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Washington State Football: Top 3 candidates to replace Nick Rolovich

By Payton Wilkerson

Oct 16, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich celebrates after a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 34-31. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich celebrates after a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 34-31. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Head coach Aaron Best (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Head coach Aaron Best (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Aaron Best, Eastern Washington head coach

If Washington State football is looking for an in-state candidate to take their head coaching job, Aaron Best might be their best option.

Best is a native of Tacoma, Washington, and has been the head coach of Eastern Washington football since being promoted to it in 2017 after a stint as offensive coordinator. Aside from one season as the offensive line coach for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, he has spent his entire coaching career with the Eagles.

This year, the Eagles are 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the FCS Top 25 polls. They have the most explosive offense in the FCS, averaging 54 points per game and 626 yards of offense. Their quarterback Eric Barriere leads the nation with 3,052 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.

He has a career record of 38-14. His best season came in 2018, in which the Eagles went 12-3 and played in the FCS National Championship Game.

A few notable players that Best has coached in his career include Los Angeles Rams’ top receiver Cooper Kupp and Montreal Alouettes Oregon transfer quarterback Vernon Adams. He has also had other players drafted into the NFL as well.

An offensive guru, Best would no doubt help the Cougars get back to their Air Raid-like offense roots made famous by former coach Mike Leach, and Wazzu could become a threat in the Pac-12.

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