Tag: Washington State

Sep 17, 2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars director of athletics Pat Chun looks on before a game against the Colorado State Rams at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Chun hired as Washington AD, departs rival Washington State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pat Chun is moving across state, as he departed Washington State on Tuesday to become the athletic director at Washington.

Chun will start his duties at Washington, located in Seattle, on Wednesday and will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday.

“It is truly an honor for my family and I to join the University of Washington family, and I look forward to doing my part to help elevate the athletics program and the University,” Chun said in a news release. “I am grateful to President (Ann Mari) Cauce for the opportunity and will work closely with our campus partners, our coaches and our staff to help our student-athletes have an incredible experience at UW.

“Our transition to the Big Ten is a critical step in our journey and great things lie ahead for the Huskies!”

Chun has been the athletic director at Washington State for six-plus years. That school is located in remote Pullman, approximately 285 miles from Seattle.

The Huskies and Cougars have long been fierce Apple Cup rivals. So while the move is certainly sure to produce tension between the fan bases, Washington is about to depart for the Big Ten and
Washington State is one of two Pac-12 programs that will not be aligned with a major conference in 2024.

Chun is about to start a three-year stint on the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Before becoming the Washington State AD, Chun served in the same role at Florida Atlantic for five seasons. He also spent 15 years working in various positions within the Ohio State athletic department.

“Pat has a track record of success and a wealth of experience — from 15 years in the Big Ten and service on national groups guiding the future of college sports, to securing community support and a commitment to the well-being of student-athletes,” Cauce said in the news releases. “He knows our state, is highly respected in national athletics circles and has an eye for talent. I’m so happy he’ll be joining us to lead UW Athletics into the future.”

Chun replaces Troy Dannen, who left after five-plus months to become the new AD at Nebraska.

Chun’s move to Washington comes one day after Cougars basketball coach Kyle Smith departed the Palouse to take the Stanford job. The Cougars made the NCAA Tournament this year for the first time since 2008.

Also, the Huskies hired a new basketball coach Monday with Utah State’s Danny Sprinkle being unveiled to replace the fired Mike Hopkins.

Washington also has a new football coach in Jedd Fisch. He replaces Kalen DeBoer, who parlayed the Huskies’ CFP title game appearance into becoming the new coach at Alabama.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Deputy commissioner Teresa Gould speaks during Pac-12 Women's Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pac-12’s Teresa Gould first female commish of Power 5 conference

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The Pac-12 on Monday promoted deputy commissioner Teresa Gould to commissioner, effective March 1, to replace the outgoing George Kliavkoff.

Gould will become the first woman to serve as commissioner of a Power 5 football conference.

“Teresa’s deep knowledge of collegiate athletics and unwavering commitment to student-athletes makes her uniquely qualified to help guide the Pac-12 Conference during this period of unprecedented change in college sports,” Washington State president Kirk Schulz said in a statement. “As the first female commissioner of an Autonomy Five conference, Teresa will be able to bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the table as the industry works to find its way through this shifting landscape.”

Gould was appointed by Schulz and Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy. Their schools received control of Pac-12 decision-making in December because the remaining member institutions are departing for the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC later this year.

Washington State and Oregon State have set up a scheduling partnership with the Mountain West Conference for football and will join the West Coast Conference as an affiliate member in 12 men’s and women’s sports for at least the next two seasons. A news release said the Pac-12 “will continue to sponsor select sports, sign media rights partnership and produce live events and content” going forward.

“I look forward to partnering with Oregon State and Washington State to secure a bright future for their student-athletes that allows them to compete at the highest level of college athletics, while enjoying the benefits of a quality campus experience,” Gould said in a statement. “Working in collaboration with their leadership and our talented staff, I am excited to build a pathway for the future that allows their programs to thrive.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura (7) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Transfer QB Jayden de Laura leaves Texas State

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Transfer quarterback Jayden de Laura has left Texas State, one week after enrolling.

