PULLMAN, Wash. – New Washington State football coach Jimmy Rogers got emotional Thursday, as he took the microphone for the first time as coach of the Cougars.
“I’m blessed,” Rogers said at his introductory press conference at Martin Stadium.
Rogers comes to WSU from his alma mater, South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to a 27-3 record in two seasons as head coach. He led the team to an FCS championship in 2003.
He started the news conference by thanking his family, including his wife who has been on the journey with him since he was washing uniforms as a graduate assistant at South Dakota State.
Rogers got emotional when thanking his mentor and the staff and administration at SDSU. He got emotional again when he thanked the assistant coaches and their families who have made the transition with him to WSU.
“When I took the interview at Washington State, the first thing that struck me right away was the people I interviewed with,” Rogers said, citing their passion for WSU and for the community of Pullman.
“Washington State is a special place,” he said, talking about working in a community that has bought into the university. “I believe in this brand… this place is awesome.”
He also said he believes the program has more to give.
“I didn’t come here to lose and neither did this coaching staff,” he said. “I believe in this.”
Rogers said fans should expect toughness, teamwork, understanding expectations and creating focus so that players can go out and finish games.
“This is the next chapter of Washington State football. We will rise and we will be a national contender,” he said.
Rogers replaces Jake Dickert, who left WSU after four seasons as head coach. Dickert is now the coach at Wake Forest.
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