Mike Leach is still a popular name in coaching rumors

Coaching rumors and speculation are part of college football. Usually, it doesn’t really heat up until bowl season. But, this season the fire is getting stoked early. Florida State fired head coach Willie Taggart on Sunday, bringing an onslaught of speculation months ahead of schedule.

And once again, Mike Leach’s name is a popular one to toss in the hat. Like here:

Feldman: Identifying candidates to be the next Florida State football coach – The Athletic
The Seminoles remain in the early stages of a rebuild but still have one of the most appealing jobs in the FBS for coaches.

And here:

Florida State Football: 10 Coaching Candidates to Replace Willie Taggart
Mike Leach, Head Coach, Washington State

Leach’s name has popped up for Power 5 openings over the last couple of years. He’s 53-44 since taking over Washington State and previously went 84-43 at Texas Tech (2000-09). Leach is regarded as one of the top offensive minds in college football.

And here:

Florida State coaching candidates: Bob Stoops, Mark Stoops lead replacements for Willie Taggart - CBSSports.com
Mike Leach, Washington State coach: Depending on who you ask, Leach nearly left Washington State for Tennessee a couple of years ago. Given how much time he spends in Key West, Florida, you have to think he'd have some interest in coaching in the Sunshine State -- even at the opposite end.

I’m sure this list could have gone off if I dug hard enough.

As long as Mike Leach is coaching college football — and at a place that is not Alabama — he is going to be part of coaching rumors and speculation. This year, we just get an extra few months of it.

Football:

Washington State at California: what to know | WSU Cougars | lmtribune.com
Washington State will play California at 4 p.m. Saturday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.

Cal is eight-point underdogs to Washington State at home - California Golden Blogs
The California Golden Bears are in must-win mode, and they begin their final home stand in Berkeley against a Washington State Cougars offense that’s playing their best football of the season. Washington State opens as eight-point favorites in Berkeley, with the over-under set at 51.

Defensive end Justin Lohrenz gives Washington State second commit in two-hour span | The Spokesman-Review
An edge rusher from the Centennial State pledged to Washington State on Sunday, giving the Cougars their second oral commit in a span of just two hours.