The Washington State Cougars officially announced a coaching change on Friday, with linebackers coach Travis Niekamp becoming the football development coordinator for the Cougars. Head coach Paul Wulff will now look to fill the position vacated by Niekamp, who will instead work in an administrative role going forward.
The move is the first major coaching change following the 2010 season, though at least one other -- involving defensive line coach Malik Roberson -- has been rumored.
Here's the full press release, provided by Washington State Sports Information Director Bill Stevens.
Washington State University Head Football Coach Paul Wulff announced Friday that Travis Niekamp will become the Cougars' Coordinator of Football Development, effectively immediately.
Niekamp, who has served the past three seasons on Wulff's staff as linebackers coach, moves to the newly-created position where his duties will include coordinating WSU's football camps and clinics, oversee on-campus recruiting activities, along with other administrative aspects of the football program.
"Travis will continue to play a large role in the growth of our player development and overall football program," said Wulff. "He is extremely well organized, a tireless worker and understands the necessity of this position, all factors that make us better.
"(WSU Athletic Director) Bill Moos and I have similar goals, the most important of which is to win now," Wulff continued. "He recognizes what it takes to achieve those goals and by supporting this much-needed position, it makes us more competitive on a national stage."
Prior to WSU, Niekamp spent four seasons on Wulff's staff at Eastern Washington, and has also spent four years at the United State Military Academy and two years at his alma mater, Illinois State.
Wulff added that he will begin an immediate search to fill the linebacker coach position on his staff.