Mike Leach: Washington State's New Coach Perfect for Pac-12

Mike Leach is finally, finally off the market.

As first reported by Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com, Leach is going to be the new head football coach of the Washington State Cougars, who recently cast off Paul Wulff. Leach's contract is for five years starting at $2.25 million per year.

Leach has been out of a job since 2009, when he was fired from Texas Tech after allegedly mistreating Adam James, son of former SMU star and current ESPN analyst Craig James. The incident has been the source of no shortage of controversy.

As a side note, it is all too appropriate that Feldman is the one breaking the news of Leach's hiring. He wrote a book about Leach that got him suspended by ESPN earlier this year. He ultimately split with the Worldwide Leader and is now working for CBS Sports.

At any rate, you'd be hard-pressed to argue that Leach is not a good hire for Washington State. The Cougars struggled mightily under Wulff, and Leach brings plenty of credibility and plenty of coaching know-how to the table. 

Specifically, the Washington State faithful can start looking forward to Leach's inevitable installation of the so-called "Air Raid Offense." The Air Raid Offense has worked wonders for Leach wherever he has gone, especially during his time at Texas Tech. Under his watch, the Red Raiders were routinely lighting up the scoreboard.

Lighting up the scoreboard is something you kind of have to do in this day and age in the Pac-12, especially in the Pac-12 North. Everyone knows what Oregon can do offensively, and Washington and Stanford can light up the scoreboard as well. Cal's offense has been inconsistent in recent seasons, but the Golden Bears are always stocked with playmakers.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, playmakers have been in short supply in recent seasons, which is part of the explanation for their ineptitude. Bringing a guy like Leach in should help recruitment pick up, as you can rest assured that there are plenty of youngsters out there who will be intrigued at the idea of playing under him.

If all goes according to plan, Washington State will have itself a formidable offense in no time. As it is, Leach is taking over an offense with a couple of talented youngsters in Connor Halliday and Marquess Wilson. Using the two of them as building blocks, it wouldn't be at all surprising if Leach has the Cougars playing competitive football as soon as 2012.

From there, the sky's the limit.

This is, of course, assuming Leach can avoid any guff from meddlesome dads.