WSU spring football 2018 has arrived

It’s late March and the Washington State Cougars are heading back to the practice field 15 times over the next month, starting today at 2:30 p.m.

So why am I not more excited?

The basketball team stunk. The baseball team has been bad. This should be a welcome respite from all of that, and yet ... meh.

Some of it is the “we don’t really learn much of anything from spring practices” part of me, but I think the last couple of months have just made it real difficult. The team fell on its face in the two biggest games of the year. Mike Leach tried to leave, and only didn’t because the AD who tried to hire him got fired. Tyler Hilinski died. Half the coaching staff bailed. The football program might or might not be doing a good job helping players cope with all of this.

And there are lots of personnel losses that would have made it reasonable to conclude this year will be a step back, independent of all that.

Mixed in there was a really good recruiting class (by WSU standards), but man. It’s been a rough go. Perhaps just getting people back on the field, doing what they do, will be a good thing for the program, and for fans — another step in the process of healing from Hilinski’s death.

Because if there’s one thing we know, Leach is going to do what he does.

For what it’s worth, I was going to write about the big storylines of the spring, but other people already did that, and I don’t have anything unique to add to the conversation, so I’ll just direct you their way in the links. Quarterbacks, defense, offensive line, coaching staff ... it’s all there.

How are you feeling about spring practice? More excited than me?

And here’s the current spring practice schedule, which has had some minor time changes from the first announcement, in case you’re planning on showing up to one or more of them:

Day Date Time

Thursday March 22 2:30 p.m.

Saturday March 24 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday March 27 2:30 p.m.

Thursday March 29 2:30 p.m.

Saturday March 31 TBA

Tuesday April 3 2:30 p.m.

Thursday April 5 2:30 p.m.

Saturday April 7 TBA

Tuesday April 10 2:30 p.m.

Thursday April 12 2:30 p.m.

Saturday April 14 TBA

Tuesday April 17 2:30 p.m.

Thursday April 19 2:30 p.m.

Saturday April 21 1 p.m. - Spring game, Joe Albi Stadium

Tuesday April 24 2:30 p.m.

Football

Washington State football: Wide ranging Q&A with Steve Spurrier Jr.
PULLMAN – Steve Spurrier Jr. is about to take part in his first spring at Washington State as the Cougs' new outside wide receivers coach but first things first – when is his famous dad coming out to the Palouse?

Washington State football: Mike Leach tabs top 3 QBs headed into spring ball
PULLMAN - The biggest question mark heading into spring football is at quarterback with five contenders, none of whom have taken a snap for Washington State. And even if he didn’t mean to, Mike Leach might have given a hint as to his top three headed into Thursday’s first spring practice.

WSU spring football preview: First-year coordinator Tracy Claeys begins to rebuild the defense | The Seattle Times
Washington State opens spring ball with a wealth of options at linebacker, and a surprisingly fast developing group of defensive linemen. But, the situation in the secondary is a little more concerning, says new defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys.

Washington State Football: 5 storylines to follow during 2018 spring ball
Washington State football heads into spring of 2018 with major question marks at key areas. What storylines should Cougars fans be following this spring?

As Washington State spring football camp arrives, here are five storylines to follow | The Spokesman-Review
Thursday marks the first day of the academic semester for the Washington State football team, that is, first day of spring camp.

Everything else

Don't blame Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott for the basketball meltdown
Controversial conference policies have a far greater impact on football, which requires deep systemic support, than basketball, which often depends on the whims of a few top talents.

CU Buffs football satellite camp recruiting schedule taking shape
MacIntyre said a typical recruiting class is composed of about 20-to-25 percent players evaluated at satellite camps. Notable additions to CU’s 2018 class who received scholarship offers from those events are defensive back Hasaan Hypolite (Missouri City, Texas), defensive end Tava Finau (Sacramento) and defensive back Lavon Wallace (Atwater, Calif.).

No. 39 WSU tussels with two teams in LA – The Daily Evergreen
WSU tennis will continue conference play when they face No. 41 University of Southern California on Friday before facing No. 13 University of California, Los Angeles, on Saturday less than 24 hours later.

Rowing eager to hit water to start spring season – The Daily Evergreen
WSU women’s rowing will launch its boats off the Crown Point Shores in Mission Bay, California, on Saturday to get the spring racing season started with the 45th annual San Diego Crew Classic regatta.