Monday, February 15, 2010

There's a Moos in the Palouse

This will go down as the bench mark for Elson Floyd's tenure at Washington State University. It's a matter of time for the WSU president to name Bill Moos as the new athletic director, or something similar for the time being. The former Oregon AD has a non-compete clause in his contract not allowing him to take a job at any other BCS school. He would give up close to 1.9 million dollars if he does. Obviously WSU officials are confident they can put ink to this deal. President Floyd sent out an inter-office letter today indicating he invited Moos to campus Wednesday to meet with athletic officials and participate in a public forum. It's all but a done deal. And what a deal it will be for WSU boosters and fans, especially with the renovation project for Martin Stadium. Moos was instrumental in building the University of Oregon athletics department to what it is today. He changed the landscape of Oregon athletics, and as far back as 2003 he facilitated more than $160 million in improvements, which includes 12,000 new seats, 32 new suites, a new club at Autzen Stadium, and a new press box. There is no better fit for the Cougar Nation. Moos began his athletics career in 1982 as assistant athletics director at Washington State University. He was also associate athletic director from 1988-90. Moos was also an all Pac 8 lineman in 1972.

Bill Moos was raised on a wheat and cattle ranch in Eastern Washington. He knows the landscape, much like former Cougar AD Jim Sterk, who resigned to take the athletic director position at San Diego State. According to sources, Floyd and Sterk were never on the same page. Well, that page has been turned now.

I can hear it now, "there's a Moos in the Palouse".