When the WSU training camp schedule was released, some thought it was strange that the Cougs were starting camp in Pullman. Every year since 2013, WSU has kicked off fall camp in Lewiston, at Sacajawea Middle School. This year, however, Washington State is spending two days on campus before heading south.

Why? Because of those dang NCAA rules.

In April, the NCAA passed rules banning two-a-day practices. That part didn’t have any impact on Leach, who has never employed two-a-day practices. So the Cougs went along as scheduled and booked the practice fields in the L-C Valley, along with the dorms at Lewis-Clark State for a training camp starting Friday.

Then, the NCAA passed another rule. In June, they decided that schools would be allowed to start camps even earlier to help them fit all 29 practices into the training camp period. The Cougs moved up camp, but didn’t move the reservations in Lewiston.

“I think [the NCAA] should be allowed to change the rules like once every five years maybe,” Leach told the media, including the new Spokesman Review beat reporter Theo Lawson, in a pre-camp teleconference on Tuesday.

Leach went on to point out a couple of recent rule changes he disagreed with, including the ban on satellite camps. “This notion that any time there’s a problem, let’s make a rule or some sideshow Bob raises his hand, ‘Oh, I’ve got a rule. Let’s make a rule. Who can invent a rule?’ OK, and so then once they do all that crap there and pretty soon they’re meeting at resorts and country clubs and stuff like that. And coming up with, I mean literally some of the stupidest rules under the sun.”

Football is back ladies and gentleman... And so is the art that is the Mike Leach press conference.

The Cougs will hit the field later today in Pullman before moving to Lewiston on Friday. They’ll spend 8 days in the L-C valley before returning to Pullman on Saturday, August 12. You can find the full schedule here.

Football

WSU’s Mike Leach: NCAA rule changes an issue that needs to be addressed | The Spokesman-Review
Mike Leach isn’t necessarily bothered by a recent NCAA ruling that disallows teams from holding multiple full-contact practices on the same day. His teams at Washington State, nor those at Texas Tech, ever employed two-a-days to begin with.

Three positions to watch as WSU football opens fall camp | The Seattle Times
As the Cougars open fall camp, Mike Leach says there's no glaring weakness on his team — but here's which position battles to watch throughout camp.

Pelluer, Cougs ready to shake opening-day jinx | Washington State University | union-bulletin.com
Sept. 2 can’t come soon enough for Washington State linebacker Peyton Pelluer and the Cougar defense.

Ranking college football's top 25 offenses. | Sports on Earth
limited number of big plays holds the Cougars back a bit -- they were 40th in yards per play -- but this is a Mike Leach Air Raid offense with an experienced, prolific quarterback in Luke Falk, who has over 10,000 career passing yards.

Basketball

Cougars to open Wooden Legacy with St. Joe’s on Thanksgiving | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State men’s hoops will open the 2017 Wooden Legacy tournament on Thanksgiving Day with a first-round contest against Atlantic 10 opponent Saint Joseph’s, ESPN Regional Television announced Tuesday.