Washington State and the Pac-12 will both review allegations made by former Washington State star receiver Marquess Wilson that first-year coach Mike Leach and his staff were abusive to players.
The school announced that Wilson was suspended last week amid reports that he left a challenging conditioning workout on Nov. 4, the Sunday after the Cougars lost to Utah.
On Saturday, Wilson released a statement that said he had left the team, and that Leach and his staff have "preferred to belittle, intimidate and humiliate us," and that included physical abuse.
On Sunday, Washington State president Elson S. Floyd released a statement:
After consultation with WSU Athletic Director Bill Moos, I have asked our athletic department to fully review recent allegations raised concerning the football program and report their findings and conclusions as soon as possible. Simultaneously, I have asked the Pac-12 to independently do the same. Together, both reports should get to the bottom of the matter.
Leach was out of coaching two years before being hired by Washington State. He spent 10 seasons as Texas Tech’s coach but was fired in 2009 for insubordination.
It is unclear what Wilson's plans are. He entered the season as an All-American candidate but seemed to have problems with Leach almost immediately. Even though he led the team with 52 receptions for 813 yards this season, Leach had demoted him from the starting lineup.
The Cougars entered the season with bowl hopes, but they are 2-8 and have lost seven in a row.
Suffice it to say, this was not what Moos hoped for when he hired Leach amid much local and national fanfare.