The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Washington State: a football coaching history

Regional Program I#80 of 138–
See Washington State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Bill Doba
Peaked at National Program I
Built by
Mike Leach
Regional Program III → National Program III (+11.7)
The fall
Paul Wulff
National Program II → Regional Program III (−17.5)
Right now
Kirby Moore
in year 1 — too new to place in Washington State's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)HollingberySarboeSutherlandSweeneyWaldenPriceDobaLeach19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Kirby Mooreshort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Jesse Bobbitshort tenure
1–0
2025–2025
Jimmy Rogersshort tenure
6–6
2024–2024
Pete Kaligisshort tenure
0–1
2021–2024
Jake Dickertcaretaker
Jake Dickert held Washington State at National Program III for 4 seasons.
National Program III
23–20
2020–2021
Nick Rolovichshort tenure
5–6
2012–2019
Mike Leachcaretaker
Mike Leach moved Washington State from Regional Program III to National Program III in 8 seasons.
+11.7
55–47
2008–2011
Paul Wulffdecliner
Washington State fell from National Program II to Regional Program III under Paul Wulff.
−17.5
9–40
2003–2007
Bill Dobacaretaker
Bill Doba held Washington State at National Program I for 5 seasons.
National Program I
30–29
1989–2002
Mike Pricecaretaker
Mike Price moved Washington State from National Program III to National Program I in 14 seasons.
+8.7
83–78
1987–1988
Dennis Ericksonshort tenure
12–10
1978–1986
Jim Waldencaretaker
Jim Walden moved Washington State from Regional Program II to National Program III in 9 seasons.
National Program III
41–55
1977–1977
Warren Powersshort tenure
6–5
1976–1976
Jackie Sherrillshort tenure
3–8
1968–1975
Jim Sweeneycaretaker
Jim Sweeney held Washington State at Regional Program II for 8 seasons.
Regional Program II
26–59
1964–1967
Bert Clarkcaretaker
Bert Clark held Washington State at National Program III for 4 seasons.
National Program III
15–24
1956–1963
Jim Sutherlandcaretaker
Jim Sutherland moved Washington State from Regional Program II to National Program III in 8 seasons.
+9.6
37–39
1952–1955
Alton Kirchercaretaker
Alton Kircher held Washington State at National Program III for 4 seasons.
−9.3
13–25
1950–1951
Forest Evashevskishort tenure
11–6
1945–1949
Phil Sarboecaretaker
Phil Sarboe held Washington State at National Program III for 5 seasons.
National Program III
17–26
1936–1942
O.E. Hollingberycaretaker
O.E. Hollingbery held Washington State at National Program I for 7 seasons.
National Program I
31–29