Washington State hires Mike Leach as coach

Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is the new head coach at Washington State.

The school said Wednesday that Leach had agreed in principle to a five-year contract. He will be introduced Tuesday at a news conference in Pullman, Wash.

Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

Leach, 50, posted an 84-43 record at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to 10 bowl appearances in 10 seasons. He was fired in 2009 amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion.

He replaces Paul Wulff, who was fired after four losing seasons.

“I have always admired the tradition of Washington State,� Leach said in a statement. “It’s a university on the move that is experiencing growth. I’m excited about what they are doing with the facilities and it’s a team that has battled through some hard times and shows great promise in the future.�

Leach was hired by Athletic Director Bill Moos.

“I have spoken about the need to re-energize our fan base and take Cougar football to the next level,� Moos said in a statement. “I believe the hiring of Mike Leach accomplishes both of those goals.�

Wulff was fired after posting a 9-40 record in four years during which he was charged with rebuilding a downtrodden program. The Cougars finished 4-8 this season, the best record of his tenure.

Bradley to coach bowl game

Tom Bradley will coach Penn State through the Nittany Lions’ bowl game, and will receive an interview for the full-time position, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Bradley, 55, was promoted from defensive coordinator to interim coach Nov. 9 after Joe Paterno was fired amid a child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

Miami receiver says he made mistake

Former Miami wide receiver Aldarius Johnson says the NCAA told the Hurricanes it would not restore his eligibility for what would have been his final season.

Johnson told Miami sports-talk radio station 790 the Ticket that the NCAA determined his story “wasn’t adding up� during an investigation into the actions of a former booster who claims to have provided extra benefits to 72 Hurricanes and recruits from 2002 through 2010.

Johnson acknowledged making “a bonehead mistake� by dealing with the booster, and also for some Twitter messages that got him into further trouble with Coach Al Golden this season. Johnson was suspended for a violation of team rules and never played in 2011.

Luck leads finalists

Quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford, Robert Griffin III of Baylor and Case Keenum of Houston are among the five finalists for the Walter Camp Foundation player of the year award. The other finalists are Alabama running back Trent Richardson and Louisiana State cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.