While late November of 2021 may seem like decades ago for Jake Dickert, it was one of the most transformational moments in his coaching life and he can recall every moment. Then the interim head coach at Washington State, he led the Cougars into Seattle to face the Washington Huskies in the Apple Cup which the Cougs won 40-13. That next day, he would lose the interim tag and be formally introduced as the Head Coach at WSU.
Simply, his life would be changed forever.
This Saturday, the 116th Apple Cup returns to the gridiron, but nothing about this year's game mirrors its historic past. The Huskies are in the new-look Big Ten, the Cougs are holding it down in the Pac-12 and the game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, home of the Seattle Seahawks.
Yet some things do remain the same: the pageantry, the competitive spirit in this rivalry and the opportunity it poses for players to add to their story. Of course surrounding this game is conversation around realignment, media rights and a September rivalry game. For those who may be frustrated or lead with those topics in mind, we urge you to remember that this game is still – at its core – about the players, the fans, and the ball. After all, How Great Is Ball!?
With thanks to our founding partner in 76, Coach Dickert joins the Y-Option podcast to share his insights on his origin story around the Apple Cup, how 2021 changed his life, and how he is talking to his team in advance of this epic rivalry game.
Take a listen, and to all UW and WSU fans, be sure to get tickets, as I think this has a chance to be the game of the week in all of college football.
Plus we look ahead to the Week 3 slate across the country through the lens of the West Coast including the Ducks & Beavs battling in Corvallis, weekday night road games for Arizona & Arizona State and UCLA’s first ever Big Ten conference game.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
"Refuse to Lose" - Jake Dickert