Washington State removes interim tag, names Dickert coach

Posted November 27, 2021 6:00 am

By TIM BOOTH

Washington State acting head coach Jake Dickert, center, holds up the Apple Cup Trophy after it was presented to him by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, left, after Washington State beat Washington 40-13 in an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

Washington State removed the interim tag and named Jake Dickert head coach Saturday night after he led the Cougars to a 3-2 record following the firing of Nick Rolovich.

Momentum had been growing for Dickert to get the job permanently and his candidacy was capped with an emphatic 40-13 rout of rival Washington in the Apple Cup that snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Huskies.

Dickert was promoted from defensive coordinator to be the interim head coach in October after Rolovich was fired for refusing to meet the state's mandate for employees to have received a COVID-19 vaccine or an exemption. Rolovich and four other assistant coaches were fired.

Dickert agreed to a five-year contract, the school announced.

"We are thrilled to have Jake Dickert step into the head coaching role,'ť Washington State President Kirk Schulz said. 'œCoach Dickert was able to bring together a team that has been through so much in the past two seasons and inspire them to not only keep going, but to fight harder. Coach Dickert loves Pullman, understands what it means to be a Coug, and most importantly, puts his players first. He is an asset to this program, and to WSU.'ť

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Washington State acting head coach Jake Dickert, right shakes hands with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, left, after Inslee presented him with the Apple Cup Trophy after Washington State beat Washington 40-13 in an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

Washington State coach Jake Dickert, center, is joined by athletic director Pat Chun, left, and WSU President Kirk Schultz after WSU defeated Washington 40-13 in an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

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