Washington State University Head Football Coach Paul Wulff completed his coaching staff Monday by naming Harold Etheridge as the Cougars' offensive line coach.
Etheridge, a 19-year veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks, most recently served as the offensive line coach at Northern Illinois during the 2007 season. There he coached tackle John Brost, an All-Mid American Conference and MAC All-Academic selection.
"Harold brings a tremendous amount of experience and has previously worked with some of our coaches on staff," said Wulff. "He comes highly recommended as a football coach, teacher and recruiter. Harold brings a great deal to our staff and will fit in very nicely."
With the hiring of Etheridge, Wulff filled out his coaching staff and announced duties for each. On the offensive side of the ball Todd Sturdy will serve as offensive coordinator and work with quarterbacks; Steve Broussard will be the running backs coach; Mike Levenseller will serve as wide receivers coach; and Rich Rasmussen will serve the duel role of tights ends coach/recruiting coordinator. On the defensive side, Jody Sears will be co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach; Chris Ball will be assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach; Travis Niekamp will coach linebackers and Malik Roberson will coach the defensive line.
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Prior to Northern Illinois, Etheridge spent three seasons as the offensive line coach at the University of North Texas. During his first season the Mean Green led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 23rd nationally in rushing offense at 196.3 ypg, paced by nation's leader Jamario Thomas at 180.1 ypg. In 2005 Thomas again rushed for 1,000 yards while the offensive line ranked among the league leaders in fewest sacks allowed. North Texas linemen earned five All-Conference honors in his three seasons at the school.
Etheridge is no stranger to members of the Cougar staff, having served alongside current Cougar assistants Sears and Niekamp while all three were on Todd Berry's staff at Army. Etheridge spent four seasons as the Black Knight's offensive line coach (2000-03), where in 2001 and 2002 Army led Conference USA in fewest sacks allowed. In 2000, the offensive line paced the way for Michael Wallace, whose 115.7 ypg were tops in Conference USA and 16th nationally.