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Updated Head Coach Candidates for Washington State (12/8)

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Dec 8, 2025 6:28 AM ET

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Washington State’s loss of head coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State, came as a surprise, but the Cougars quickly assembled a list of possible replacements. Here are five names to watch:

Brent Vigen – Montana State (Head Coach)

The skinny: Vigen is an interesting option who has earned an opportunity to be a head coach at the FBS level. After playing at North Dakota State, he coached with the Bison from 1998 to 2013. He then became the offensive coordinator at Wyoming for seven seasons before landing back at the FCS level as a head coach at Montana State. With the Bobcats, Vigen has turned them into an annual National Championship contender. He has gone 58-12 and made the Championship game twice.

This season he has the Bobcats at 11-2 and preparing for a quarterfinal home game on Saturday night against Stephen F. Austin. Vigen knows what it takes to win and is very well respected in the region.

Jonathan Smith – Former Michigan State/Oregon State Head Coach

The skinny: Smith’s two year run at Michigan State did not go as expected, but that does not mean that he wouldn’t be a good hire for the Cougars. Prior to finishing 9-15 with the Spartans, he helped rebuild Oregon State during his six seasons with the Beavers. This included going 25-13 over his last three seasons, which came before the PAC-12 Conference imploded.

And prior to Oregon State, Smith coached at Washington, Boise State, Montana and Idaho. In other, words, Smith is very comfortable in the Pacific Northwest.

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith watches a play against Michigan during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jesse Bobbit – Washington State (Defensive Coordinator)

The skinny: The South Dakota State alum didn’t begin his collegiate coaching career until 2019, so he has made an extremely quick rise up the ranks. After coaching safeties for one season at his alma mater, he became the defensive coordinator for the Jackrabbits for two seasons before making the move to Washington State.

Bobbit followed Jimmy Rogers to Pullman, where he became the defensive coordinator for the Cougars. Being named interim head coach says a great deal about how highly regarded he is inside the program, but overall, he is still an overall newbie at the profession. If Bobbit doesn’t get the job, he will likely end up at Iowa State with Rogers, where his name will continue to pop up for other opportunities in the coming years.

Tim Polasek – North Dakota State (Head Coach)

The skinny: After starting his coaching career at the DIII level, Polasek became a grad assistant at North Dakota State in 2006. He spent 10 of the next 11 seasons with the Bison, finishing up as the offensive coordinator from 2014 thru 2016. He then spent time at Iowa and Wyoming before returning to North Dakota State as the head coach in 2024.

In his first season in charge of the Bison, he led the program to a National Championship. However, after a 12-0 start this season, the Bison lost in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday to Illinois State. Even with the stunning loss, he has led North Dakota State to a 26-3 mark during his two seasons.

North Dakota State has seen several head coaches leave for FBS jobs in recent years, such as Chris Klieman (Kansas State), Craig Bohl (Wyoming) and Matt Entz (USC). If given the opportunity, there is a good chance that Polasek would be added to this list.

Jeff Banks – Texas (Assistant Head Coach)

The skinny: Banks is a Washington State alum, who punted for the Cougars in the late 1990’s. He began his coaching career in Pullman as a grad assistant before spending time at Idaho State and UTEP. Since the 2013 season he has been with Texas A&M, Alabama and now Texas. Currently he is the assistant head coach, tight ends coach and special teams coach with the Longhorns.

This would be Banks’ first full-time coaching opportunity, but he has worked under notable coaches like Nick Saban, Steve Sarkisian, Kevin Sumlin and Mike Price. Along the way, he has become one of the top special teams coaches in the country. However, he is in a very comfortable position right now, which includes a substantial salary with the Longhorns. If offered, Banks would have some interesting decisions to make.

Others to watch: Ra’Shaad Samples – Oregon (Assistant Head Coach), Tyson Helton – Western Kentucky (Head Coach), D’Anton Lynn – USC (Defensive Coordinator), Jason Eck – New Mexico (Head Coach)

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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