The Mike Leach era will continue at Washington State through at least 2018, as the coach had his contract renewed by the university on Monday. 

Director of Athletics Bill Moos announced the decision and said Leach has done many things for the football program already. 

“(Leach) has elevated the program on the field, in the community, and in the classroom,” Moos said. “I believe he is among the best college football coaches in America and is a fantastic fit in Pullman.”

Leach has led the Cougars to their highest total wins in the season since 2006. During his time with the team, he has created a new tradition that will continue the longer he stays in Pullman.

“It just means that there’s more years guaranteed of great Cougar football and we just have more years of the same message and bringing in guys that are going to want to be around a winning tradition,” running back Marcus Mason said. 

That message is to not dwell on anything for too long, even if it is a big success. 

“You have to move on or else you’re going to (be) stuck living in the past forever,” Mason said. “So just always respecting everyone and fearing no one, and just every day coming to work.”

Senior linebacker Justin Sagote said Leach is a strict coach, but a good coach, too. 

“We just kind of needed some discipline on offense, defense and special teams,” Sagote said. “I think he plays a role in all of them. He plays a role on this whole team. He made us come together as a team and not (as) individuals.” 

However, some players did deviate slightly from the message that the strict coach has sent. Some of the seniors looked to the future of the program. Others reminisced over their careers with the Cougars, knowing that Saturday’s game will be the last one they play in Martin Stadium. 

“I think it’s gotten progressively better since I’ve been here, each senior class leaving, but I hope that we’re remembered as the ones that started it all and got this thing back on track,” senior offensive lineman Elliott Bosch said. 

Senior safety Deone Bucannon instead looked back on his time with the Cougars and how playing his last home game will affect him.

“It’s kind of like something that I don’t want to have happen, but at the same time, it’s going to happen,” Bucannon said. “I love this school so much and I love playing with my teammates and I love playing in Martin Stadium.” 

With an extended contract, Leach will lead the Cougars onto the turf of Martin Stadium for the last time game of the season this Saturday, which is also Senior Night. But no matter the circumstances, the players in the huddle and on the sidelines will all have one goal on that particular day.  

“Everyone has that ‘one-game-at-a-time’ mentality, and that’s what we’re looking at, is Utah,” Bucannon said. “But we’re here to show the nation what we’re all about and that we can be a force. It’s everyone’s goal to just win as many games as possible and that’s also our goal.”