By JORDAN JAMES June 9 2018 Cougfan.com
You're waiting for an elevator door to open. Your eyes dart around
aimlessly, you fiddle with your clothes and perhaps you look down at your phone
a couple times. This helps pass the time until the elevator reaches your floor.
The wait is over, and you enter the empty space.
Just before the door closes, you hear a voice yell out, "Hold
that elevator!" You just catch it, and a man emerges from around the
corner. The man looks familiar, but you ponder for a few seconds and can't
quite figure out where you know the face from.
As the elevator begins to rise, you ponder a way to start a
conversation. But the clock is ticking, as the elevator ride will be over soon.
You begin to worry that you're running out of time, but then something
unexpected happens. The elevator gets stuck.
Then it hits you, your lone elevator companion is a college
football coach. But which coach is it? Scroll up to see the top 11 coaches it
would be most interesting to get stuck on an elevator with.
*Note: We tried to look at this objectively. In a perfect world, if
you got stuck on elevator you would want it to be with the coach of your
favorite team. And for fun, let's assume whatever you talk about with the coach
would remain confidential. Because otherwise you'd probably be stuck talking
about the weather and what you had for breakfast.
SLIDE 1 of 11
LANE KIFFIN - FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Lane Kiffin loves to speak his mind, so get ready to talk if you
happen to get stuck on an elevator with the Florida Atlantic coach. Although
you'll likely be doing more listening than talking, Kiffin probably has some
amazing stories that could pass the time. You could ask about his rocky endings
as the head coach at Tennessee and USC, or perhaps inquire about his three
seasons as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, which often made headlines due
to his sometimes fiery relationship with Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban. Be sure
to ask the tough questions, because Kiffin has shown he isn't afraid to answer
them.
SLIDE 2 of 11
MIKE LEACH - WASHINGTON STATE
The Washington State coach can turn any press conference into a
viral clip, so it's safe to say he would keep you entertained while the
elevator is out of commission. By the time you get out of there, you might be
able to write book titled, "The Wacky Adventures of Mike Leach." Just
don't let him go off on too many tangents, because that elevator won't be stuck
forever. Make sure you're prepared to talk 18th-century pirates, but if not,
Leach will catch you up to speed on the history in no time.
SLIDE 3 of 11
PJ FLECK - MINNESOTA
Do you think you can "Row The Boat" in an elevator? P.J.
Fleck might try it if you're stuck in there long enough. The slogan, which
Fleck started during his tenure at Western Michigan, became a rallying cry and
contributed to his rise as an interesting character among his peers. Fleck, 37,
was once described by San Francisco 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson as a
"frickin' warrior" when the team picked him up as an undrafted free
agent in 2004. He would be released by June 2006, but then his journey into
coaching began. Who wouldn't be intrigued to hear about what he's been through
along the way?
SLIDE 4 of 11
HERM EDWARDS - ARIZONA STATE
Something tells us Herm Edwards could give that elevator a pep talk
to make it move again, but if not there's tons to talk about with him. The
defensive back turned ESPN NFL analyst just ended a decade hiatus from
professional coaching to take on the head position at Arizona State. It's his
first experience in the college ranks since 1989. People are just waiting for
this experiment to fail, so it would be interesting to see just how much
pressure the coach feels with the vultures circling. And hearing "You play
to win the game" in person would probably be cool, too.
SLIDE 5 of 11
MIKE GUNDY - OKLAHOMA STATE
"I'm a man, I'm 40!" That might be a good phrase to use
to break the ice here — a reference to the Oklahoma State coach's infamous
press conference rant on a reporter in September 2007 — or perhaps that would
make this elevator predicament unpleasant for the rest of the time it's stuck.
But if you choose to go a different route, Gundy likely has plenty of stories.
The man hunts rattlesnakes for crying out loud. Then you could ease into a
football question like, "How worried are you about life without
quarterback Mason Rudolph after he left for the NFL following three seasons as
the starter?"
SLIDE 6 of 11
MARK RICHT - MIAMI
The Miami Hurricanes coach has earned a positive reputation as one
of the genuine good people to be around in college football. So he'd likely
make you feel like you're right at home in that stationary elevator. Then you
would have to ask what the Canes are going to do to top The Turnover Chain from
last season, or perhaps a redesign is on the horizon?
