The greatest season in the history of the Washington State football program has earned its leader a prestigious individual honor.
Tuesday, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced that Mike Leach has been named as its FBS National Coach of the Year. Leach becomes the first Wazzu head coach to take home the honor, and, per the school, just the second coach in the program’s history (Mike Price, 1997) to take home a national Coach of the Year honor.
“This is a great team award and I am honored to accept this on behalf of our team,” Leach said in a brief statement.
Congratulations to our leader, @Coach_Leach for being named AFCA National Coach of the Year! It was a fun season in Pullman, WA! #GoCougs #JoinTheHunt pic.twitter.com/iAeQ2y7xiJ
— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) January 8, 2019
Wazzu finished the 2018 season 11-2, the most-ever wins in the history of a program that stretches back more than 100 years. The 37 wins the past four seasons are the most in any four-year stretch for the school, surpassing the 35 won from 2001-04.
Leach, 49-40 overall in his seven seasons in Pullman, is also the first Cougars coach to lead Wazzu to four straight bowl games.