Washington State University has parted ways with Athletic Director Anne McCoy after just 17 months in the role, ending a two-decade career at the school. McCoy’s dismissal comes as WSU continues to battle financial constraints, minimal resources and an evolving college sports landscape dominated by NIL and revenue-sharing demands.
WSU President Betsy Cantwell, who has made athletics and NIL a central focus of her tenure, said the school needs roughly $20 million in new annual funding to remain competitive. Alumni close to the situation estimate that $10 million for football and $5 million for men’s basketball would put the Cougars in position to compete for championships.
“We’re at the bottom of every team coming into the Pac for football in NIL. We cannot stay there and compete and win,” Cantwell said.
McCoy’s tenure was defined by challenges beyond her control, limited budgets, declining attendance and the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference, which left only WSU and Oregon State to rebuild. Despite the uphill battle, she made efforts to boost fundraising, including community events in Spokane featuring football Coach Jimmy Rogers and basketball Coach David Riley.
Her hiring of Riley was one of the bright spots, as he followed in the footsteps of Kyle Smith, who had a winning culture. Despite losing his top three players to NIL this past off-season, he has done his best with the limited talent available to him. McCoy also inherited a football program in a tricky situation after Jake Dickert’s departure.
McCoy hired Jimmy Rogers, a Division-II powerhouse head coach at South Dakota State University. Rogers has led an up and down season, but on the biggest stage all season. Versus top 25 ranked Ole Miss, he coached out of his mind leading to a three point loss.
Even Rogers has had issues with funding in athletics. After losing 59-24 in the Apple Cup, Rogers in his post game presser said he does not have the necessary resources.
“We don’t have the resources naturally to compete with $30 million,” Rogers said.
In the end, McCoy was dealt a near-impossible hand leading a financially strained athletic department with little institutional backing. Her firing appears less about performance and more about philosophy, as Cantwell seeks an athletic director focused primarily on fundraising.
