HCA: Ken Wilson gets a big raise, Gardner Minshew impresses at Senior Bowl

When news broke on Tuesday that Washington State Cougars linebackers coach Ken Wilson was trading in his crimson and gray for green and yellow, it seemed logical that he probably wasn’t leaving for a lateral move.

We now know that he’s getting a significant raise to make the change to the Oregon Ducks: He’ll make $350,000 per year on a three-year contract, which is a nearly 20 percent raise over the $296,000 he had been making at WSU.

While we don’t know the details of his coaching responsibilities just yet, in this interview with Cougfan ($), Wilson said, “I’m at a point in my career where I wanted to get out and have a little more responsibility,” saying that he has a goal of becoming a coordinator or head coach.

(Total speculation on my part, but I wonder if Wilson wanted to be coordinator after Alex Grinch left WSU and got passed over for Claeys.)

At any rate, still a total bummer to see him leave, but if Wilson thinks he can advance his career by making the move, good for him. There’s been no news on who Mike Leach might hire to replace Wilson.

Everyone loves Gardner Minshew

In a completely shocking turn of events, Gardner Minshew II is winning hearts and minds this week at the Senior Bowl. Reporters are loving their time interviewing him ...

... and he’s doing football things, too.

Before he arrived at Senior Bowl, Washington State’s Gardner Minshew was already learning Kyle Shanahan’s offense | The Spokesman-Review
On the field, he’s the revered leader and the consummate competitor. Behind the scenes, those in Gardner Minshew’s football circle also describe him as the dogged student.

Yet another reunion for quarterback companions Trace McSorley, Gardner Minshew at Senior Bowl | The Spokesman-Review
The Washington State and Penn State quarterbacks represent one-fourth of the signal-callers hoping to enhance their NFL Draft profiles this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

(What passes for) Basketball!

Oregon State dominates on the boards in defeating Washington State | The Spokesman-Review
Stephen Thompson Jr. scored 22 points, with four 3-pointers, six rebounds and seven assists, as Oregon State defeated Washington State 90-77 on Thursday night.

Kent: More growing to do for Cougs after loss at Oregon State - Cougfan.com
Franks and Elleby scored in double figures but WSU led for just 25 seconds.

Defenseless Cougs fall in Corvallis – Cougar Sports Network
Washington State failed to rebound effectively, but they made up for it by not playing defense.

Balanced Attack Leads Oregon State Past Washington State, 90-77 - Building The Dam
The Beavers took care of business against the Cougars.

OSU men's basketball: Dominant effort sets up big game with Huskies | Basketball | gazettetimes.com
Oregon State took care of the week’s undercard. Now bring on the main event.

Links

Cougars Face SMU at ITA Kickoff Weekend - Washington State University Athletics
Senior Tiffany Mylonas is off to a 15-0 start in singles play this season.

Cougars Earn CSCAA Academic Accolades for the 16th Time - Washington State University Athletics
Cougars' highest GPA in ten years helps them earn CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honors.

McCoy Named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Week - Washington State University Athletics
McCoy is the first Cougar to be named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Week.

Cougars Head to Seattle and Albuquerque for Indoor Meets - Washington State University Athletics
T&F look to keep the momentum rolling in third week of indoor action.

Round Two, Cougars Host No. 5 Oregon Friday - Washington State University Athletics
WSU takes on its second-straight top-10 team in the Ducks.

Cougar Tennis Adds Maddie Egan for 2019-20 - Washington State University Athletics
Egan will join the program in the fall of 2019.

WSU Spirit Squad Makes History at National Championships - Washington State University Athletics
The Crimson Girls had their highest finish in school history, placing fifth.