Pretty hard to believe so many people who claim to know football are whining about how big, bad Mr. Leach is destroying an already downtrodden program with his meanie attitude.

Basically, this comes down to different styles of coaching. Some guys manage to win by being "player's coaches" (Pete Carroll comes to mind), and others do it with a take no $hit, this is MY team attitude. I like to see the nice guys succeed, because I relate to them better personally, but I'm willing to bet that if you took an honest look at the coaches associated with greatness over time, you'd find that a larger percentage are the do it my way or get out of my way guys. Either way, it's safe to say that all successful coaches stick with their own philosophies. It's the only way they can be effective. Leach says something like that in just about every interview I've heard, and the way he's handling his team is consistent with that philosophy.

It's worth pointing out that there is a very important common thread between successful coaches from both camps: they all put the guys who are buying in and busting their butts in the game and sit down the ones who they feel either aren't listening or trying hard enough, no matter how talented they are. Nothing new here. If Marques Wilson doesn't agree with the coach's philosophy, he should transfer (or quit if he's in his last year of eligibility), because as he's learning, questioning the coach won't get him playing time.

So why am I playing the apologist? Well, I don't mean to do that, but as someone who's seen Mike Leach turn a perennially mediocre program (Tx. Tech) into a championship contender in only a few years, I have a lot of respect for his coaching ability, regardless of whether I like him personally or not. Tech was one of my alma mater's in-state rivals, and with Leach at the helm, they went from being a team that could be taken lightly to one that got circled as a turning point on the schedule. His offense is extremely difficult to stop when being run by a team that knows how to use it. Right now, he doesn't have that team, but the players that want to be on that team are working hard and being rewarded with playing time. It will probably take two more seasons to develop a team that can run the system effectively, but if the fans and alums can wait it out, I think they will see a much more competitive team, with a chance to win every game, even if they don't do so every time.

To expect any coach to turn around the long-standing culture of losing that hangs over Pullman today in a single season is plain ridiculous. That's not to say it has never happened, but if a program is serious about getting better, they shouldn't insist on that result. Give this guy until the Fall 2014 season to get his guys on the field and familiar with his system, and then make your judgments. Bill Doba and Paul Wulff seemed like great guys (the kind I like to root for), but the players didn't seem to be responding to them very well. So far, they don't seem to be doing a lot better, but maybe, just maybe, a little tough love and a chip on the shoulder will work, given at least a little more time.