PULLMAN, Wash. (Jan. 10, 2025) – Washington State University Head Football Coach Jimmy Rogers, who was introduced at a press conference in Pullman Jan. 9, announced Friday additions to his first staff as head coach.
 
Rogers announced nine of his 10 full-time assistant coaches as well as a number of coaching and support staff positions.
 
"I love the staff we have put together and can't wait to get started," said Rogers. "This is a tremendous collection of coaches who will immerse themselves into the lives of our players and do whatever it takes to maximize their potential, on and off the field. Working with many of these coaches previously, I know the commitment they have to their profession and feel we could not have put together a better staff to positively impact the current and future players in our program."
 
On the defensive side of the ball, the 2025 Cougar coaching staff includes Jesse Bobbit (defensive coordinator/linebackers), Michael Banks (cornerbacks), Pete Menage (safeties) and Payton Shafer (defensive graduate assistant).
 
Offensively, the staff includes Danny Freund (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Taylor Lucas (offensive line), Robbie Rouse (running backs), Chris Meyers (tight ends), Jake Menage (wide receivers), Kyle Saddler (offensive graduate assistant) and Owen Baebler (offensive graduate assistant).
 
The special teams unit includes Pat Cashmore (special teams coordinator/assistant tight ends), Ron Pavlik (assistant special teams) and Justin Mesa (assistant quarterbacks/special teams).
 
Additional staff announcements include Jon Shaeffer (chief of staff), Taylor Long (director of football operations), Kingston Fernandez (assistant director of football operations), Kristofer Kracht (director of football mental performance) and Andrew Lucas (scout).
 
Two members of the strength and conditioning staff were also announced, including Matt Jacobs (head strength and conditioning coach) and Marcus Banks (assistant strength and conditioning coach).
 
Below are brief overviews for nine of the 10 full-time position coaches:
 
Jesse Bobbit – Defensive coordinator/linebackers: Spent four years coaching at South Dakota State, last two (2023-2024) as defensive coordinator…part of two FCS Championship teams at SDSU and spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons coaching at Washington State…played for and coached under Jimmy Rogers.
 
Michael Banks – Cornerbacks: Coached two seasons on Rogers staff at South Dakota State and five years at his alma mater, Illinois State…at SDSU, guided a unit that contributed to Jackrabbit defense leading the nation in defensive scoring both years.
 
Pete Menage – Safeties: Worked on Rogers staff at SDSU the past two seasons…also coached at Winona State and Northern Illinois…played safety at SDSU…cousin, Jake, also coaches on the Washington State staff.
 
Pat Cashmore – Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Tight Ends: Spent the previous two seasons on Rogers staff at South Dakota State…also has coached at Pittsburg State, Toledo, Oklahoma State, Midland Univ. and Iowa Western CC.
 
Danny Freund – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Spent the 2024 season on Rogers staff at SDSU as co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach…oversaw an offense in 2024 that featured five All-Americans…spent prior 12 seasons at his alma mater, North Dakota, where he was part of five FCS playoff appearances.
 
Taylor Lucas – Offensive Line: Spent 2024 season as assistant offensive line coach under Rogers at SDSU, where he mentored a pair of All-Americans in center Gus Miller and guard Evan Beerntsen…also coached at Wyoming, Carroll University, Sant Anselm College, and two stints at his alma mater, Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
 
Robbie Rouse – Running Backs: Spent the previous two seasons on Rogers staff at South Dakota State…in 2023, mentored consensus All-American Isaiah Davis, who led FCS in rushing yards, touchdown and total touchdowns…also coached at Cal Poly, College of St. Scholastica, Augustana (S.D.) and North Dakota.
 
Chris Meyers – Tight Ends: spent the past three seasons at SDSU prior to arriving in Pullman…at SDSU mentored All-Americans Tucker Kraft and Zach Heins…also coached at Oklahoma State and Stephen F. Austin…began coaching career as student assistant at TCU.
 
Jake Menage – Wide Receivers: Spent the previous two seasons on Rogers staff at South Dakota State…also played at SDSU…also coached at Northwestern College, Northern Illinois and Southwest Minnesota State…cousin, Pete, also coaches on the Washington State staff.