Tag Archives: Cougar Nation

Schoesler statement on death of former WSU football coach Mike Leach

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued this statement in response to news that former Washington State University head football coach Mike Leach died Monday night in a Mississippi hospital following a massive heart attack.

“I had the privilege of meeting Mike Leach when he was the head coach at WSU. He was a great character in the world of college football and one of its most innovative and creative offensive minds. During his years as WSU’s head coach, his ‘Air Raid’ offense not only piled up yardage but it was very entertaining to watch. His success along the sideline was matched by his outspoken nature whenever he gave interviews. During his eight seasons in Pullman, he made the Cougars relevant. This is a sad day for Cougar Nation and college football fans. My thoughts and condolences go to his family, his current and former players and current and former assistant coaches.”

Leach was Washington State’s head coach from 2012 through 2019. During his eight seasons in Pullman, he led the Cougars to a 55-47 record. His most successful season was in 2018, when WSU finished with an 11-2 record and a win in the Alamo Bowl.

Leach left WSU and became the head coach at Mississippi State in 2020. In his three seasons at MSU, he compiled a 19-17 record. Prior to becoming Washington State’s coach, Leach coached 10 seasons at Texas Tech, where he had an 84-43 mark.

Schoesler is the state senator for the 9th Legislative District, which includes Pullman, where WSU’s main campus is located.

 

Schoesler pleased SR-26 passing lane project funded in final transportation budget

Washington State University students and other members of “Cougar Nation” will be among those benefiting from a passing-lane project for State Route 26 that is accelerated in the new two-year state transportation budget passed by the Senate today, said 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

The 2019-21 transportation budget provides $11.15 million for the project, which will add climbing lanes on SR-26 between Dusty and Colfax in Whitman County.

“There has been a real need for climbing lanes along this stretch of Highway 26 because of how unsafe it is for drivers to pass due to limited visibility caused by hills. Adding these climbing lanes will make trips on this part of the highway much safer for drivers,” said Schoesler, who noted construction could begin as early as next year.

“Seventy percent of the students who go to WSU come from western Washington,” said Schoesler during his floor speech in support of the final version of the transportation budget. “Their safety and Coug Nation’s safety is important when they come to Pullman for Dad’s Weekend, Mom’s Weekend or the Apple Cup. Hopefully, when folks come over to the 2020 Apple Cup, they’ll be able to see the completed passing lanes.”     

Schoesler praised Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson for organizing a grass-roots effort to secure funding for the SR-26 climbing lanes. Schoesler also lauded Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, and Yakima Sen. Curtis King, the committee’s ranking Republican, for moving up the project’s timeline so it can be completed sooner.            

Schoesler joined the rest of the Senate Sunday in voting 49-0 to approve the final version of the state transportation budget. The House passed the final transportation budget 96-2 today.