The school confirmed in a brief statement that de Laura withdrew, and the news came soon after de Laura settled a lawsuit regarding an alleged sexual assault case from 2018.

de Laura, one of two people sued in the 2021 civil case, was a minor when the alleged incident occurred in Hawaii, where he went to high school. He went on to play at Washington State and Arizona, and he entered the transfer portal this month after losing his starting job with the Wildcats.

As news of the settlement spread via the Texas State student newspaper, de Laura and the case drew attention, with students planning a Friday protest over his addition to the team.

Head coach G.J. Kinne told the campus publication that his staff reviewed the quarterback’s past before offering him a spot on the team.

“First, Jayden never pled guilty or was convicted of criminal charges, and he recently settled a civil case from an incident that occurred in 2018 when he was a minor in the state of Hawaii,” said Kinne in a statement before news of de Laura’s withdrawal. “During the recruitment process, our coaching staff visited with several of Jayden’s former coaches from his two previous schools, Washington State University and the University of Arizona, as well as others that know him closely. Each person not only spoke highly of his character but how he has developed into the man he is today.”

de Laura was projected to start at quarterback for Texas State, and after his commitment, incumbent starter T.J. Finley said he intended to transfer.

Finley, who was 8-5 in 2023 as the Bobcats’ starter, has transferred to Western Kentucky. It will be his fourth program after also playing at LSU and Auburn.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) scrambles out of the pocket against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Washington St. QB Cameron Ward picks Miami over draft

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Former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward has changed his mind again, this time deciding to forego the NFL and transfer to quarterback-needy Miami instead.

Ward, whom a handful of colleges coveted in the transfer portal before he said on Jan. 1 that he was entering the NFL draft, announced his latest move on social media on Saturday. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Ohio State and Florida State were among many schools that were seen as landing spots for Ward, who was fourth in FBS in passing with 3,732 yards, completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 25 touchdowns (tied for 16th) with seven interceptions in 12 games this past season. He added eight rushing touchdowns.

Most of those other schools have since found other options at quarterback.

Ward earned All-Pac 12 Conference honorable mention honors his first season at Washington State in 2022. He passed for 3,231 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Ward previously was enrolled at Incarnate Word, where he passed for 4,648 yards in 2021 while completing 384 of 590 passes (65.1 percent), with 47 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was selected to the FCS All-America second team.

Ward then followed coach Eric Morris, who left Incarnate Word to become offensive coordinator at Washington State.

Miami started Jacurri Brown at quarterback for its Pinstripe Bowl game at Yankee Stadium in New York on Dec. 28. It was the quarterback’s first collegiate start, and he completed 20 of 31 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown and an interception in a 31-24 loss to Rutgers.

Brown got the call when fourth-year junior Tyler Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin and reserve Emory Williams was out with a fracture in his left (non-throwing) arm on Nov. 11 at Florida State.

The Hurricanes finished the season at 7-6.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) passes against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Washington St. QB Cameron Ward declares for draft

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Former Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward announced Monday that he is turning pro.

“What’s up. It’s Cam Ward and I’ll be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft,” he posted Monday on social media.

Ward announced on Dec. 1 that he would enter the transfer portal while weighing his options with the draft.

Miami and Florida State were among the programs reportedly hoping to land Ward through the portal.

As a junior this season, Ward completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 3,736 yards with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for eight scores in 12 games for the Cougars (5-7).

Ward earned All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention honors in his first season at Washington State in 2022. He passed for 3,232 yards with 23 TDs and nine picks.

The Texas native previously played at Incarnate Word, where he passed for 4,648 yards in 2021 while completing 384 of 590 passes (65.1 percent) with 47 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was selected to the FCS All-America second team.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; A view of the PAC-12 field logo before the game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon State, Wazzu reach settlement with exiting Pac-12 schools

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The 10 departing members of the Pac-12 reached a settlement agreement with remaining schools Oregon State and Washington State to end litigation related to control of the conference.

As part of the deal announced Thursday, the exiting schools will give up some of their 2023-24 revenue, cede future control of league assets and agree to language against future litigation.

