Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Doba quietly kept Wazzu on right path
By Ted Miller Special to ESPN.com
Washington State's magical season might have turned into a rotten Apple Cup, but Cougars coach Bill Doba didn't change a bit.
Why should he? He's no Cinderella. A first-year head coach at 63, his fairy godmother has long since retired to Florida.
If the Cougars had managed to win their first Apple Cup over Washington since 1997 and advanced to a second consecutive Rose Bowl, Doba would have been a front-runner for national coach of the year.
That probably won't happen now, a bit of news Doba likely would greet with a wry smile and a shrug.
Bill Doba quietly kept Wazzu in the spotlight while he stayed out of it.
Doba was possibly the nation's most anonymous BCS conference head coach when the season began. He quietly replaced Mike Price, who made an ill-fated decision to take over at Alabama, and quietly led a team, of which little was expected, into the nation's top-10.
So Oklahoma can have Bob Stoop's swagger. Michigan can keep prickly Lloyd Carr.
Pete Carroll's Anthony Robbins routine at USC is producing impressive results, but his roster is overflowing with future NFL stars.
Doba is rock-solid. He's funny and unpretentious. He treats people with respect. He's been married 41 years. He has three children and six grandchildren.
College football fans should be thankful that the sport still reserves a place for men like Doba.
Most teams are looking for the next superstar coach -- a smooth, charismatic leader who charms prep All-Americans as well as big-money boosters.
Doba is different. He was a high school coach in his native state of Indiana from 1962-76. He didn't take the leap to the college ranks until he was 37. He was an assistant at Indiana, Purdue and The Citadel before spending 14 years under Price.
He admits he never thought he would get a head coaching job, particularly after Indiana spurned his overtures for an interview two years ago.
The Cougars welcomed back a solid core of talent this season but were without their three marquee players from 2002: cornerback Marcus Trufant, defensive tackle Rien Long and quarterback Jason Gesser, the emotional leader of the team.
While many fans were outspoken with their doubts about senior quarterback Matt Kegel, who imploded in a relief appearance in the 2002 Apple Cup, Doba relentlessly defended Kegel. Doba insisted from the start of spring practices that he had complete confidence in Kegal.
That unwavering support transformed Kegel. While injuries prevented him from playing beyond the second quarter against Washington, he turned in a solid year, leading the Cougars to a second-place finish in the Pac-10 and a bowl victory short of their third consecutive 10-win season.
During the week leading up to the Apple Cup, Doba was diplomatic about the Huskies struggles this season and convinced his team to do the same. He restored class to a rivalry that was starting to show signs of ugly bitterness -- see a bottle-throwing incident that followed the previous year's game at Washington State.
After the Cougars were upset 27-19, Doba didn't make excuses. He didn't blame the officials or harp on the fact that he was forced to play freshman Josh Swogger at quarterback most of the game.
"I give credit to (the Huskies)," Doba said. "They played well. They played their hearts out."
When asked about a critical fumble by freshman receiver Chris Jordan, Doba stood up for his player, pointing out Jordan tore his ACL on the play.
"He dropped the ball, and I don't blame him," Doba said. "I would have, too."
Doba certainly hasn't dropped the ball after his surprising ascension. He's surpassed expectations while insisting business be conducted with class. College football needs more coaches like him.
Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
