For the last 115 days, I've written this daily link post. During that time, I've probably linked to nearly 1,000 articles. Typically, it's the same thing everyday. Vince Grippi's blogpost, Grippi's story, maybe a link from the Seattle Times, possibly Ted Miller's ESPN blog. All of that has changed in the few days since Mike Leach became head coach at Washington State.
It seems in the last three days every major college football writer has written about Mike Leach and WSU. I've linked feature stories from Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, the Wall Street Journal and even the New York Times. There were days in the past where I struggled to find more than four links, now we've had to put up multiple link posts in a day just to get to them all.
Bill Moos has often talked about the "sizzle" and creating a buzz around Washington State. His move to hire Leach was the equivalent of taking a fire hose to a hornets nest. Maybe this is just WSU's 15 minutes of fame. I guess that will depend on how many games the Cougars win, but at least temporarily, WSU is back on the national radar for the first time in a long time.
The sizzle is there, I can't wait for the steak.
Leach to WSU, WSU to the Nation - WSU Blog articles - MyNorthwest.com
In case you're wondering about the flag above, I simply can't keep myself from putting it up before every post. I'm just very very very fired up and it's not going away...which doesn't typically describe me after losing an Apple Cup.
Moos, Washington State 'Man Up' with Leach signing - WSU Blog articles - MyNorthwest.com
On Monday, Washington State athletic director Bill Moos announced they were parting ways with head football coach Paul Wulff after his 9-40 record didn't live up to expectations. Not even 24 hours later, the Cougars found their next head coach in Mike Leach - a substantial hire for a school that hasn't had much success the last several years.
Leach looks forward to getting started - Spokesman.com - Dec. 3, 2011
PULLMAN – Mike Leach is pretty much staying out of the limelight until his unveiling in front of the Washington State faithful Tuesday at noon, but that doesn’t mean he’s unreachable.
Mailbag: Playoffs, new hires & Crazy Ladies - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
"Mike Riley" from Corvallis, Ore., writes: Am I [Oregon State coach Mike Riley] on the hot-seat because Mike Leach is at WAZZU? I make my living finding hidden talent. Leach made his living finding hidden talent in Texas that Texas, a&m and Oklahoma didn't want. I found the Rodger's brothers in Texas and brought them to the NW, but will WSU now find these types?
Fellow coaches praise Leach’s system - Spokesman.com - Dec. 2, 2011
When Mike Price was the head football coach at Washington State University, he used to conduct an annual clinic on the one-back offense that served him and the Cougars so well.
Leach speaks to Arute - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Dec. 2, 2011
Have a quick post for you summarizing Mike Leach's appearance on SiriusXM, talking football and what's happening with him now. Read on.
Washington State Was So Desperate For A Football Coach, They Risked Angering ESPN
Mike Leach, who was last seen being fired at Texas Tech, has been hired to be the next football coach at Washington State.
Mike Leach has recruits excited - ESPN
The Pac-12 just got a whole lot better and definitely a lot more entertaining. When Washington State hired former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach earlier this week, it not only hired one of the biggest personalities in college football, but the perfect coach to reenergize a program that has been the league doormat for the past few years.
Ticket sales increasing at Washington State - seattlepi.com
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — The hiring of new football coach Mike Leach has certainly excited the fan base at Washington State.
Leach shares thoughts on WSU players, history - Spokesman.com - Dec. 2, 2011
PULLMAN – Mike Leach is pretty much staying out of the limelight until his unveiling in front of the Washington State faithful Tuesday at noon, but that doesn’t mean he’s unreachable.
Leach taking over at Washington State - CBSSports.com
As we first reported, Mike Leach is taking over as the head coach at Washington State. Leach, who was offered the position late Tuesday afternoon, agreed to a five-year contract. Leach will travel to Washington on Monday and be introduced at a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 6 at noon in Pullman.
Friday Mailbag: The changing face of the Pac-12 - CBSSports.com
Not really. I think realistically aside from Washington State, the other school that seemed to be genuinely interested in Leach was Kansas. He has been close to their AD for a long time.
College Sports | Washington State women beat San Diego State | College basketball | Seattle Times Newspaper
PULLMAN — Ireti Amojo made four three-pointers and scored 16 points as Washington State beat San Diego State 65-50 Friday night.
WSU, Eastern meet for 65th time - Spokesman.com - Dec. 2, 2011
PULLMAN – Just call it being neighborly. Washington State begins a week of facing two of its closest basketball neighbors today by hosting Eastern Washington, a school it’s played 64 times in its history.