With head coach Jimmy Rogers heading to Iowa State University, numerous names have floated around as potential fits for the long-term solution. Tim Plough, Brent Vigen, Bryan Harsin, Cody Hawkins and even Jesse Bobbit are among the suitors for the job. 

While the resumes of these candidates may be impressive, there is a dark horse candidate that is a perfect fit for the Cougs… Luke Falk. 

The former Coug quarterback made a post Sunday on social media, officially throwing his hat in the ring for the head coaching position. As a Palouse product, Falk noted that college football is not the same environment he grew up in. 

“College football has changed,” Falk said in his post. “The landscape we grew up with is gone, and the programs that survive will be those that adapt and act boldly. While others see chaos, I see opportunity.” 

Falk’s coaching resume is not the most impressive. He has coached at Wingate and Northern Iowa University, both Division II programs (neither of which he was the head coach). Before that, he founded 4QB Training, a quarterback and mind strength coaching business. 

While his experience is not as extensive, he makes up for it with his competitive mindset and mental coaching background. In his post, Falk lets that shine through.

“It’s time to end the victim mindset – time to stop focusing on what we don’t have and start maximizing what we do,” he said. “Washington State doesn’t need an excuse-maker. It needs someone who grabs the reins, refuses to flinch and turns what we have into something the nation can’t ignore.”

That mindset stems almost directly from the man who developed Falk on the Palouse: Mike Leach. 

“Coach Leach never complained about what WSU lacked,” Falk said.  “He maximized our strengths, embraced our identity, and made history. It’s time to do it again.” 

With Rogers leaving for Iowa State, his dream job and a pay raise tacked on, Falk made it clear that WSU would not be a stepping stone for him.

“This program doesn’t need another coach shopping for their next job,” he said. “It needs someone who sees Pullman as THE job – someone who isn’t renting the keys, but owns the mission. That someone is me.” 

Stuffing the bank account is far from Falk’s focus. Rather, he plans to do more with less. 

“When building a staff, I’ll lean on a quote my dad has shared with me… ‘Take a smaller piece of the pie and grow it’,” he said. “I intend to do exactly that. I’m committed to take less so we can invest more – to hire elite coaches of character who WANT to be on the Palouse.” 

Yes, I have knocked Falk for his slim resume. However, his experience in the college football ecosystem does serve him well.

“My experience as both a player and coach have given me access to exceptional football minds and leaders,” he said. “I am confident in my ability to assemble a staff fully aligned with the mission of elevating Washington State and developing the young men we are fortunate to coach.” 

Falk is not the prototypical head coaching hire. The Utah native is only 30 years old, has not coached at the D-1 level and would not be bringing any transfers with him from his previous programs. However, all of that contributes to a qualified candidacy.

College athletics is changing. Falk understands that. Consistency is already at a premium. Having a coach committed long-term builds trust in the program. It is something that will make WSU stand out from the crowd.   

What Falk lacks in experience and tenure, he makes up for in pure pride. His story, journey and mindset all embody what it means to be a Coug.

“The odds of earning a scholarship as a walk-on are slim,” he said. “The odds of earning the starting job are slimmer. Becoming an all-conference player, the school’s all-time winningest quarterback, and the conference’s all-time leading passer? Only one of one have done it… I am not an ordinary person… Washington State is not an ordinary place.” 

WSU needs a head coach for the long haul. They need a coach who won’t hop on a plane when Iowa State calls. As a diehard Coug, Falk is that coach. 

Do not get me wrong, I do not blame Rogers for going to Iowa State. He made it clear it was his dream job, and I will not knock him for that. Falk, however, has made it clear that WSU is his dream job. 

“My wife and I have said many times since leaving college coaching that the only job we’d return for is at Washington State University,” he said. “This is the moment. The door is open. The opportunity is now. I’m your guy… Go Falking Cougs!” 

Is this all talk? I could not tell you. When Rogers came to the Palouse, he said he was here for the long haul as well. What I can tell you is that Cougar pride is a powerful force. The Palouse never truly leaves WSU alumni, and that is the case for Falk. 

Would it be a gamble to hire him? Absolutely. But Cougs bet on Cougs. Falk made this team better when he was on the field and I have faith he would do it from the sideline as well. 

If you give him the headset, he will do what he did best in his glory days… win.