SLIDE 7 of 11
ED ORGERON - LSU
Who doesn't love Ed Orgeron's raspy Cajun accent? Maybe you don't,
but you better get used to it because there's no escaping this elevator for the
time being. Think of all the new phrases you could add to your daily
conversations after spending time with Coach O? The must-ask question: "Is
Joe Burrow guaranteed the starting quarterback job after coming to LSU as a
graduate transfer from Ohio State?"
SLIDE 8 of 11
LINCOLN RILEY - OKLAHOMA
At 34 years old, Lincoln Riley was the youngest coach in the FBS
last season. But age didn't matter, as he led Oklahoma to the College Football
Playoff after taking over for longtime Sooners coach Bob Stoops. A primary reason
Riley ascended so quickly is his deft play-calling ability. The man knows his
offense, and getting stuck in an elevator with him sounds like the perfect time
to pick his brain. By the time you walk out those doors, you might leave as an
offensive genius.
SLIDE 9 of 11
NICK SABAN - ALABAMA
Nick Saban may occasionally be stern with the media, but he has
shown a more joyous side in other arenas. The Alabama coach put his personality
on display in the team-produced "Bama Cuts" series, which included
former players discussing various topics with the coach in the football
facility's barber shop. So it's safe to say you could get some more
entertaining tales out of the six-time national champion. He's seen it all
during his legendary career, and most college football fans would love to chat
with him, even in a broken elevator. And by the way, who's starting at
quarterback Nick? Jalen Hurts? Tua Tagovailoa? Spill the beans!
SLIDE 10 of 11
JAMES FRANKLIN - PENN STATE
James Franklin has one of the most inviting personalities in
college football, and he seems to have the perfect disposition for being
trapped in an elevator. Franklin has shown a humorous side in the past. One
must only look to when the Nittany Lions coach allowed comedian Keegan-Michael
Key to impersonate him during a team meeting. Penn State fans would likely want
to know what plans the staff is devising for an offense that lost star running
back Saquon Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. But we'll
just have to wait until the season to find that out.
SLIDE 11 of 11
KIRBY SMART - GEORGIA
Have you seen the way Kirby Smart is recruiting lately? His people
skills are obviously a huge attribute, so he should have no issue coming up
with some relatable topics to bide the time in the elevator. Smart recently
revealed that he and Nick Saban, Smart's former boss when he was the Alabama
defensive coordinator for eight seasons, have exchanged advice on the upcoming
season. We want the details, Kirby.
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WSU MEN’S BASKETBALL PROJECTED TO FINISH LAST IN PAC-12
By Jon
Wilner / Pac-12 Hotline/San Jose Mercury News
Updated Pac-12 basketball projections: Could Huskies contend
for conference crown?
Originally published June 5, 2018 at 10:46 am Updated June
5, 2018 at 10:47 am
With a handful of key players opting to return to school,
the conference as a whole got stronger. One of the biggest beneficiaries
figures to be Washington, which returns all seven of its leading scorers from
last season.
After a brutal winter, the Pac-12 experienced an encouraging
spring with seven key players passing on the NBA draft and returning for the
2018-19 season.
Rosters were strengthened both at the top and in the middle,
creating the potential for the conference to not only secure a respectable
quantity of NCAA berths but also to send multiple teams into the second
weekend.
Below are the Hotline’s updated projections for the
conference race.
1. UCLA
(Previous: 2) The Bruins were slotted behind Oregon in the
initial projections on the expectation that Jaylen Hands would return but Kris
Wilkes would stay in the draft. With Wilkes back, the dynamic changes: He’s 14
points and five rebounds per game of proven playmaking and will join Hands and
5-star freshman center Moses Brown to give the Bruins what is arguably the top
point-wing-big combination in the conference. As much respect as the Hotline
has for Dana Altman’s ability to maximize his roster, we’re ever-so-slightly
leaning to UCLA as the favorite — Wilkes’ return means that much. All these
terrific Steve Alford recruiting classes will translate to a regular-season
title eventually, right … right?
