, and WSU was Leach's second chance after the Texas Tech drama. Neither was a saint, but that redemptive element in their arcs is something people associated with the university can feel good about. WSU isn't the kind of place where people rack up 200 wins and national titles, but it IS a place where sometimes the planets align and the football program could give the university community something to be genuinely excited about, and the two men that were best at creating those moments were big personalities who did things a bit differently. I feel like that has value worthy of commemoration.
