WSU has relieved defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding of his duties, head coach Jake Dickert announced Monday.
“I appreciate all the hard work that Jeff has had for our program during his two years here in Pullman,” Dickert said. “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. I informed Jeff this morning that he will no longer be the defensive coordinator and wish him well in his future.”
Schmedding spent the last two seasons as the Cougs’ defensive coordinator. He was hired after he held the same role at Auburn in 2022.
Before that, he was an assistant at Eastern Washington for 10 years before becoming the defensive coordinator for three. He then spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Boise State before going to Auburn to be the linebacker coach.
The move comes after a rough season for the WSU defense. The Cougs allowed 28 points per game (90), 255 passing yards per game (116) and 174 rushing yards per game (96). The most staggering number was 157 missed tackles, the seventh most in the nation.
The Cougs were able to overcome the defensive struggles most of the season with a bend but don’t break approach and an elite offense, but the dam broke losing to New Mexico and Oregon State while allowing 38 and 41 points, respectively.
Schmedding’s defense lost seven defensive starters to graduation and the NFL from year one to two, putting him in a rebuilding position. But following a tough year, Dickert, a former defensive coordinator, decided to make the move.
It is yet to be announced, but Dickert will likely call defensive plays in the Cougs upcoming bowl game. It is yet to be seen if more coaching moves will follow.
