The Rise of Washington State University Football: The Erickson & Price Years

by Ben Donahue

The rise of the crimson and gray.
In 1987, Dennis Erickson arrived in Pullman, Washington to take over the struggling Washington State University football program. Under his leadership, the Cougars ended 1988 with a 9-3 record and a victory in the Aloha Bowl. In just two years, the team had transformed, and Erickson's lifelong friend, Mike Price, took over in 1989 to build on that legacy. By the end of Price's tenure, WSU had appeared in five bowl games including two Rose Bowls, eclipsing the four bowl games in the entire program's history. The coaches also produced a number of high-profile NFL quarterbacks, including Drew Bledsoe and Ryan Leaf.
Join author Ben Donahue as he explores how the Washington State University Cougars went from doormats to perpetual contenders.

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2023

Reviews

[Wawawai Yakawawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book written specifically for Washington State University football fans (Go Cougs!). That being said, there's not a lot of new information to be learned by reading the book if one has followed WSU since the 1980's. The high points of WSU football were given some "polish"; the low points are essentially ignored. Approximately 25 pages chronicle the history of WSU football from its inception through the mid-1980's. This book essentially highlights the accomplishments of WSU quarterbacks and coaches, starting with Dennis Erickson and Timm Rosenbach through the mania that surrounded Mike Leach and Gardner Minshew. It makes for quick and easy reading - don't pick it up with high expectations.