{
  "id": 4100569,
  "title": "Bill Doba, Longtime Washington State Coach, Dies at 85",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/bill-doba-longtime-washington-state-coach-dies-at-85",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T03:39:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/bill-doba-longtime-washington-state-coach-dies-at-85-12383178"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bill Doba, a distinguished defensive coordinator and head coach for the Washington State Cougars, passed away at the age of 85, as confirmed by the university on Friday. The WSU Vice President and Director of Athletics, Jon Haarlow, expressed heartfelt condolences, stating that Doba was a cherished Coug and an invaluable mentor. Doba, a native of South Bend, Indiana, was born on September 7, 1940. He had a brief playing career at Ball State, where he was a halfback and defensive back before a hip injury curtailed his playing days after just two seasons. Doba pursued further education, obtaining a bachelor's degree from Ball State in 1962 and a master's degree from Western Michigan in 1969. His coaching journey began in 1962 at Goshen High School in Indiana, where he later became head coach. He then held various positions at Angola, Goshen, and Mishawaka High School, amassing a record of 46-15-1 and leading his team to the 1974 Indiana state championship game. Doba's collegiate coaching career commenced in 1977 as an assistant for Lee Corso at Indiana University. He then transitioned to Purdue from 1983-86 and served as defensive coordinator at The Citadel for two seasons. In 1989, Doba joined Washington State as a linebackers coach under Mike Price. He ascended to assistant head coach in 1991 and defensive coordinator in 1994, maintaining both roles until 2002. During his tenure, the Cougars' defense played a pivotal role in their resurgence, as the 1994 defense, dubbed the Palouse Posse, ranked second nationally in total defense and contributed to the Cougars' 8-4 season. Washington State won Pac-10 championships in 1997 and 2002 and secured two Rose Bowl appearances under Doba's guidance. Doba succeeded Price as the head coach in December 2002, leading the team to a 10-3 record in his first season, second-place standings in the Pac-10, and victories over No. 5 Texas 28-20 in the Holiday Bowl. The Cougars also finished 9th in the AP and coaches polls, with Doba sharing the Pac-10 Coach of the Year award with USC's Pete Carroll. Over five seasons as head coach, Doba compiled a 30-29 record, including winning the Apple Cup games in 2004, 2005, and 2007, the only coach in Cougars' history to achieve a winning record in the rivalry series against Washington. Doba retired following the 2007 season. He was honored with induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Mishawaka Hall of Fame in 1986. Doba is survived by his wife, Judy, and their three children and six grandchildren. Judy Doba succumbed to cancer in 2006.",
  "summary": "A college football coach who left his greatest mark at Washington State died at 85.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}