The sides reached an accord in the wake of the state of Washington’s Supreme Court decision last week that chose not to revisit a lower court’s ruling that gave control of the Pac-12 board of directors to the remaining schools.

Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy and Washington State president Kirk Schulz issued a joint statement on the matter Thursday.

“Today’s news marks a huge victory for our universities and a significant step toward stabilizing the Pac-12 Conference and preserving its 108-year legacy,” the statement read in part.

The latest news provides an additional measure of security for the two schools, particularly as it relates to potentially keeping the Pac-12 brand alive.

The two schools previously reached a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West Conference to play six Mountain West teams in football next fall, and more recently, secured an agreement with the West Coast Conference to host most of the rest of their sports.

But neither of those deals are long-term in nature, and the NCAA allows a conference a two-year grace period to continue to exist below the normal required seven active members.

Much speculation to this point has centered on a “reverse merger” wherein the entirety of the Mountain West schools would join the Pac-12, though Oregon State and Washington State now have additional time to weigh that proposal against other options.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Pac-12 Conference logo at midfield at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Washington St., Oregon St. regain control of Pac-12 board

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The Washington Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by the University of Washington and the Pac-12 on Friday, giving control of the Pac-12 board and the conference’s assets back to Oregon State and Washington State.

The state Supreme Court’s decision lifted a temporary stay that had halted a decision by the Whitman County (Wash.) Superior Court to award control to the two schools.

Oregon State and Washington State will remain in control until the case is settled or goes to trial.

“We are pleased with the Washington Supreme Court’s decision today,” Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy and Washington State president Kirk Schulz said in a joint statement. “We look forward to continuing our work of charting a path forward for the conference that is in the best interest of student-athletes and our wider university communities.”

In a joint statement earlier this week, Oregon State and Washington State — whose football scheduling agreement with the Mountain West met with unanimous approval — stopped a scheduled distribution of millions to all Pac-12 member schools, saying that departing schools should not receive conference money.

The 10 schools leaving the Pac-12 are concerned that Oregon State and Washington State could withhold all conference revenue for this season while those 10 schools are still part of the league.

Washington State and Oregon State believed the 10 departing members gave up their rights to be members of the board and make decisions affecting the conference once they announced their intentions to leave. Another concern for Washington State and Oregon State involved the exiting schools possibly voting to dissolve the Pac-12 and divvy up the assets.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) is stopped by Washington State Cougars defensive end Ron Stone Jr. (10) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Mountain West finalizes agreement with Oregon State, Washington State

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The Mountain West Conference, Oregon State, Washington State and the Pac-12 have reached a football scheduling an agreement for the 2024 season.

The MWC announced the agreement on Friday.

Next season, the 12 Mountain West teams will play seven games against conference opponents plus one against either Oregon State or Washington State. The Beavers and Cougars were looking to fill out their schedules next season, when 10 schools leave the Pac-12 for other conferences.

“This is a unique and unprecedented opportunity for Oregon State and Washington State to play against highly competitive Mountain West football programs in 2024,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a news release. “The scheduling agreement will expand the Mountain West footprint and enhance our national brand, while providing our student-athletes with new opportunities, all in line with our strategic priorities. The scheduling agreement strengthens the league’s non-conference schedules, and we look forward to having Oregon State and Washington State be a part of the 2024 slate.”

The two remaining Pac-12 schools will not be eligible to play for the Mountain West championship, and results will not count toward the conference standings.

The Mountain West did not release any contract terms, but a report from Yahoo Sports this week said the conference would receive a fee of about $14 million for its part in the scheduling agreement.

At this time, the scheduling partnership applies only to football. Yahoo reported talks are in progress for a potential scheduling agreement for men’s and women’s basketball, and the two Pac-12 schools are discussing affiliate memberships with leagues for other sports.

The Mountain West consists of Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming. Hawaii is a participant in football.