2. Oregon
(Previous: 1) The Ducks experienced a quiet spring compared
to the roster changes at so many competing programs. The slip to No. 2 doesn’t
indicate a deterioration in confidence in the roster quality: Oregon remains a
threat to reach the second weekend of the NCAAs on the strength of its
returning experience (Payton Pritchard, Kenny Wooten), incoming talent (Bol
Bol, Louis King) and balance (offense-defense and inside-outside). Instead, the
Pac-12 now has two teams with high-level, late-March talent. I felt compelled
to pick an outright winner, but it’s not difficult to envision the Ducks and
Bruins tying for the regular-season title at 14-4 or 13-5.
3. Washington
(Previous: 5) I wasn’t sure about Noah Dickerson, Matisse
Thybulle or Jaylen Nowell at the time of the original projections. Turns out,
only Dickerson tested the waters, and he’s coming back, giving the Huskies a
vital frontcourt complement to their perimeter talent. The final roster
features four returning double-digits scorers from a team that went 10-8 and
threatened to make the NCAAs until the final weeks. (The Huskies added 7-foot
rookie Bryan Penn-Johnson this spring for additional help up front.) I’d
hesitate to place UW on quite the same talent tier as Oregon or UCLA but would
be only mildly surprised if the Huskies won the conference.
4. USC
(Previous: 6) Bennie Boatwright’s return — he opted against
even testing the waters — was one of the conference’s most significant spring
developments: The Trojans retain not only his production (13.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
but his leadership, which will be vital in the wake of point guard Jordan
McLaughlin’s departure. The returning core has loads of potential with Jonah
Mathews, Nick Rakocevic and Jordan Usher, plus two gifted perimeter prospects
in Elijah Weaver, the likely starting point guard, and Kevin Porter, a 5-star
wing. If Boatwright stays healthy and the chemistry solidifies early, USC could
contend for the title into the final weeks.
5. Arizona
Wilner's All-Conference Projections
First Team
Washington G
Matisse Thybulle
UCLA G/F Kris
Wilkes
USC F Bennie
Boatwright
Oregon State F
Tres Tinkle
Oregon C Bol Bol
Second Team
Oregon G Payton
Pritchard
Utah G Sedrick
Barefield
Colorado G
McKinley Wright
Washington F Noah
Dickerson
Washington State F
Robert Franks
Third Team
UCLA G Jaylen
Hands
Stanford G Daejon
Davis
Arizona G Brandon
Williams
USC F Nick
Rakocevic
Oregon F Kenny
Wooten
Fourth Team
Arizona State G
Remy Martin
Washington G
Jaylen Nowell
Arizona G Emmanuel
Akot
Oregon State G
Stephen Thompson
Cal F Justice
Sueing
(Previous: 7) Sean Miller impressively upgraded the roster
this spring with a mix of recruits and transfers. Point guard Brandon Williams
gives the Wildcats a top talent at the most important position, and there are
numerous options elsewhere with returnees (Emmanuel Akot, Brandon Randolph) and
transfers (Duke’s Chase Jeter, Pitt’s Ryan Luther and Samford’s Justin
Coleman). This won’t be a dominant team, not by any stretch, but as noted
previously: The ’19 Wildcats might do more with what they have than any Arizona
team in years. Chemistry and urgency are often easier to muster when
expectations are low, and they haven’t been this low in Tucson since the early
Miller era.
6. Colorado
(Previous: 4) In contrast to the immensely spring roster
overhaul in Tucson, we have stability in Boulder … stability and what should be
a quiet confidence: The Buffaloes are the Hotline’s No. 1 sleeper pick for
2019, partly because of McKinley Wright, one of the conference’s top point
guards — he averaged 14.2 points and 5.5 assists per game — and partly because
of an undervalued set of returnees that includes sophomore wing Tyler Bey, who
just might emerge as the Pac-12’s most improved player. CU’s homecourt
advantage is also part of the calculation, in that it limits the number of
likely losses.
7. Arizona State
(Previous: 9) Attribute the uptick in ASU’s ranking to the
steep decline of one team (Stanford) and the spring addition of Uros Plavsic, a
skilled 7-foot-1 prospect who gives the Sun Devils much-needed help on the frontline.
