For the first time in 18 years Washington State is searching for a new head coach (Doba immediately replaced Mike Price when he announced his departure to Alabama). Jim Sterk (WSU Athletic Director) said in the press conference that it will be a nationwide search.

I've said all along that if the Cougars were to fire Doba that they'd need to clean house. Get everyone out (some of these guys have been around for 15 years)...we need new ideas. That doesn't mean I don't think they should hire someone with a history at Wazzu.

The following is a list of potential candidates (in no particular order) that I've come up with. All (except one, because I've heard his name thrown around for months) have ties to Washington State:

(Name, Age (could play a major role in hiring -- Doba is 67), Current Position)

Paul Wulff, 40, Eastern Washington Head Coach: An interesting candidate for the WSU job. Wulff played center at Wazzu from 1985-1989 under three different coaches (Jim Walden, Dennis Erickson, Mike Price). He also has a history of loyalty (he's spent the last 15 years at EWU) and winning (50-31 in 8 years as head coach). His team is currently in the I-AA playoffs, so don't expect to hear much about him until that's over. I hope to see him soon (at practice) and ask him about the job.

Bobby Hauck, 43, Montana Head Coach: Ever since Washington State's season started going down the tube, I heard Hauck's name tossed around as a possible replacement. Hauck has no direct ties to WSU, but he has Pac-10 (and other DI) coaching experience. The Missoula, Montana native was an assistant at Colorado (1995-98) and Washington (1999-2002). Hauck is known as a special teams expert (an area that the Cougs have struggled with for years). There is some question if his past with UW would hinder him from coming to WSU, but I think that's foolish.

Bob Gregory, 44, California Defensive Coordinator: This guy was born and raised in Spokane (he graduated from Gonzaga Prep). He also played defensive back and linebacker for WSU (he graduated in 1986). For the most part he's stayed in the Northwest since. He's been an assistant at Willamette, Oregon, and Boise State. He's spent the last six seasons at California. There's one problem...he's never been a head coach before.

Jim Michalczik, 41, California Offensive Coordinator: He wasn't born in Spokane, but he is a Washington native (from Port Angeles). Michalczik played on the offensive line at Washington State (he graduated in 1988). Like Gregory, he has extensive assistant coaching experience (Miami (Fla.), Montana State, Oregon State, and Cal), but hasn't been a head coach.

Rich Olson, 59, Arizona State Offensive Coordinator: He might be a stretch, but he has to be mentioned. Olson is much older than most of the other candidates and he has limited (if not dated) connections to the Cougs. Olson played quarterback at Washington State (he graduated in 1971). He's not only a long time college assistant, he's also spent 10 years as an assistant in the NFL. He has no head coaching experience.

Craig Bray, 45, Arizona State Defensive Coordinator: He never played at Washington State, but he's coached there twice. He made his first stop as a secondary coach from 1987-88, he then served in the same role from 1994-99 (not to mention a stint at Idaho from 1984-85). Bray also has no head coaching experience. Another interesting fact (which may encourage him back to the Palouse) he's married to former WSU head volleyball coach, Kaprice Rupp.

Tim Lappano, 49, Washington Offensive Coordinator: He has a very similiar past to Gregory. Lappano was born and raised in Spokane and graduated from Gonzaga Prep. He played college ball at Idaho and became one of their best running backs in history (he graduated in 1983). Lappano then was an assistant for the Vandlas from 1982-85 and then assisted at WSU from 1987-95. He's been all over the place since, including a stint with the Seahawks. He was also an assistant at Ferris High School in 1981. Again, no head coaching experience.

John L. Smith, 59, Not Sure Where He Is: I think of him and the next guy as wildcards. Smith's not a Washington native, but was born and raised in Idaho Falls. He has more ties to Idaho (head coach from 1989-94 -- all-time winningest coach there) than WSU. Smith did coach at Washington State though (1987-88). I'm not sure where he is now. Someone told me he's an NFL scout. Keep in mind...he's the guy who slapped himself in the face during a press conference while a head coach at Michigan State.

Mike Price, 61, UTEP Head Coach: The wildest of wildcards! Everyone knows his past, but we'll touch on it anyways. Price is from Everett, he played at Washington State, and of course was the head coach at WSU from 1989-2002. He's had a few up-and-down seasons at UTEP since leaving Wazzu (and getting canned at Alabama before he even started). I've heard the craziest rumors about Price and the now-vacant Cougar coaching job. That Doba owes him a favor, that there's no way they want him back, etc.

There are several other coaches that could be in the mix (most without connections to Washington State). I'm actively trying to find out who is in the mix.

Check back here often as the search continues. I'll try to update this list as often as possible.

If you'd like to leave a comment feel free to get involved. You can also e-mail me at tlewis@krem.com.