If you’ve been following the news on Nick Rolovich’s first coaching staff at Washington State, you probably saw Tuesday’s news coming. We first wrote about the reported hire nine days ago. It was around that same time that, during an interview with KJR-AM in Seattle, Rolovich declined to confirm a report on Jake Dickert becoming his new defensive coordinator, but added “sometimes when there’s smoke there’s fire.”

His former team, Wyoming, even announced Dickert’s departure, naming Washington State as his new destination.

We knew it was happening. And Tuesday, it officially happened.

In a release, Rolovich and WSU announced Dickert as the newest defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Cougs. In a statement Rolovich said he was “pumped” about bringing his former Mountain West Conference rival along with him to the Palouse.

“We have competed against him the past couple years and his defenses play tough, they play physical and they play as one,” Rolovich said. “Jake came highly recommended from a number of coaches around the country and he has been very successful in recruiting and developing players from this area of the country.”

Dickert has been in the coaching ranks for the past 13 years, including the last three at Wyoming. Last season he was elevated to the title of defensive coordinator, and had plenty of success with the Cowboys. In 2019, Wyoming was sixth in the FBS in red zone defense, 11th in rush defense (allowing 107.1 yards per game) and 11th in scoring defense (allowing 17.8 points per game). In fact, the Cowboys allowed more the 22 points just once, in a 37-31 upset win against SEC foe Missouri.

Dickert took to Twitter on Tuesday to express his excitement about joining the WSU coaching staff.

Washington State also took to Twitter to spread the news of the hire. The team’s account posted this quote from NFL player Andrew Wingard talking about his former position coach at Wyoming.

With this hire finally official, and the (reported) addition of Andre Allen from Hawaii as receivers coach yesterday, we have a mostly complete idea of what Rolovich’s coaching staff will look like next season.

Football

Former Hawaii WR coach, longtime CCSF assistant Andre Allen moving to Washington State | The Spokesman-Review
Former Hawaii wide receivers coach Andre Allen has accepted the same position on Nick Rolovich’s staff at Washington State, multiple sources confirmed to The Spokesman-Review.

Jake Dickert Named Cougars' Defensive Coordinator - Washington State University Athletics
Dickert spent the last three seasons helping produce top defenses at Wyoming.

Basketball

Midweek Showdown With the Sun Devils Awaits - Washington State University Athletics
The Cougs return home where they are 10-2 on the year (9-2) inside of Beasley, to take on the Sun Devils. Cougs have won 3 of the last 5 against ASU, however the Sun Devils have won 2 of the last 3 in Pullman.

CJ Elleby, Washington State host Arizona State | The Spokesman-Review
Two guards will be on display as Remy Martin and Arizona State will go up against CJ Elleby and Washington State.

‘He was awesome.’ Washington State’s DJ Rodman reflects on relationship forged with Kobe Bryant at young age | The Spokesman-Review
Young, bold and ambitious, DJ Rodman wasn’t afraid to make an introduction the first time he spotted Kobe Bryant milling the sideline of his sister’s youth soccer game in Southern California.