Bill Doba, Longtime Washington State Coach, Dies at 85

Bill Doba, the longtime defensive coordinator and head coach of Washington State University, has died at the age of 85, according to a statement from the university. Doba, who guided the Cougars through some of their most successful defensive campaigns and later led them as head coach, passed away on Friday. Born on September 7, 1940, in South Bend, Indiana, Doba played football at Ball State University as a halfback and defensive back before his playing career was cut short by a hip injury after two seasons. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Ball State in 1962 and earned a master's degree from Western Michigan in 1969. Doba began his coaching career at Goshen High School in Indiana in 1962, eventually becoming head coach at Angola and returning to Goshen. He later spent six seasons at Mishawaka High School, leading the team to the 1974 Indiana state championship game with a record of 46-15-1. Doba transitioned to college coaching in 1977 as an assistant under Lee Corso at Indiana University. He later coached at Purdue from 1983 to 1986 and served as defensive coordinator at The Citadel for two seasons. In 1989, Doba joined Washington State as a linebackers coach under head coach Mike Price. By 1991, he had become assistant head coach and was named defensive coordinator in 1994, a role he held until the 2002 season. During his tenure, the Cougars' defense became a cornerstone of the program's revival. The 1994 defense, dubbed the "Palouse Posse," ranked second nationally in total defense and contributed to the team finishing 8-4. Washington State claimed Pac-10 championships in 1997 and 2002 and advanced to the Rose Bowl twice during Doba's time as an assistant. In December 2002, Doba took over as head coach of Washington State, succeeding Price. His first season saw the Cougars go 10-3, finishing second in the Pac-10 and defeating No. 5 Texas 28-20 in the Holiday Bowl. The team was ranked No. 9 in both the Associated Press and coaches polls, and Doba shared Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors with USC’s Pete Carroll. Over five seasons as head coach, Doba compiled a record of 30-29 and secured victories in the Apple Cup against Washington in 2004, 2005, and 2007, making him the only coach in the Cougars' history to achieve a winning record in the rivalry. He concluded his coaching career after the 2007 season. Doba was honored with induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Mishawaka Hall of Fame in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Judy, whom he married earlier in life, and they have three children and six grandchildren. Judy Doba passed away from cancer in 2006. The university expressed deep sorrow over his passing, noting his impact on the Cougars and the broader community. A statement from WSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Haarlow described Doba as a "tremendous Coug and an incredible friend and mentor." The university extended its condolences to Doba’s loved ones and the entire Cougar family during this difficult time.