Central Washington fires football coach
It always raises eyebrows when a football coach is fired so close to the season’s start, especially someone with a 41-16 record.
Below is the story from the Associated Press:
ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — Blaine Bennett has been fired as the football coach at Division II Central Washington just days before the Wildcats begin fall camp.
The school announced the decision Friday. Long-time assistant John Picha has been appointed to be the Wildcats’ interim head coach.
Athletic director Dennis Francois said the school chose to move in another direction and that a national search for a permanent head coach would start after the season.
Bennett was hired in 2008 after John Zamberlin left to become head coach at Idaho State. Bennett was 41-16 in his five seasons as Central’s coach. No reason was given by the school for Bennett’s firing.
Picha joined the football staff as a graduate assistant in 1988 and played for the school in 1986 and 1987.
Micah Rice
Columbian Sports Editor Micah Rice is the author of Tailgate Talk: College football from a Clark County perspective.