Wulff says Cougs will be 'a lot better' next season

By Howie Stalwick | For The Olympian • Published December 02, 2008

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PULLMAN – Two days removed from one of the worst seasons in Washington State football history, Paul Wulff sounded like he wishes the 2009 season started yesterday.

"We'll be a lot more competitive," the first-year coach promised Monday. "We'll be a lot better football team, no question about it.

"Players will be bigger and stronger. We'll be more experienced."

Some improvement next year seems almost inevitable. After all, the 2008 squad suffered a never-ending onslaught of injuries; ran through five quarterbacks, including three starters; had to adjust to new coaches, systems and philosophies; and was forced to switch out of its base offense (hurry-up, no-huddle) and defense (4-3) in midstream due to injuries, inexperience and/or lack of depth and skill.

"A lot of times, players make big jumps after their first year of playing at the college level," Wulff said.

Injuries forced many youngsters to start or at least play far more than expected. Only seven seniors started in the final game (three on offense, and four on defense). The only top-notch seniors were leading pass catcher Brandon Gibson at wide receiver and leading tackler Greg Trent at middle linebacker.

Wulff figures the force-feeding the younger players endured this year will pay dividends in the future. Wulff also chose to redshirt several players who could have helped this year. In addition, two talented transfers from California, running back James Montgomery and cornerback Brandon Jones, were required to redshirt because of NCAA transfer rules.

Wulff has been openly critical of the former coaching staff's recruiting practices, conditioning methods and lack of attention to the academics and nutrition of players. Wulff said that's all changing for the better, though he acknowledged some players might be lost to academics and/or will leave the program because they aren't willing to make the sacrifices that will be demanded.

Wulff said he expects his coaching staff to remain intact. He said two four-year college transfers and two junior college transfers may enroll in January. He said WSU's most urgent recruiting needs are at wide receiver and on the defensive line, so JC players might be targeted at those positions in particular.

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