The 5 Best Washington State Players of the Mike Leach Era

Coach Leach's time at Wazzou was one to remember for not only his antics but for the guys he had.

Oct 20, 2018; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) celebrates after a football game against the Oregon Ducks at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 34-20. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The sport of college football has never seen a personality quite like that of the late Mike Leach. From off-the-rails press conference rants to gut-busting hilarious sideline interviews and opinions on the most mundane of things like candy corn and mascots, Leach was truly one of one. His eight years leading Washington State, coincidentally, were nearly as memorable as he was and not just for the off-script moments. Leach also had some pretty darn good teams in Pullman from 2012 to 2019 and some insanely talented players under his tutelage. Of those players, a few stand out above the rest.

5. Vince Mayle

Wide receiver Vince Mayle came to Washington State from the JUCO ranks before the 2013 season and he may go down as the biggest transfer acquisition Leach and his staff ever made. Mayle played his final two seasons for the Cougars and absolutely lit up the stat sheet in his last year, hauling in 106 passes for a staggering 1,483 yards over the course of 12 games, setting multiple program records. Mayle was practically unstoppable on the outside in 2014 and his on-field performance that season rightly earned him several accolades. As a team WSU struggled in those two seasons but Mayle was a much-needed shot in the arm all on his own. To date the school has not had a better single-season showing out of a pass-catcher.

4. Xavier Cooper

Xavier Cooper came to Pullman the same year Leach did and was there for three incredible seasons. The star defensive lineman was a terror for opposing offenses in the Pac-12, piling up 32.5 career tackles for loss, 122 stops, 13 sacks and four forced fumbles. Cooper could puncture an offensive line as well as anyone and double teaming him was often a moot effort. His strength was usually unmatched by blockers he attacked. Cooper, like many of his teammates during those days, ended up on an NFL roster when the Browns took him in the third round of the draft following his junior season. He was surely the best defensive lineman Leach ever coached at Washington State.

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3. Deone Bucannon

Safety Deone Bucannon may have only played for Leach for two years (2012-13) but his importance to WSU's defense in those days cannot be overstated. Bucannon was as much a tackling machine as he was a ball-hawker, authoring 363 career tackles and 15 interceptions in his four seasons at Washington State. He was a senior when Leach guided the Cougars to their first bowl appearance since 2003, reaching the New Mexico Bowl where they ultimately fell to Colorado State in a thriller. Bucannon ended up as a first-round draft pick with the Arizona Cardinals after his decorated collegiate run.

2. Andre Dillard

One of the biggest stalwarts of Washington State's offensive line in the last decade was Andre Dillard. Serving as a stonewalling left tackle from 2015 to 2018, Dillard was instrumental in the team's success during that time. He started 39 games for the Cougars and was a multiple All-Conference selection before eventually being drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by Philadelphia. Dillard was around during the heart of Leach's reign in Pullman and was part of a four-year stretch in which the team reached a bowl game each season. It's not the sexiest position out there and Dillard was often the epitome of an unsung hero during that era.

1. Gardner Minshew

There never has been nor ever will be a player to come through WSU's program quite like former quarterback Gardner Minshew. Not only was the current Las Vegas Raiders signal-caller a star talent for the Cougars in 2018, but his personality was second to none... not even Leach himself. Minshew's lone year in Pullman after transferring in from East Carolina was one for the books as he threw for 4,779 yards and 38 touchdowns. He led the Cougs to an 11-2 overall record (the best of any season in school history) and an Alamo Bowl win over Iowa State. Minshew slung it around the field like no other that season and etched himself into Washington State history. When folks think of Leach's tenure and the many great players he coached up, #16 has to be at the top of that list.