UNLV (9-3, 6-2 MWC) will host Boise State (7-5, 6-2) on Saturday in the Mountain West championship game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers fans cheering during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Washington State, Oregon State finalizing MWC alliance

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Oregon State and Washington State are finalizing an agreement that would ally the two remaining teams of the Pac-12 conference with the Mountain West Conference for the 2024 football season, Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday.

The Mountain West would receive a fee of about $14 million under the one-year agreement, which has a renewal option for 2025, per the report. A formal announcement could be made this week.

Under the agreement, the Mountain West teams would play seven conference games, plus an eighth against either Oregon State or Washington State.

Oregon State and Washington State were left behind when the other 10 teams of the conference decided to leave the conference for the 2024 season.

The Mountain West consists of Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming. Hawaii is a participant in football.

Under the agreement, Oregon State and Washington State would not be eligible to play for the Mountain West title and they will play as “quasi-independents under the Pac-12 banner,” Yahoo reported.

At this time, the scheduling partnership would apply only to football. Talks are in progress for a potential scheduling agreement for men’s and women’s basketball, and the two Pac-12 schools are discussing affiliate memberships with leagues for other sports.

Oregon State finished the regular football season at 8-4 (5-4 Pac-12). Washington State began the season 4-0, which included a win over the Beavers, and concluded with a 5-7 (2-7) mark.

UNLV (9-3, 6-2 MWC) will host Boise State (7-5, 6-2) on Saturday in the Mountain West championship game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws the ball during the first half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4 Washington insists focus is solely on Wazzu

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After clinching a spot in the Pacific-12 Conference championship game with a 22-20 victory at then-No. 11 Oregon State last week, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was asked whether the Huskies might overlook this week’s Apple Cup to focus on the title game.

Penix was incredulous.

“It’s the Apple Cup. What you mean? We can’t lose that,” Penix said. “That’s one of the biggest games for Husky Nation, with the whole tradition and everything. We’re not looking over that. We’re going to be ready for it.

“Yeah, man, it’s exciting to know we’ll be in the (Pac-12) championship. But there’s still work to be done. Like I said, man, if you’re not excited for the Apple Cup, then you’re in the wrong spot.”

While the Saturday game in Seattle will be the last meeting between the rivals as members of the Pac-12 — No. 4 Washington is among four conference schools leaving for the Big Ten next season — it was announced earlier in the week that the Apple Cup will continue, as the schools agreed to a five-year deal to continue playing.

“We should never have to get to this point where we have to schedule out-of-conference games (against Washington),” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said. “I understand both sides of the reaction. I do. But when I step back, and I look at a 360-degree view, we’ve been playing for over 100 years, and that needs to continue.

“I think any time you have an issue that people have an emotional reaction to, that means they’re bought into it, whatever side of the coin you’re on, right? I see it both ways. I do. But at the end of the day, we’re playing for the Apple Cup. That means something to every person that wears the Coug, every man that has been in our locker room, it’s very important to him. So everyone tunes in to watch the game.”

The Huskies (11-0, 8-0 Pac-12), who moved up to No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings this week, are paced by Heisman hopeful Penix, who leads the nation with 3,695 passing yards. Rome Odunze ranks fifth nationally with 1,206 receiving yards, and Dillon Johnson, who is hopeful to play after sustaining a foot injury last week, has rushed for 879 yards and scored 11 TDs.

The Cougars (5-6, 2-6) snapped a six-game losing streak with a 56-14 victory against visiting Colorado last week. Washington State would become bowl eligible with a victory against Washington.

Cameron Ward threw for 288 yards and accounted for four touchdowns vs. the Buffaloes, and Brennan Jackson returned fumbles 48 and 78 yards for scores. Nakia Watson ran for a season-high 47 yards on eight carries.

“He was (almost) an 800-yard running back last season and we haven’t been able to get him to that point for a variety of different reasons,” Dickert said of Watson. “To see him go out on Senior Night and perform the way we always felt like he was capable of playing is important. You would love to see that more, and I want to see that again this week because we’re going to need it.”

–Field Level Media