Wednesday, May 22, 2013 @ 8:47am

Coaches best-paid state employees in Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - College coaches are the top-paid state employees in Washington, according to a list recently released by the state Office of Financial Management.

University of Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian earned $2.7 million last year, followed by Washington State University football coach Mike Leach at $2.3 million. Third on the list is UW basketball coach Lorenzo Romar at $1.35 million, and fourth is WSU coach Ken Bone at $855,000.

Coaches are paid from athletic department revenue, such as ticket sales and television rights or gifts, not taxpayer funds, The Olympian reported ( http://bit.ly/13Ij6JR).

The first non-coach is fifth on the list _ Washington State University President Elson Floyd at $625,000, and sixth is UW president Michael Young at $563,000.

A total of 68 state employees earned more than $300,000. Most of them are in higher education, and many are paid through research grants, not taxes or tuition. Many of the highest-paid UW employees are in high-demand, high-paying fields such as medicine or computer science, the Office of Financial Management said.

Christine Gregoire earned $162,000 as governor of Washington in 2012, after forfeiting a portion of her pay when other state workers' pay was cut. Most saw a 3 percent reduction since July 2011.

Salaries for the governor and other statewide elected officials and judges are set by the Washington Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 @ 9:18am

Coug fans shouldn't be told to temper expectations

Not sure if you caught the Associated Press story from Yakima on Monday, the one in which Bill Moos made a lukewarm assessment of the 2013 football season, Mike Leach's second as head coach.

"I don't think I would forecast that we are assured of six wins this year," the Washington State athletic director said. "We've got a tough schedule. We've to open on the road at Auburn and then at USC, but we'll be better. I don't know if the scoreboard will show it. We're setting the foundation for what I believe will be a very strong program. Year 3 is when I believe it will show."

Washington State went 3-9 during Mike Leach's first season as head coach. (AP)

I know – it takes time to change the culture, time to get every player on board, time to rebuild the offensive line among other things. I also get that there weren't a lot of talented players for Leach to work with last year. As Moos pointed out in the AP story, "The guy is a great football coach, he's not the Wizard of Oz."

But we were 4-8 in 2011 and seemingly poised for a decent season at least, especially with a rock-star coach coming to town. Or so I thought. Didn't you?

Those games against Colorado, Utah and ASU were as bad as any games during the Paul Wulff era. I never saw 3-9 coming, and we were an eyelash from being 2-10 and going winless in the Pac-12 until the miraculous Apple Cup rally.

If you criticized Wulff during his tenure, it was more than acceptable – he had won at Eastern Washington, but there were questions about whether he could do it at a higher level.

But boy, if you criticize Leach you'll hear it from many alums who think you're not a true Coug. I was actually told by a prominent WSU booster that if I wasn't 100 percent supportive of Leach, I would lose my right to be a Coug and should no longer be able to say: "Go Cougs."

These fans basically feel that what happened last year – when the bad apples and slackers were weeded out – was a necessary step toward building a successful program. They also point to Leach's shiny record at Texas Tech and the fact that he led the Red Raiders to 10 consecutive bowl games.

And you know what? They're probably right. I'm guessing in 2014 when we're at the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl and in 2015 when we're at the Holiday Bowl and 2016 when we're in the Rose Bowl, they'll put it in my face and say I should've been more patient and should've understood the process.

But right now? Off of the season we just had? Then to be told not to expect much in 2013? With a schedule that features Southern Utah and Idaho?

(By the way, that Southern Utah game bothers me. We replaced BYU with Southern Utah because Moos said it gave our schedule more competitive balance or something like that. Personally, I'd rather see us play BYU in Pullman on Sept. 14 instead of Southern Utah, a team I'd never heard of. Sure, we'll beat the Thunderbirds, but I think it would've been more fun to play BYU. Our home schedule at Martin Stadium is the saddest home schedule we've ever had – Southern Utah, Idaho, Oregon State, ASU and Utah. BYU would've spiced it up.)

When you're a Coug, I understand that we're a loyal bunch that sticks with the team through the ups and the far-too-many downs. I've never been this conflicted about our football team before, and it troubles me when my allegiance to my alma mater is questioned. I should probably march in step with all of the Cougs who firmly believe that the Pirate of the Palouse is the answer to all of our football problems.

But from what I've seen so far, I'm on the fence with Leach.

The Go 2 Guy also writes for his website, www.jimmoorethego2guy.com; www.seattlepi.com; and www.kitsapsun.com. You can reach him at jimmoorethego2guy@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @cougsgo.

Monday, May 6, 2013 @ 4:20pm

Moos sees rise for WSU in Year 3

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Washington State athletic director Bill Moos believes Mike Leach's third season will be when the Cougars start winning.

The Cougars may have finished with a dismal 3-9 record, but Moos' secondary goal of invigorating the Cougars' apathetic fan base was accomplished by all the hype that came with his decision to hire Leach, even with the losing record.

"I'll take the blame for getting the feverish pitch of our fan base. We needed that," Moos said. "We had tremendous apathy and it worked. Largest donor base we've ever had, most money we've ever raised. ... The guy is a great football coach, he's not the Wizard of Oz. "

Moos spoke Monday at the Associated Press Sports Editors Northwest region conference and said he believed the Cougars may be hard-pressed to win six games in 2013 – Leach's second year – with a difficult schedule that opens with road games at Auburn and USC.

But Moos believes that Year 3 will be when Leach's teams start winning with the regularity he sought when he hired the colorful coach in late 2011.

"I don't think I would forecast that we are assured of six wins this year," Moos said. "We've got a tough schedule. We've got to open on the road at Auburn and then at USC, but we'll be better. I don't know if the scoreboard will show it. We're setting the foundations for what I believe will be a very strong program. Year 3 is when I believe it will show."

One of Moos' missions since taking over at his alma mater has been upgrading facilities. It started with a new $65 million press box/luxury seating complex at Martin Stadium that opened in time for the 2012 season.

The next phase is currently under construction, a football operations center that Moos expects to be ready for opening next spring. From there, Moos wants to build an indoor practice facility that can be used by football and another programs.

"I've been known through my career as a builder. I believe facilities attract the talent and then you are able to develop it when they get there," Moos said.

Along with the football upgrades, Moos has plans for improving the baseball and soccer facilities at Washington State and eventually work in improvements to Beasley Coliseum, the Cougars basketball arena.

Moos also touched on the one controversy that came up during Leach's first season with the dismissal of wide receiver Marquess Wilson, who left the school amid claims of abuse that were later dismissed by a school and Pac-12 investigation. Wilson was drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears last month.

"Very neat kid and a very talented kid," Moos said. "But I believe had been pampered with the previous staff and didn't want to toe the line effort-wise in practice or games and so he benched him and then you get the attitude stuff and all of that."

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 11:34am

Lawhorn to play basketball at WSU

Lawhorn played the past two seasons at San Jacinto College in Texas. The 5-foot-10 guard averaged 9.6 points and 9 assists per game at San Jacinto.

Lawhorn joins an incoming class that also includes freshmen Josh Hawkinson and Ike Iroegbu.

Friday, April 12, 2013 @ 1:43pm

Former UW, WSU coach Harshman dies at 95

SEATTLE (AP) - Marv Harshman, who spent 40 years coaching college basketball in the state of Washington and was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985, died Friday at 95.

The University of Washington, where Harshman concluded his coaching career in 1985, confirmed Harshman's death. Current Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar _ who played for Harshman at Washington _ said he spoke with Harshman's son, Dave, Friday morning after his former coach passed away.

"We obviously lost a legend. I learned so much from Coach. He is one of the main reasons I'm here at the University of Washington," Romar said in a statement. "I went to Washington expecting to play with a legendary coach; I didn't know I would get the bonus of playing for a legendary person. He will be missed by all of us."

Harshman was a basketball fixture in the state for nearly half a century. He started his coaching career at his alma mater, Pacific Lutheran, where he led the then-NAIA school to a spot in the national championship game in 1959.

From the NAIA level he moved across the state to Pullman, where he coached at Washington State for 13 seasons. He went 155-181 coaching on the Palouse, and then moved to Seattle for his final coaching job at Washington.

Harshman spent 14 seasons on Montlake before retiring in 1985 and had his most success there. He won 20 or more games with the Huskies four times and went to the NCAA tournament three times. He coached Romar from 1978-80, and called Detlef Schrempf the best player he ever coached. Harshman went 246-146 at Washington, the second-most victories all time at the school behind Hec Edmundson. He retired with more than 600 victories at the college level.

Additionally, he served on the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1975-1981 and was the head coach of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the Pan-Am Games in 1975.

Even as his health declined, Harshman remained a fixture at Washington games, attending a few per season until a couple of years ago.

"I've gone to many banquets and award shows where he was being honored and he just was revered by so many people; everyone from Bobby Knight to Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) and on and on and on," Romar said. "I could always say I played for Marv Harshman and right away those great ones know who he is _ not just in the state of Washington."

Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 4:13pm

Spokane police recommend charging 2 USC players

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - The Spokane police department is recommending second-degree assault charges against two Southern California basketball players after a series of fights last month.

Police announced Thursday the conclusion of their investigation into a series of fights on March 10. It is now up to the Spokane County prosecutor's office to officially charge the two players.

Police declined to name the two players.

USC suspended starting center Dewayne Dedmon and backup big man James Blasczyk for violating an unspecified team rule. At the time, interim coach Bob Cantu said the program was aware of an investigation in Spokane and declined to comment further.

The fights in the downtown area sent four people to the hospital. The Trojans were staying in Spokane following a loss to Washington State in Pullman.

Thursday, March 28, 2013 @ 12:55pm

Bone returning to Washington St next season

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Ken Bone will return as men's basketball coach at Washington State next season.

Bone said Thursday that he had a meeting with athletic director Bill Moos on Wednesday and was told he will lead the Cougars for a fifth season.

Bone had been on the hot seat after the Cougars finished 13-19 overall, and just 4-14 in the Pac-12. It was Bone's first losing season with the team.

Bone is 70-65 in his first four seasons at Washington State, with two last-place finishes in the league.

"There's no doubt we need to win more basketball games," Bone said. "I don't think the players or myself or anyone in Cougar Nation is excited about the number of wins we had."

Bone said he received no specific goals from Moos.

"He didn't say `you have to make the NCAA tournament or win X amount of games,'" Bone said. "We've just got to get better."

Firing Bone would have been an expensive proposition for Washington State. He has three years left on a contract that pays $850,000 a year, and would have been due a $2.55 million buyout.

Washington State has lost leading scorer Brock Motum and guard Mike Ladd to graduation.

But they return a solid nucleus of DaVonte Lacy, Royce Woolridge, D.J. Shelton and Dexter Kernich-Drew, who all gained valuable minutes this year. Newcomers Que Johnson and Jordan Railey are also expected to contribute.

"I think Royce Woolridge will continue to get better and better," Bone said. "Near the end of the year he played as good as anyone on our team."

"We have a very good foundation, which sounds strange when you are going into your fifth year," Bone said. "But at times you've got to take a step back to go forward."

Johnson, a 6-foot-5 guard from Pontiac, Mich., was an academic casualty this year. But Bone expects him to qualify easily for the coming season.

Bone did not know if there would be any defections from the team, as he had not had meetings with most of the players since the season ended.

"There are always guys looking for something different, and the thing is to sit down and have an honest discussion with each guy," Bone said. "In a perfect world they will all be back."

He also did not anticipate any staff changes.

Washington State, which as recently as 2008 reached the round of 16, should be able to compete with most teams in an improving Pac-12, Bone said. He noted the Cougars lost a lot of close games this season. The Cougars also upset conference champion UCLA near the end of the season

"If we can clean some things up, take care of the ball better and get stops at critical times on the defensive end, we can compete with most of the teams in our league," Bone said.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 4:18pm

WSU and Idaho players brawl in Pullman

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - A Washington State University football player has regained consciousness after a Sunday brawl in Pullman that involved players from the neighboring University of Idaho.

Wide receiver Mansel Simmons was found unconscious early Sunday morning in a parking lot with injuries to his head.

Police told the Moscow-Pullman Daily News that he was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital and then to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Pullman Police Commander Chris Tennant said WSU and Idaho players had been attending a party at a private home when a disagreement occurred.

The fight was fueled by alcohol, Tennant said, and occurred in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman.

When police arrived, there were about 20 people in the parking lot. They were not fighting but "there was a lot of posturing and discord," Tennant said.

Officers found Simmons, of Elk Grove, Calif., lying unconscious and called an ambulance. He was reported in satisfactory condition with various head injuries.

An Idaho football player has admitted being involved in an altercation with Simmons, Tennant said, but the investigation is continuing and no arrests have been made.

Representatives of both Idaho and Washington State are looking into the incident. The two schools are located just 8 miles apart.

In what appeared to be an act of retaliation, a car driven by an Idaho football player was attacked in the church parking lot shortly after the fight, Tennant said. The car suffered numerous dents and scratches, the mirrors were removed, the driver's door damaged and the car "was basically totaled," Tennant said.