Days after Washington State coach Mike Leach announced Montana defensive coordinator Mike Breske would join the Cougars staff in the same capacity, Wazzu sent out a release finalizing Leach’s coaching staff -- some of which were already known.
New to the Cougar staff will be Breske, Jeff Choate (linebackers), Jim Mastro (running backs), Clay McGuire (offensive line), Eric Morris (inside receivers), Eric Russell (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator), Joe Salave’a (defensive line), Dennis Simmons (outside receivers) and Paul Volero (outside linebackers).
Choate has spent the past six seasons at Boise State coaching a variety of positions. Mastro comes from Rick Neuheisel’s staff at UCLA, McGuire and Simmons come from East Carolina with former TTU defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill and Morris arrives from a one-year stint at Houston.
Both McGuire and Morris played under Leach at Texas Tech.
Russell, as was reported back in December, comes to Washington State from Tennessee, but also spent one year with Leach at TTU. Salave’a arrives, also previously reported, from Arizona.
Volero coached briefly at Eastern Michigan, but spent the past two years as defensive coordinator at Key West High School in Florida.
Below is a statement from Leach:
“This group of assistant coaches is hard working and one that I have a high level of comfort with,” said Leach. “Each one has had success at a high level and brings a tremendous passion to Washington State. Having worked with many of them previously the communication element is already in place, they understand my vision and this will be a staff that works well together.”