It's a 285-mile drive down Highway 26 from Pullman to Seattle, and a world of difference.
In Seattle, they're preparing for life in the Big Ten: bracing for road trips to College Park and Piscataway, while also cherishing upcoming games with Michigan and Ohio State, plus West Coast foes like Oregon and USC, all while preparing for the riches to come as a member of college sports' wealthiest conference.
In Pullman, they're fighting for survival, piecing together a hybrid schedule while stuck in the chasm between the Power 4 and the Group of 5.
As such, it was probably an easy decision when Washington offered Pat Chun, Washington State's athletics director, the same job with the Cougars' hated rival. ESPN's Pete Thamel reports Tuesday that U-Dub is working on a 6-year deal to hire Wazzu's top athletics executive.
Sources: The University of Washington is finalizing a six-year deal to hire Pat Chun, the athletic director at rival Washington State, as the school’s new athletic director. He’s been the AD at Washington State since 2018 and also worked as FAU’s athletic director. pic.twitter.com/FuqYt5fXVd
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 26, 2024
The move comes after Troy Dannen took the AD job at Nebraska. Dannen filled the vacancy created by Trev Alberts leaving for Texas A&M, who filled the opening created when Ross Bjork replaced the retiring Gene Smith.
It's the second straight time Washington has filled a top position by hiring away a former Pac-12 bunk mate. The Huskies pulled Jedd Fisch away from Arizona after three seasons there.
The silver (and crimson) lining to this darker-than-usual Pacific Northwest rain cloud is that Washington State won't have to wait long before they can confront Chun and shove it down the Huskies' throats, at least in theory. The Cougars and the Huskies meet at the Seahawks' Lumen Field on Sept. 14.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.