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Paul Wulff

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Chat with Washington State football head coach Paul Wulff on Thursday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m.

Moderator: Good morning Cougar fans and thank you for visiting WSUCougars.com and today's online chat with Washington State Football Head Coach Paul Wulff. Before we begin, you'll notice a 2010 ticket link at the top of this page. Click on this link to purchase football season tickets and individual game tickets. Individual tickets go on sale Saturday, August 7 at 10 a.m., only at WSUCougars.com. Paul, thank you for joining us today.

Paul Wulff: I like to welcome everybody to a new season of Cougar Football! The players and coaches are excited to take a big step this season for the program.

Reggie (Tacoma): Coach, How was your experience in New York for Pac-10 Media Day and at the Rose Bowl?

Paul Wulff: Reggie, it was great experience for me personally as well as the whole conference. The national exposure the conference and all of the individual schools received was invaluable.

Reggie (Tacoma): Coach, Can you please explain and inform fans, alumni, boosters, etc. of any WSU athletic facilities upgrades or needs, that will give our student-athletes the best opportunities to compete for Pac-10 and National Championships? Thanks.

Paul Wulff: Reggie, a new football complex, which would be a "one-stop" shop. What I mean by that is a complex that has locker rooms, an academic center, weight room, a dining area, football offices, Hall of Fame, and luxury seating for the fans. That, simply, is what all of our competitors have.

Reggie (Tacoma): Is there a new graduate assistant with WSU football who has ties to the state of Alabama and coaching? I keep hearing about a new graduate assistant but only see Sheldon Cross listed on the roster.

Paul Wulff: Yes, we have brought on Rudy Griffin who played at the University of Alabama to help out on offense.

Katie (Seattle): We were recently listed in the Media Poll as coming in number 10 in the Pac 10. It hurts as a fan to feel like the laughing stock of the conference. What can you tell fans about this year and what the players and you are hoping to bring to the game that might suprise these poll standings? If this year we are in the dreaded number 10 spot, what are your predictions for next year? Do we have some good kids coming in to blow 2011-12 season out of the water?

Paul Wulff: Katie, nobody likes to be at the bottom of their conference at anytime, pre- or post-season. But when programs have to be built from the ground up, there's going to be a few years of rough times. We are very youthful, yet, we have some talent who are going to bring great seasons and exciting times for Cougar fans. We all must look forward to where we are headed, not where we've been, good or bad.

Ryan (Kaunakakai, HI): Last year was seriously the first season I've been almost completely uninterested in Cougar football. Give me a reason to be excited this year.

Paul Wulff: Ryan, I understand your disappointment. But, understanding the process is critical to continue to follow your team, or any team, that is in its rebuilding stages. No program has been or will be built for long-term success in only two or three seasons. A lot like Dick Bennett's first three years, Donnie Marbut's first three years, Mike Price's next three years after the '98 Rose Bowl, and June Daugherty's first three years. To win in this conference you have to have mature players with multiple years of experience and a mature program overall with consistency. Until you have that, you cannot compete for a conference title or a bowl game. Right now will be the first time you'll be able to see the future look bright and young players making the types of plays needed to win in this conference. Keep the faith.

Joel/boise: Hi Paul, Thanks for all the hard work you and your staff do. OL recruiting: it's like this year is a tad like last year regardling the lack of DT's available last year and the lack of OL this year. Can we expect your group to skim the JC's (post season) or will we wait until next season bumper crop? thanks

Paul Wulff: Joel, we will have a mix of high school and junior college defensive and offensive line recruits for next year.

Bruce (Virginia Beach): Coach - With more experience at QB...upgrades on the OL...and the addition of Coach Morton...all major plusses in my book, will we see more wrinkles on offense this season? And, I'm excited about our defense's potential, too. Damned proud to be a Cougar!

Paul Wulff: Bruce, we plan on expanding our offense, primarily because we think we will be able to handle more and execute better than we have the last two seasons.

