In a stunning development, the Washington State Cougars have fired defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding following a late-season collapse that saw the team lose three consecutive games to opponents with losing records. The move, announced Monday by head coach Jake Dickert, comes as a surprise given the Cougars’ promising 8-1 start to the season.
Dickert expressed his appreciation for Schmedding’s hard work over the past two years but ultimately felt a change was necessary. “After evaluating our program, we have not met the standard defensively, and I felt a change was needed for the best interest of the program,” Dickert stated.
A Season of Promise Derailed
Washington State’s season began with high hopes and an impressive 8-1 record, but the team’s fortunes took a dramatic turn in the final stretch. Losses to New Mexico, Oregon State, and Wyoming – all teams with sub-.500 records – exposed glaring defensive weaknesses and raised questions about the program’s direction.
Despite facing a relatively soft schedule (ranked 111th nationally), the Cougars struggled mightily on defense. They ranked 90th in scoring defense, 116th in yards allowed per game (429.0), and a dismal 120th in yards allowed per rush (5.2). These numbers paint a picture of a unit unable to contain opposing offenses, particularly on the ground.
Schmedding’s Brief Tenure
Jeff Schmedding arrived in Pullman prior to the 2023 season, fresh off a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at Auburn under Bryan Harsin. He had previously worked with Harsin at Boise State and began his coaching career at his alma mater, Eastern Washington.
Ironically, before being named head coach in 2021, Jake Dickert had served as Washington State’s defensive coordinator. This fact adds an additional layer of intrigue to the decision to part ways with Schmedding, as it suggests Dickert had a clear vision for the defense that was not being realized.
What’s Next for the Cougars?
As Washington State begins its search for a new defensive coordinator, questions linger about the program’s trajectory. Will a new hire be able to quickly turn around a struggling defense? How will this change impact recruiting and player morale? And perhaps most importantly, does this move signal deeper issues within the Cougars’ football program?
One thing is certain: the pressure is now squarely on Jake Dickert to right the ship. With the Pac-12 Conference as competitive as ever, Washington State cannot afford another late-season collapse. Cougar fans will be watching closely to see how this latest coaching change impacts the team’s fortunes moving forward.
As the college football world digests this surprising news, one can only speculate about the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to Jeff Schmedding’s dismissal. For now, the focus in Pullman will be on finding a new defensive leader who can restore the Cougars to their early-season form and build a foundation for long-term success.
