Is OC Yost coming to Washington State?

DAVID YOST, who has overseen some of the nation’s top offenses as offensive coordinator at Missouri, may be headed to Washington State.

An unidentified source told The Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune “there’s a high probability” Yost will join the Cougars’ coaching staff after interviewing with WSU coach Mike Leach recently in Key West, Fla. Leach maintains a home in Key West.

The source told the Tribune, “David is really excited to learn from one of the originators of the spread offense (Leach).”

That comment is particularly interesting in that it comes on the heels of a remark made Sunday by WSU running backs coach Jim Mastro. The latter, who helped develop the pistol offense when he was running backs coach at Nevada, said his friendship with Leach was a primary reason why he decided to remain at WSU instead of pursuing the head coaching job at Nevada.

“I like where I’m at,” Mastro said. “I’m learning. I already know the best running game in the country (from Nevada), now I’m learning the best passing game in the country.

“Seven or eight years down the line we’ll see (about becoming a head coach), but right now I’m as happy as I’ve ever been in my career, working with Mike.”

Mastro said the autonomy Leach provides his assistants makes working for him a pleasure.

“No question,” Mastro said. “That’s the greatest thing about him: ‘Just do your job. Here’s your job. Do your job.’”

In addition to serving as offensive coordinator at Missouri, Yost was the assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach and place-kickers coach. Leach serves as his own quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

Yost, citing personal reasons, resigned last month after 12 years at Missouri. Injuries contributed to Missouri’s offense averaging less than 400 yards per game for the first time since 2004.

“I feel like I’ve had a great run here and that it’s just the right time to turn it over to someone else,” Yost said in a statement when he resigned.

Yost has worked under Gary Pinkel for 15 years (including three at Toledo). Pinkel and Missouri wide receiver T.J. Moe said the Tigers wanted Yost to remain in Columbia, but the Tribune said several sources indicated that Yost had tired of the heavy workload required to handle his many duties.

An offensive assistant coach position opened at Washington State when inside receivers coach Eric Morris resigned recently to coach under a close friend, new Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury.