How Do Washington State's Football, Basketball Programs Stack Up in New Pac-12?
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Washington State Cougars head football coach Kirby Moore speaks during a basketball game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images [/caption]
Washington State enters the rebuilt Pac-12 as one of the conference's two cornerstone programs. Alongside Oregon State, the Cougars helped keep the Pac-12 alive through one of the most turbulent periods in college athletics before leading the conference's rebuild.
Now, with the league officially returning in 2026, Washington State once again finds itself at the center of Pac-12 football and basketball.
For the conference's new members, Washington State represents one of the league's most recognizable brands. The Cougars spent more than a century competing at the Power Conference level and have built a reputation as a tough, competitive program that consistently punches above its weight. While Pullman may be one of the smallest college towns in the country, it has produced some of the Pac-12's most memorable moments and one of the most passionate fan bases in college sports.
Football
Washington State has quietly been one of the West's most consistent football programs over the last decade. Despite numerous coaching changes, conference realignment, and the uncertainty surrounding the Pac-12 with the exodus of schools such as Washington and Oregon, the Cougars have continued to compete at a high level and regularly earn bowl berths.
Since 2015, Washington State has reached a bowl game in every full season except one, proving the program has remained competitive through constant change. Now, the Cougars enter another new era under Washington native Kirby Moore, who becomes the program's third head coach in three seasons. Moore inherits a program with a strong foundation and will look to build on the winning culture that has kept Washington State relevant despite college football's rapidly changing landscape.
Men's Basketball
Washington State basketball has experienced far less success historically than the football team, but the program showed what it's capable of under former head coach Kyle Smith. In the 2023-24 season, Smith guided the Cougars to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years before departing for Stanford.
With the collapse of the Pac-12, Washington State spent last season in the WCC, where the Cougars struggled to a 12-20 record. Now, they return to a rebuilt Pac-12 with a fresh opportunity to reset the program.
That won't be easy, however. The addition of Gonzaga, San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and several other quality programs gives the new Pac-12 a chance to become one of the nation's deepest basketball conferences. If Washington State hopes to compete near the top of the league, the Cougars will need to take a significant step forward.
Looking Ahead
As the Pac-12 begins its next chapter, Washington State isn't just another member - it's one of the schools responsible for keeping the conference alive. Along with Oregon State, the Cougars carried the Pac-12 through its most uncertain period and helped lay the foundation for its return.
Now, as new rivalries begin and a new era of Pac-12 athletics takes shape, Washington State will continue to play a central role. The Cougars bring tradition, passionate fans, and a history of resilience, making them one of the defining programs of the conference's next chapter. But to maintain that title, they will now have to prove they can consistently win, especially in the two marquee sports.
