- Better fan attendance
WSU’s fan attendance, and specifically student attendance, could use a boost in 2025. The student section, especially at basketball games, has been increasingly thin. Although it might be tougher to get students excited about games against Pacific and Pepperdine than against USC and UCLA, there should still be enough students to fill a solid student section, at least on Saturdays.
2. Better fan experience
With that being said, WSU should also focus on the fan experience. Increasing vendor options and fan rewards would be a great start, and to help get more fans active throughout the game, an emphasis on crowd support would be a good idea. Coming up with unique chants, dances or activities for the student section at basketball games.
3. Fewer players transferring away
Last year, the Cougars were decimated by the transfer portal. Over thirty football players, including star QB John Mateer, RB Wayshawn Parker and LB Buddha Al-Uqdah. In basketball, they lost stars such as Charlisse Leger-Walker and Myles Rice. There is no way to sugarcoat it; the transfer portal was WSU’s biggest enemy in 2024. The Cougs would love it if they could soften the blows in 2025, keep more players in crimson and gray and stay competitive without needing to rebuild every year.
4. No late-season collapse in football!
The past two seasons have both featured late-season collapses in football, with the Cougs being ranked in the top 20 back-to-back years, but suffering four-game losing streaks in back-to-back years as well. In 2025, the Cougars and new head coach Jimmy Rogers should make it a priority to avoid a similar collapse.
5. Continue to build the Pac-12
WSU and Oregon State have done a remarkable job of rebuilding the Pac-12 from its near death to a solid group of eight schools. However, the conference still needs an eighth full member and a media rights package for 2026. There is more work to do in rebuilding the Pac-12, and Wazzu should resolve to finish the job as soon as possible.