Combine Plavsic with the other talented newcomers (Taeshon Cherry, Luguentz
Dort, Elias Valtonen) and a decent returning cast (Remy Martin and Romello
White, to name two), plus San Diego State transfer Zylan Cheatham, and ASU has
enough options to offset the departures of guards Tra Holder and Shannon Evans.
The Hotline, however, is skeptical that any combination will propel the Devils
to the top tier of an improved conference.
8. Utah
(Previous: 8) Along with this projection comes the likelihood
that it will look comically misguided by February: Not since the 2014 season
have the Utes finished lower than fourth — a testament to Larry Krystkowiak’s
ability to identify, assimilate and develop talent at a level unsurpassed in
the conference. (Sedrick Barefield’s dalliance with the NBA had no impact on
Utah’s placement, because he was viewed as a candidate to depart when the
original projections were made.) Success hinges on second and third options
emerging from a roster that lost four starters. Perhaps that’s Donnie Tillman,
perhaps Jayce Johnson, perhaps a commodity unknown.
9. Stanford
(Previous: 3) Yep, this is a big drop … a huge drop. And
it’s the result of two developments: 1) The departure (as a grad transfer) of
Reid Travis, who was a double-double machine and made the role players better
as the most confounding frontcourt matchup in the conference (returnees like KZ
Okpala and Daejon Davis have vastly more difficult tasks without Travis around
to create opportunities) and 2) Roster upgrades at a slew of competing
programs, via either spring recruiting (Arizona) or NBA Draft decisions
(Washington, USC).
10. Oregon State
(Previous: 10) The May addition of combo guard Jordan
Campbell will bolster backcourt depth, but OSU’s success starts with Tres
Tinkle and ends with the Thompson brothers, Stephan and Ethan. The trio
averaged 45 points last season and — without big man Drew Eubanks — must
somehow improve on that production for the Beavers to jump to the next level
after back-to-back seasons of 10th place (or worse) finishes. More of the same
won’t cut it, because so many teams in the middle of the conference improved
their rosters.
11. Cal
(Previous: 11)
Another instance in which the team might be incrementally better than it was
last season — the Bears couldn’t have been much worse — but is in danger of
losing ground relative to the competition. Wyking Jones will lean heavily on
returning forward Justice Sueing (13.8 ppg), whose task is made more difficult
by the departure (as a transfer) of top scorer Don Coleman. Incoming wings
Jacobi Gordon and Matt Bradley and big man Connor Vanover (as in: 7-foot-3 big)
must make immediate contributions if the Bears are to have any chance of
escaping the lowest tier.
12. Washington State
(Previous: 12) The return of Robert Franks gives WSU a
chance … a chance to avoid 1-17/0-18 … a chance to reach the outskirts of
respectability … a chance for Ernie Kent to hold his job beyond the spring. But
Franks will have to be even better than he was last season (17.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg)
in order to offset the departure of guard Malachi Flynn (to transfer) and the
dark clouds circling the program. After the initial success (7-11 in conference)
in Kent’s first season, the Cougars have gone 11-43 in the past three.
::::::::::::::::::::
Navajo faculty member brings unique perspective to language
By Linda Weiford, WSU News June 11, 2018
SPOKANE, Wash. – When Megan Brendal was in grade school, a
language-screening test labeled her as “limited English proficient.”
Among other things, she misidentified a leaf as a feather
and said that boats were often seen on the street, not water.
But the standardized test didn’t take into account that
Brendal was from the desert vistas of New Mexico, where pinyon trees have
needles instead of leaves, and vehicles towing boats on roads to distant
waterways is an everyday sight.
In Brendal’s world, her answers were correct. Her language
wasn’t impaired. She was different.
Years later, Washington State University recruited her, in
part, because of her difference.
Assessing the individual
Brendal is a member of the Navajo Nation, the second largest
tribe in the country. In 2017, she earned her master’s degree at WSU and soon
afterward became the first Native American faculty member of WSU’s Department of
Speech and Hearing Services, part of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
Weaving an I’ve-been-there perspective to her work with
children, she helps ensure that their communication is being viewed and
assessed on an individual basis.
