You'll never hear anyone say a negative word about Paul Wulff (if anyone has anything bad to say about him, tell me...I don't think it's possible). I was lucky enough to host a show called Eye on the Eagles when I first started working at KREM. Wulff was on the desk with me and we would talk about the previous weeks game, upcoming opponents, etc. He's an awesome guy (there's no better way to put it). His team stunk that year (they were 3-8), but he would still come in with a positive, pleasant attitude. As far as I'm concerned, he's a really easy guy to root for (especially if you know his past).

Wulff's mom disappeared when he was 12 (some think his dad murdered her, but there was never enough evidence to back that up). He also had to deal with the death of his first wife (she had brain cancer). I'm not a real "rags to riches" guy, but it's a part of his past that shows what he's made of.

Like I mentioned in my Doba's Replacement? blogs (I was updating my findings on the coaching search everyday), it takes "knowing" Pullman to be successful there. Pullman is a unique town (especially hard to recruit to) and Wulff knows that (he graduated from WSU in 1990). He should also be able to make an immediate splash on the local recruiting scene (he's been recruiting in the state for years at EWU). He already knows the coaches, the players, etc.

You also can't argue his success at Eastern. Wulff led the Eagles to the Football Championship Subdivision (DI-AA) playoffs three out of the last four years (including a trip that ended in the quarterfinals this year). He's developed players that have gone on to the National Football League, NFL Europe (now defunct), and the Arena Football League. His players also do well off the field. They don't get in trouble with the law and they graduate (Wazzu has recently struggled with "academic eligibility" issues).

All of that isn't good enough for some former players (or fans). I've heard a group of old Cougars were lobbying hard for Mike Price and they're not pleased that Wulff was hired.

Some people question if Wulff can make the jump from FCS to the Pac-10. You have to remember that Mike Price came to Wazzu from Weber State (a Big Sky school) and he led the Cougs to two Rose Bowls. There is a difference...Wulff has never coached (even as an assistant) at the Division I level (he's never been away from EWU). Price was an assistant at Washington State and Missouri before becoming head coach at Weber State (he then returned to WSU in 1989). Needless to say, some of the other candidates (including John L. Smith) were more qualified for the job.

I think it will be really important who Wulff hires as assistants. There's speculation that Eastern offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy will go with him (that scares me a little figuring that Sturday was at St. Ambrose University (NAIA) just a year ago). It's also expected that defensive coordinator Jody Sears will also join the Cougs (he graduated from Pullman High School and Washington State). Wulff is also good friends with Cougars quarterbacks coach Timm Rosenbach (he played with Wulff at WSU and coached under him at Eastern). I even had Jason Gesser call me looking for Wulff's phone number (he's hoping to latch on at WSU or EWU). It's all speculation at this point, but to me, he needs to hire some guys with more experience (people who have "been there, done that" at the DI level).

At this point, I look at this as a gamble. Wulff could pay off in a big way (i.e. Jim Tressel at Ohio State (he came from DI-AA Youngstown State)). And if he does, Wulff would seemingly be a long term solution at head coach (he's only 40 and he's shown loyalty to Eastern for 15 years). He could also fall flat on his face (as a fan I hope that's not the case). That would mean we'll be doing this all over again in a few years.

Like it or not, Paul Wulff is the new head coach at Washington State. Doing anything other than supporting the guy is a big waste of time (he's not leaving anytime soon). So, even if you don't like him (put away the Kleenex), strap on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.