Steve (Richland): Listening to Coach Marbut speak at the Tailgate this summer he thinks that your program will do just what he has done. Do you see that? And do coaches help each other in the recruiting aspect?

Paul Wulff: Steve, Coach Marbut has been a great supporter and, yes, we help each other in recruiting as often as we can. In Donnie's fifth season he made postseason play and he did it again last year. It looks like he will continue that trend. We are starting our third season and our goal is to make it to postseason play as quickly as we possibly can.

Erik Coleman (Atlanta): When is Washington State going to retire Marcus Trufant's jersey?

Paul Wulff: Erik, I think we should do it as soon as we retire yours!

Collin (seattle): Hey Coach, first off best of luck this year! I am curious about CJ Mizell. since being in Pullman, is he as good as advertised and is it obvious why he was rated so high coming out of high school? thanks and go cougs!

Paul Wulff: Collin, CJ's physical attributes are all there. Granted, he needs to get bigger and stronger but as he gains experience over the next few years, the sky is the limit for him in the future.

Curran (Seattle): CPW, Looking forward to a great season of Coug Football! Do you see any 2010 all-conference players on D this year? If so, who?

Paul Wulff: Curran, there are a few candidates, if they have great seasons. They include Kevin Kooyman, Travis Long, and Daniel Simmons, to name a few. There could be three or four others who can step up and surprise. Additionally, I will mention punter Reid Forrest. It's all about field position and Reid is a great weapon to have on your team.

Dave (Clarkston): There has been alot published about the increase of our team strength and speed. How much of an impact do you think that will have this year.

Paul Wulff: Dave, it should have a big impact in our performance. Our strength coaches Darin Lovat and Marco Candido have done a wonderful job in improving our player's strength and conditioning levels.

Dan San Francisco: Coach, Regarding Booker Butler and Xavier Cooper, will we see them in Pullman next year?

Paul Wulff: Dan, right now it looks like there is a good chance that both of those young men will be enrolling in January.

Ruth(Liberty Lake: Coach Wulff, give me one reason why you think the Cougs can beat UW this year.

Paul Wulff: Ruth, we plan on playing better on that Saturday than them.

Jason (Las Vegas): Beside Travis Long and Kevin Kooyman who do you see putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and getting some much needed sacks for our defense. Oh by the way....My color is crimson!!

Paul Wulff: Jason, glad to hear that! Yes, Brandon Rankin and Bernard Wolfgram should also be factors.

Mark (Seattle): After improving last year, do you expect to have a positive turnover margin this season?

Paul Wulff: Mark, yes. That is a very important statistic. Of all of the statistics out there, none have a more glaring attachment to the win column than a positive turnover margin.

Chris (SEattle): Coach---There has been speculation that you were cropped out of a photo of all the Pac 10 coaches in NY on the front page of ESPN's website, were you in that photo?

Paul Wulff: Chris, I've been asked that question before, and, yes, I was in the photo.

CJ (Mill Creek): Do you feel we will be competitive this year or do you feel we have a legitimate chance to compete for a bowl game?

Paul Wulff: CJ, I believe we will be very competitive. If we have some breaks, build some momentum, and stay healthy, postseason is a possibility.

Jake (Spokane): I'm excited to see what Tuel can do this year, but its tough for a PAC-10 QB to make it through the season unscathed. With that in mind, how is Marshall's health as our backup. I'm a big fan of yours. Thank you for fighting the good fight and please keep at it. The future looks bright!

Paul Wulff: Jake, thank you for your comments. We feel Marshall has enough experience and we have confidence in him to lead us, score points, and to win games.

Moderator: Okay, that's all the time we have. Paul, thank you for joining us once again.

Paul Wulff: Thank you for your questions. This truly is an exciting time to be part of Cougar Football, because the process of getting there and/or the journey is what makes this game so special. I look forward to seeing you at Martin Stadium this season. Go Cougs!