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Well, that didn't take long.
Two days after it became known Jeff Hironaka was on his way to Portland State, Ken Bone replaced Hiro with former Boise State head coach Rod Jensen. Jensen will serve as the director of player development for WSU. He comes with plenty of experience, including 10 seasons as a head coach at BSU and more recently the College of Idaho.
Boise State ranked among the top defensive teams several times during Jensen's tenure there both as a head coach and as an assistant. The Broncos finished in the top 25 in points per game allowed seven times in Jensen's 19 seasons as a coach. That doesn't factor in pace, but WSU is billing Jensen as a defensive coach.
On the surface, it's an interesting hire. Jensen's contract at the College of Idaho wasn't renewed after three seasons which isn't a great sign, but he does have experience and was an assistant at Virginia and Penn State. It may not be a grand slam, but it seems like WSU could have done much worse.
Men's basketball:
WSU hires Rod Jensen to hoops staff - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - June 5, 2013
Washington State added a member to its basketball coaching staff on Wednesday, announcing the hire of veteran coach Rod Jensen as the team’s new director of player development.
Cougars Add Rod Jensen to Men's Basketball Staff - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University men's basketball has hired Rod Jensen as director of player development to replace Jeff Hironaka, who left WSU to join Portland State University as associate head men's basketball coach, head coach Ken Bone announced Wednesday.
Football:
Brian and Jeff joined the guys from Addicted to Quack for a podcast talking all things WSU.
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ATQ Podcast: Previewing WSU with Jeff Nusser and Brian Floyd of CougCenter - Addicted To Quack
The ATQ Podcast has a new show out this week, and Matt Daddy and I continue our Pac-12 preview series, as we're joined by Jeff Nusser and Brian Floyd of our excellent WSU blog, CougCenter.
Poll: Pac-12's receiving leader in 2013? - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
"Other" also is a dark horse. It could include Washington State's Gabe Marks, who likely will flourish this year as the Cougars' go-to guy in Mike Leach's "Air Raid" offense. And speaking of pass-happy offenses, that's what both California's Chris Harper and Colorado's Paul Richardson will be playing for this fall, as new coaches Sonny Dykes and Mike MacIntyre like to throw the ball around. A lot.
Mike Leach Asks You: Three Best Movies Of All Time? - Pacific Takes
We open up a 12-Pac and talk best films ever made.
Baseball:
The baseball season may have been a disappointment, but Jason Monda wasn't. Now, the junior is preparing for the MLB Draft where he could go as high as the second round. If that happens, Monda is likely headed for the pros.
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WSU’s Monda enjoying 2nd draft - Baseball - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington news, weather and sports
Jason Monda has been down this road before. The 2010 Capital High School graduate and current Washington State junior knows what it’s like to be drafted by a Major League Baseball organization. His senior year at Capital, he was drafted in the 32nd round by the Colorado Rockies. He said thanks, but no thanks to the Rockies and honored his commitment to coach Donnie Marbut at Washington State, where his father, Greg, played for the Cougars.