Word is breaking this evening that Mike Leach's defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys is stepping down. FootballScoop has confirmed the news.
Linebackers coach Roc Bellantoni and corners coach Darcel McBath will take over Claeys' duties with Bellantoni serving as interim defensive coordinator.
Claeys, the former defensive coordinator and then head coach at Minnesota had a fairly successful first season in Pullman in 2018; but this year the Cougars defense has given up far too many points, most notably in the stunning loss to UCLA. In fact, Claeys was given an extension this past offseason.
In the last two weeks Washington State has lost to UCLA 63-67 and to Utah 13-38.
Wazzu is off this weekend. They travel to Tempe to take on Arizona State on Saturday October 12th.
Bellantoni has previously served as defensive coordinator at FAU (most recently) and at Eastern Illinois. He joined Leach's staff this past offseason after having spent the past two seasons at the University of Buffalo.
Some of the initial reports...
Update> The University has now confirmed the news.