The death of Bill Doba at age 85 landed hard across Cougar Nation, and the reaction from the people who knew him best says everything about the kind of coach he was.
Former Washington State players, colleagues and media members didn’t just remember a winning coach. They kept coming back to the same themes: kindness, honesty, toughness, family, and a steady presence that stuck with them long after their playing days ended. Doba’s 19 years at WSU, split between assistant and head coach duties, clearly left a deep mark.
Shawn McWashington, one of the Fab Five Rose Bowl receivers, said Doba’s impact went far beyond football.
"I loved Bill. He brought me to Pullman and we had fun times but he also yelled at me when I needed it too," Shawn McWashington, a Fab Five Rose Bowl receiver tells Cougfan.com.
"He was a father figure to us. There was football, yes, but I more remember the role model he was, as a husband and father.
What a good man. It's sad he's no longer here, but he finally gets to see Judy again.
I hope his energy is with Judy. That was the first thing I thought of Friday when our text thread (of former teammates) started."
Mkristo Bruce, who came to WSU as a slender former quarterback/defensive back and later became an All-American defensive end, said the relationship never really faded. He would call Doba over the years just to check in, and the conversation would always feel familiar. The same thing happened at Cougar events, even when years had passed.
"Those moments are so memorable right now. He was a special guy, someone you looked up to for counsel," Bruce said.
"When you're in college and playing football, the coaches are your parents. The wins, the losses, the milestones, Coach Doba embraced us every step ...
On defense we had a blue collar, bring-your-lunch-box-to-work group of guys. That was no coincidence.
That was Coach Doba. He was great at finding and cultivating guys like that and bringing out the best in you.
That's what WSU needs to do more of."
Bruce also pointed to Doba’s devotion to his family.
"His love for his family is something that really stands out, his kids and grandkids. And the way he talked about Judy was just heartwarming. They were one of those great love stories."
Social media quickly filled with similar memories from former Cougars.
Steve Gleason wrote that Doba was one of the three most influential coaches in his football career and said the lessons went far beyond the field. Gleason recalled Doba asking the names of servers, drivers, grocery store clerks and anyone helping the players, a habit Gleason said stayed with him through his NFL career and his life.
He called Doba "Ted Lasso before Ted Lasso" and ended with: "Bill Doba. What a beautiful man.
What a beautiful life."
Erik Coleman said Doba was "a true Cougar legend" and credited him with shaping him "not just as a football player, but as a man." Coleman added that Doba told the truth, demanded accountability, toughness and character, and left an impact that went well beyond wins and losses.
Ryan Leaf kept it short: "Love you and will miss you COACH."
John Scukanec remembered being treated with respect early in his WSU career, when he was on the scout team and, as he put it, some of the defensive coaches “were jerks and couldn't care less about us.” Doba, he said, was different.
"Ah man…RIP Coach. Truly a good man.
When I was a scout team guy early in my WSU career, a lot of the defensive coaches were jerks and couldn't care less about us. Not Doba.
Always kind and treated me with respect. An honor to play for you, Coach.
Go Cougs."
Media members who worked around Doba also echoed the same message. John Witter called him "a gem in every way" and said Doba and Mike Price were generous with their time when Cougfan.com was getting started in 1998.
Cale Ramaker called the news "What a gut punch" and remembered time spent talking with Doba for a story a few years ago. Ian Furness described him as "a class act" and said he bled crimson and gray even after he got "kicked to the curb."
Vince Grippi said he would remember Doba as "a good man" and noted that he cared about his players because he was a father of three himself, treating the young men he mentored the same way. Chris Egan called him "A true gentleman of the game."
Derek Deis said Doba was "a wonderful man" and "a true Coug," while Tom Hutyler said he loved him and that Doba was good to both him and his son during his time as head coach of the Cougs.
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