Washington State’s Jake Dickert agrees to extension through 2027

Associated PressJan 26, 2023, 12:24 AM EST

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State coach Jake Dickert agreed to a contract extension that will keep him tied to the Cougars through the 2027 season.

The school announced Dickert’s extension but did not release the financial terms. Dickert’s previous deal was reached after the 2021 regular season and went through 2026.

“We have watched Jake Dickert reset the foundation of WSU football that prioritizes family, selflessness, toughness, leadership and the total development of the young men on our football team,” athletic director Pat Chun said. “Coach Dickert and the football staff strive to positively impact all those who come in contact with WSU Football.”

Dickert just completed his first full season in charge of the Cougars, leading Washington State to a 7-6 record and a second straight bowl game.

Dickert took over as interim head coach midway through the 2021 season after Nick Rolovich was fired for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Dickert went 3-2 in the regular season after taking over for Rolovich and had the interim tag removed after the Cougars beat rival Washington in the Apple Cup.

Washington State ended last season with a loss to Fresno State in the LA Bowl. The Cougars will open 2023 at Colorado State.

Washington State hires Jeff Schmedding as defensive coordinator

Associated PressJan 13, 2023, 8:04 AM EST

Jake Crandall/USA Today Network

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State hired Jeff Schmedding as the Cougars’ new defensive coordinator.

Schmedding spent the past two seasons at Auburn and was the Tigers defensive coordinator for the past season. He was Auburn’s linebackers coach and assistant head coach during his first season in the SEC as part of Bryan Harsin‘s staff.

Prior to his time at Auburn, Schmedding was the defensive coordinator at Boise State for the 2019-20 seasons. Before joining the Broncos, the native of Spokane, Washington, spent 15 seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Washington in a variety of roles. Schmedding was the defensive coordinator for the Eagles his final four seasons.

“Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, and truly understands our region of the country,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said in a statement. “Jeff will put his stamp on our defense and I can’t wait to work alongside him in continuing the foundation of defensive football we have built here at WSU.”

Schmedding will replace Brian Ward, who left the Cougars after last season to take a position at Arizona State.

Mims, Haener lead Fresno State past Washington State in LA Bowl

Associated PressDec 17, 2022, 8:52 PM EST

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Jordan Mims rushed for a career-high 205 yards and two scores, Jake Haener threw two TD passes and Fresno State completed the biggest in-season turnaround in Football Bowl Subdivision history with a 29-6 victory over Washington State in the LA Bowl on Saturday.

Fresno State – which won the Mountain West Conference title – is the first team to get to 10 wins after dropping four of the first five. The Bulldogs (10-4) were 1-4 in early October before winning their final nine games.

Mims accounted for 232 all-purpose yards and outgained Washington State, which had 182 offensive yards. Both of Mims’ touchdowns were on direct snaps out of the Wildcat formation.

Early in the second quarter, the senior went 4 yards around left end to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 advantage. In the fourth quarter, he carried it 2 yards up the middle to make it 29-6.

Haener completed 24 of 36 passes for 284 yards in his final game for Fresno State. The senior connected with Zane Pope on a 22-yard touchdown to complete the Bulldogs’ opening possession. He added an 11-yard score to Nikko Remigio late in the third quarter to extend the lead to 22-6.

Cameron Ward was 22 of 32 for 137 yards for Washington State (7-6).

Nakia Watson rushed for 33 yards and had the Cougars only touchdown in the third quarter, when he scored from 1 yard to bring Washington State within 16-6.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Fresno State made it 16-0 on Washington State’s ensuing possession with a safety. On third-and-14 from the Cougars’ 3-yard line, Ward was pressured by Bulldogs’ defensive lineman Leonard Payne Jr. and stepped on the end line in the back of the end zone.

It was the second time in the last three games the Bulldogs have scored on a safety.

THE TAKEAWAY

Fresno State: The Bulldogs have won four straight bowl games and have their second consecutive season with double-digit victories. It also completes a great first year for Jeff Tedford, who is in his second stint at Fresno State after Kalen DeBoer left for Washington.

Washington State: The Cougars have dropped their last three bowl games but were short-handed after both coordinators left for other positions. Washington State also was impacted at wide receiver and linebacker with players opting out of the game or putting their name in the transfer portal.