WSU probe finds no abuse by Leach, staff

PULLMAN — Following a review of the Washington State University football program, athletic director Bill Moos found “no report or detection of abuse or inappropriate behavior” by coach Mike Leach or his staff of assistants, Moos wrote in a memo made public by the university on Wednesday.

WSU President Elson Floyd requested that both the school and the Pac-12 conduct a review of the football program following allegations made on Nov. 10 by former receiver Marquess Wilson that coaches had engaged in “physical, emotional and verbal abuse.”

Wilson walked out of a Nov. 4 workout and quit the team later that week.

The Pac-12’s report is expected to be released soon. The school’s report is essentially an exoneration of WSU’s coaching staff and includes the news that Wilson softened his claims in a text message to Moos at 11:33 the night of WSU’s game against UCLA on Nov. 10.

According to documents obtained by The Spokesman-Review through a public records request, Moos forwarded to Floyd that message from Wilson via email.

At 1:57 a.m. on Nov. 11, Moos wrote to Floyd that Wilson’s message was “sent to me at 11:33. Unfortunate as our guys gave a valiant effort and deserved to be the lead story.”

The attached message reads: “Mr. Moos this is marquess … With that letter I wasn’t trying to accuse the coaches of hitting players or anything. I was just trying to put it in different terms and now everything is getting misinterpreted and I didn’t mean it like that at all … I simply was trying to get my story across and get my name cleared instead of having it say I’m suspended for breaking team violations … That could mean like I did drugs or something … I was never trying to harm the university or the program with it.”

Floyd responded to Moos’ email at 8:14 a.m. that day: “Well, the damage is done now. I must repair it and move on.”

They did so by conducting a full review of the program, which included interviews of 12 players conducted by upper-level staffers Bob Minnix and John Johnson.

The players interviewed, Moos said, represented “a real good cross section” of the WSU roster, though he declined to name them.

Moos wrote in the review that “the majority of the players stated that the player that walked out of practice let the team down and put them, their coach and WSU in a bad light.”

Moos noted in his conclusion that there are “three basic standards that are set at a high level and are not to be comprised … academics, personal behavior and maximum effort.”

The only real concern addressed by Moos in the final review was the use of a water hose by strength and conditioning staff to spray players who were working out in the sand pit.

Moos said that he learned of the spraying around midseason and put an immediate halt to it.

Emails obtained by The Spokesman-Review indicate that concerns had been raised with Moos before Wilson’s allegations were made.

In an email dated Nov. 1, a sender — whose name is redacted in the records released by WSU — claimed that in one instance, “players were made to hold 45-pound plates over their heads while coaches sprayed water in their faces with water hoses,” among a long list of other complaints.

Both Moos and Leach were asked by Floyd to respond to the sender’s concerns, according to an email sent by Floyd’s assistant later that day.

In a Nov. 7 memorandum to Floyd, Moos wrote that he had spoken with Leach and reviewed the concerns raised in a Nov. 1 “memo” — presumably the aforementioned list of concerns — and “concluded that much of what (the sender) stated was exaggerated or simply not true. There were however, a couple of concerns that did have merit and they have been addressed.”

In regard to Wilson’s initial allegations, Moos told reporters Wednesday that he found “our discipline was very consistent with other programs I’ve been involved with, and other BCS programs I have association with through their athletic directors.

“I didn’t get overly alarmed, but felt it was our due diligence to review this after those accusations were made.”

Leach, who is on the road recruiting, told The Spokesman-Review in a text message: “I’m pleased but not surprised. It is great to work at a university with the integrity of Washington State.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.