HCA: Who will replace Marty Lees?

WSU fired baseball coach Marty Lees on Tuesday with three games remaining in the season. Lees ouster came after him compiling a 70-137 record overall with an abysmal 11-39 this season. Why Chun didn’t wait for the season to end is not clear yet, but it may be because he already has a candidate in mind he wants to hire quickly. This is of course pure speculation. Since we are speculating, let’s take a look at some potential candidates rumored out there on the interwebs that could make sense for Chun to consider.

Brad Hill-Former Kansas State head coach

The head coach at WSU president Kurt Schulz’s former employer Kansas State from 2004-2018. Hill was a two time Big 12 coach of the year and compiled an overall record of 880-463. He resigned following the 2018 season, but is the most accomplished baseball coach in Wildcat history. Before taking the K-State job Hill won a Division II national championship at Central Missouri.

Travis Jewett-Tulane head coach

WSU alumni who has been the head man at Tulane the last two years. Jewett compiled a record of 52-64 over first two years with the Green Wave. They are currently having a good season with a 32-24 record. He was an assistant for the Cougars from 2005-2009 before taking assistant coaching gigs at national powerhouses Arizona State and Vanderbilt before being hired by Tulane. He served as the associate head coach at Vandy. Jewett is known for his expertise in hitting instruction. He also has recruited numerous major leaguers in his career.

Jason Kelly-Washington associate head coach

The associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for UW, Kelly was the national assistant coach of the year in 2018. Kelly is known for his great work with his pitching staffs at UW and before that at Cal Poly. He is a Cal Poly alumni who grew up in California.

Mark Machtolf-Gonzaga head coach(Full disclosure: Machtolf was my high school football coach and history teacher)

Machtolf has served as Gonzaga’s head coach since 2004 compiling a record of 450-363 and is a three time WCC coach of the year. Machtolf played baseball at Stanford after being a three-sport star at Gonzaga Prep. He served as an assistant at Gonzaga from 1996-2003 before getting the head job. My guess is that he would be a tough get for WSU.

John McCormack-Florida Atlantic head coach

The head coach of AD Pat Chun’s former employer at Florida Atlantic. McCormack has been very successful with a record of 317-203 for the Owls. He took the team to a 43-19 record in 2018. They are currently 37-18.

Do any of these names get you excited?

Baseball

WSU baseball coaching search: 10 names to watch
Some of the names sure to be floated include two Cougs with distinguished MLB careers

Football

Athlon’s All-Pac-12 team: Something for every WSU fan
Large number of overall picks for Cougs including pair of first-teamers

Sorensen: Sizing up, talking with EWU-turned-WSU QB Gage Gubrud
AS THE COLOR ANALYST for Eastern Washington football broadcasts, I had a ringside seat for every snap taken by Gage Gubrud. And I will tell you this

Tennis

Cougar Run Ends at 2019 NCAA Tennis Championship - Washington State University -Athletics
Cougar duo end season with program-best 27 victories.