WSU kicks off spring practices

The Washington State Cougars are now one-fifteenth the way through their spring practices after yesterday’s opener, and it probably won’t shock you to learn that not a whole heck of a lot came out of it, news wise — coach Mike Leach said “it was a good first day,” which I’m fairly certain every coach says after the first day.

As far as positions to watch, Cougfan’s Braden Johnson reports ...

• Anthony Gordon took the first quarterback snaps with the first team, then Trey Tinsley took the second snaps with the first team. Cammon Cooper occasionally stepped in there, too, while John Bledsoe and early enrollee Gunner Cruz were with the scout teamers.
• Redshirt freshmen Jarrett Kingston and Cade Beresford got the first looks at Andre Dillard’s old left tackle spot.
• Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei was on the starting defensive line in place of Logan Tago.

Spring practice also is a time where dudes sit out for all kinds of reasons. Here’s a quick rundown of notable non-participants:

• Inside receiver Jamir Calvin was seen on a knee scooter on the sidelines ($).
• Outside receiver Dezmon Patmon participated in a limited fashion.
• It appears defensive ends Derek Moore and Hunter Mattox are no longer with the team.
• And, of course, grad transfer quarterback Gage Gubrud isn’t participating because of a lower leg injury suffered last month during “Midnight Maneuvers.”

Johnson reports that the DBs had a noteworthy day, which you can either interpret as awesome because they’re mostly newcomers or terrible because the quarterbacks looking to replace Gardner Minshew II were throwing interceptions. Ah, the magic of spring practice!

With that, let’s get to some visuals. Here’s the inaugural spring pep talk:

And some pretty photos:

And, finally, post-practice interviews. Even if you’re not all that interested in what Leach has to say, there are highlights of practice mixed in, which is the only place you’re going to find those:

SPRING DAY 1: Coug Anthony Gordon more vocal, with plenty of zip - Cougfan.com
January DB enrollees snag three of the four interceptions on the day

Washington State football opens spring practice with chance for new leaders to step up | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State teammates who enjoyed that show last season realize they are going to have to be the show this year.

For Cougs, spring might not settle much at QB | Sports | lmtribune.com
At certain other positions, the narratives will be strikingly new. At quarterback, 2019 spring football drills at Washington State will seem oddly familiar.

NEW WSU SPRING ROSTER: Big gainers, additions and departures - Cougfan.com
Rising offensive tackle the biggest gainer during winter workouts

Basketball Coaching Search Speculation

Does WSU president Kirk Schulz read CougCenter’s advice on the coaching search? Evidence points to yes ...

Kirk Schulz: WSU will hire a system basketball coach - Cougfan.com
SEATTLE — Washington State President Kirk Schulz says the next basketball coach at Washington State doesn’t have “to look just likes the Bennetts”

Klay Thompson lobbies for USF’s Kyle Smith to get Washington State job - SFChronicle.com
Warriors guard Klay Thompson would like to see his alma mater, Washington State, hire San Francisco’s Kyle Smith to replace Ernie Kent as head men’s basketball coach.

WSU search: Going Moton! Would Chun choose his FAU runner up? - Cougfan.com
AD’s hire of hoops head coach while at FAU lends intrigue not for the guy he picked, but for the one he didn't

WSU search: Pat Chun's Ohio State history leads to possibilities - Cougfan.com
John Groce signed future top-five NBA Draft picks Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. in 2006

Robbie Cowgill: Ben Johnson can return WSU to Pack-Line success - Cougfan.com
ROBBIE COWGILL, one of the linchpins of Washington State's fabled Bennett Years as a screen-setting, shot-blocking, big-time defender who could never gain weight, believes

Everything Else

Tennis hosts Boise State at Hollingbery Fieldhouse – The Daily Evergreen
WSU tennis will face Boise State on Saturday in its last non-conference match before returning to conference play for the remainder of the season. The Broncos find their success at home as they are 6-1 in Idaho, but haven’t won a single road game yet. Boise State has faced two Pac-12 teams this season, losing...

AREA COLLEGES: WSU standout Weaver earns National team call-back | Sports | lmtribune.com
Washington State forward Morgan Weaver has been called back into U-23 Women’s National team camp ahead of the Thorns Spring Invitational.

T&F Outdoor Season Continues at Whitworth - Washington State University Athletics
Cougs prepped to compete at the Sam Adams Invitational

WSU to Host USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coaching Course - Washington State University Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. -- The WSU Strength and Conditioning Department will host its bi-annual USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coaching Course April 6-7 at the Bohler Athletic

Duarte to Represent Cougars at NCAA Swimming Championships - Washington State University Athletics
Mackenzie Duarte holds the school record in the 200 breast at 2:09.47.

WSU Heads to California to Face No. 22 UC Irvine, Loyola Marymount - Washington State University Athletics
The Cougars open a series at UC Irvine Friday.

Four Teams Will Travel to Pullman for Spring Opener - Washington State University Athletics
Gonzaga, Oregon State, Loyola Marymount, and Seattle Pacific will travel to the Palouse for rowing's spring opening regatta.

Robert Franks Named to NABC All-District First Team - Washington State University Athletics
Franks becomes the ninth Cougar to pick up NABC First Team All-District Honors.