Broussard takes over as WSU’s RB coach

PULLMAN – The Cougars have hired former Washington State University standout and Portland State assistant Steve Broussard to coach their running backs.

On Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders hired away WSU’s Kelly Skipper and head coach Bill Doba offered Broussard the job that same day.

“I knew (Skipper) was going in for the interview and Doba had always stressed an interest that if Skip leaves, that I may have a chance to come there,” Broussard said Thursday afternoon. “I’m kind of in awe a little bit at how fast it went. At the same time, it’s a huge opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to taking advantage and bringing a little attitude. Not that they don’t have an attitude in the backfield, but I’ll bring some of my attitude which I played with and how I coach, relating to the guys and making it fun.”

Broussard, who was a first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1990 after his Cougars career, did not even formally interview with WSU. But a positive reference from former assistant and current Idaho head coach Robb Akey based on an interview there apparently helped Doba decide to make the move so quickly.

With Broussard on board, six of the nine assistant coaches are former Cougars players. Broussard will take over Skipper’s recruiting duties in Los Angeles as well.

Skipper and Akey were the only two coaches to leave the Cougars in this off-season, but their departures have triggered some shuffling of responsibilities. Head coach Bill Doba is taking over the defensive coordinator and linebacker coaching duties, moving former linebackers coach Leon Burtnett to safeties while secondary coach Ken Greene focuses on cornerbacks.

The loss of Skipper also means a change in the Cougars’ handling of special teams, which were also under his watch. Broussard said he was told by Doba that those responsibilities would be handled by the staff as a whole.

“I know that I’m going to be involved in coaching some positions in special teams, nothing specific,” he said. “What he stressed is that we’re going to do it throughout the staff and everybody’s going to help out.”