Doba feeling for Gilbertson

PULLMAN — Reacting to the agreed-upon resignation of Washington head football coach Keith Gilbertson Monday, Washington State’s Bill Doba said he felt sorry for both the departing head coach and his staff.

“They’re good men and they’re good coaches and I’m sorry that it didn’t work out for him,” Doba said. “When I was over there recruiting as an assistant, he’d say, ‘Hey, if you get done early, come on over to the house and we’ll have dinner.’ I just never was able to take him up on that. But I tell you, he’s a good football coach.”

Gilbertson appeared worn down and spoke of his disappointment Monday when the announcement was made at a news conference with Huskies athletic director Todd Turner.

Gilbertson led Washington to a 6-6 record in 2003 after taking over for Rick Neuheisel, but the team is 1-7 this season with an 0-5 Pac-10 mark.

“It happens so they don’t lose a recruiting class and so they can get on and contact other coaches for as quick a transition as possible,” said Doba, who was part of a Purdue staff in 1986 that was fired midseason but finished out the year.

“It’s tough, but our kids battled like crazy for us. We won the last one at Indiana, and they were going to a bowl game.”

With that memory in mind, Doba said the dismissal of Gilbertson and his staff could have a strong effect on the remaining schedule, in particular the Apple Cup, which will be played on Nov. 20 in Pullman.

What kind of effect, though, remains in question, especially with the talent deficit and long injury list currently plaguing the Huskies program.

“You never know. It could go either way,” Doba said. “I’m sure they won’t give up. … ‘Get one for Gilby; get one for the Gipper.’ “