Mike Leach spent two years out of coaching after allegations of player mistreatment cost him his job at Texas Tech. Now at Washington State, Leach is facing a similar situation.
Marquess Wilson left the Cougars prior to their 44-36 loss to UCLA on Saturday citing the coaching staff’s preference to “belittle, intimidate and humiliate” the players as the chief cause. Wilson also claims the staff was physically abusive, leading to Monday’s announcement from the Pac-12 that they would be investigating the matter.
The investigation was called for by WSU president Elson Floyd who said in a statement that the review from both the conference and the athletic department “should get to the bottom of the matter.” When asked about the situation after the game on Saturday, Leach elected not to talk about it.
“I’m not going to talk about anybody that’s not here, you know. I coach the guys that are here,” said Leach, according to the report. “I don’t have anything to say about anybody that’s not here.”
When asked if he denies abusing Wilson, Leach’s response was combative.
“Absolutely. Next question,” said Leach. “And if you expect to ask another one, you won’t keep walking down that path.”
Wilson set single-season school records in both catches (82) and receiving yards (1,388) last season, and his 52 catches for 813 yards in 2012 are tops on the team. The Cougars are 2-8 this season and 0-7 in Pac-12 play.