“I’ve learned from my own experience how cultural and
regional differences shape how a child speaks, listens and learns, and how that
affects whether or not academic and individual needs are being met,” said
Brendal, who became a speech-language pathologist clinical fellow after
graduating from WSU.
“Providing speech-language services requires an awareness
of, and a sensitivity to, an individual’s life experiences, as well as the
experiences of their families and communities,” she explained.
Brendal serves as the speech-language pathologist and
research coordinator for WSU’s Early Social Communication and Language Lab,
focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Serving diverse populations
Her recruitment was part of a two-decade-long effort to
attract Native American students to WSU’s speech-language program, and in turn,
better serve diverse populations.
Brendal credits assistant professor Lauren Swineford, who
oversees the language lab and helped recruit her to WSU, and associate
professor Ella Inglebret, now retired, for fostering an environment of support
and guidance during her time as a student and later, as a clinician.
“Coming from a Native community, strong networks are
important and I’m grateful for what WSU has provided, and continues to
provide,” she said.
Brendal hopes to earn her doctorate, return to her home
community in New Mexico where she can provide speech services for Navajo
families, and eventually teach.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Groundbreaking
for V. Lane Rawlins Research, Education Complex Quad Set for morning of June
27, 2018
June
12, 2018 WSU INSIDER
PULLMAN, Wash. – A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the
start of construction of WSU’s fourth life sciences research building — the V.
Lane Rawlins Research and Education Complex — is slated for 10 a.m. Wednesday,
June 27.
The complex, to be located between the current
Biotechnology/Life Sciences Building and the Food Science and Human Nutrition
Building, will promote collaborative and interdisciplinary life sciences
research in agricultural research.
This ceremony will honor the long-standing research
relationship with the state’s agricultural sector and demonstrate WSU’s
commitment to working side-by-side with producers to maintain the state of
Washington’s leadership role in providing innovative agricultural products both
at home and across the globe.
Faculty, staff and students are invited to join WSU
President Kirk Schulz; College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource
Sciences Dean André Wright; and university leadership in this event.
…………………
WSU COUGARS IN THE NFL DRAFT
Luke Falk and Cole
Madison head into mini-camp
By Nick Nordi Coug Center Jun 12, 2018
While the Washington State Cougars may be deep into the
off-season, those that graduated and were fortunate enough to sign with an NFL
team will begin their mandatory mini-camps with their respective teams today
and will continue for the next three days. There are four teams that have
already completed their mandatory mini-camps; Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions,
Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots had theirs last week.
Both Luke Falk and Cole Madison, who were the only two
Cougars taken in the 2018 NFL Draft, will start today with the Tennessee Titans
and the Green Bay Packers. Other players like Daniel Ekuale (Cleveland Browns)
and Frankie Luvu (New York Jets) will report to their respective teams today
too after signing as undrafted free agents. This wont be the first time they
will get to don their teams colors however as they attended rookie mini-camp
right after the NFL Draft was completed earlier this season.
Hercules Mata’afa signed with the Minnesota Vikings earlier
this year as an undrafted free agent as well but bad news came from his camp
last week when it was announced that he had torn his ACL. The injury will
likely hold him out for the year but the Vikings have said that they like him
and will stick with him after his injury heals.
The mini-camp will last for three days and will be the last
time until July that they will be required to be together as a team.
Five other players were invited to tryouts earlier this year
but it is not known yet if they will be in attendance today with those teams.
Cody O’Connell (Indianapolis Colts), Jamal Morrow (Seattle Seahawks and Tampa
Bay Buccaneers), Gerard Wicks (New Orleans Saints), Erik Powell (Houston
Texans), and Dylan Hanser (Atlanta Falcons)
*****
Basketball:
Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame reveals 2018 class |
HeraldNet.com
Janet Kusler was a member of Snohomish High School’s first
ever girls basketball team, then attended Washington State University where she
was a four-year starter and finished her career as the Cougars’ career leader
in points and rebounds. Following college she competed with the AAU SeaBaskets
in the early 1980s, helping the team win an AAU national championship.
……….
According to Cougfan.com, Street & Smith's preseason
magazine sees WSU missing bowl game in 2018 football season.
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