Hot Cougar Action: Spring practice, Ken Bone and more

We found out Ken Bone would return on Wednesday, but a day later WSU athletic director Bill Moos weighed in with his thought process on the decision.

From the sound of it, the decision wan't very hard for Moos to make as he said he had already decided to retain Bone prior to their season-wrap up meeting. Via Christian Caple.

"I pretty much decided that I was going to retain him," Moos said. "I did want to get a sense from him of where we were in regards to the program, the current players, incoming players that we had recruited and also his staff, so we had that discussion and at the end of it I told him I'm going to support him wholeheartedly."

Men's basketball:

Bone retained without ‘to-do list’ - Spokesman.com - March 29, 2013
PULLMAN – There was no ultimatum issued by Washington State athletic director Bill Moos to men’s basketball coach Ken Bone.

Moos: 'I really feel that Ken Bone can coach' - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - March 28, 2013
FROM PULLMAN — There were no ultimatums discussed. The coach wasn't made to plead for his job. Nor was he yelled at.

Football:

WSU held the fourth practice of spring football on Thursday and there are a few recaps below. Beyond the usual practice notes, we learned linebacker Darren Markle is no longer with the program. Safety Deone Bucannon also left Thursday's practice due to an apparent injury and while WSU doesn't talk about injuries, it's something to monitor.

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WSU chips away on Day 4 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - March 28, 2013
FROM PULLMAN — Things got a little heated on more than one occasion at Washington State's spring practice Thursday, though nothing too outlandish went down. Otherwise, things were pretty standard. Read on.

Cougar Football Spring Practice Recap, Day 4 - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State football practices in helmets and shoulder pads for just over two hours Thursday afternoon in Martin Stadium.

WSU linebacker has appetite to excel - Spokesman.com - March 29, 2013
PULLMAN – The biggest adjustment for Ivan McLennan at Washington State so far doesn’t necessarily involve X’s and O’s, though the junior-college transfer has a ways to go before he can fully grasp the buck linebacker position.

Baseball:

The baseball team dropped the first game of their series with Stanford on Thursday, losing 3-0. The loss isn't too alarming, however, as WSU ran into Mark Appel who is ridiculously good.

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Cougar Baseball Loses to Stanford - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Mark Appel tossed a four-hit shutout and struck out 10 as No. 23 Stanford defeated Washington State 3-0 in Pac-12 Conference baseball, Thursday at Bailey-Brayton Field.