There’s something raw and revealing about sitting down with a first-year head coach in the middle of a season that refuses to sit still. Schedules shift, emotions swing, and every week feels like both a marathon and a sprint. That’s the space Jimmy Rogers is living in right now at Washington State, and it’s the backdrop for the latest conversation on Y-Option, fueled by our founding sponsor, 76® - keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

This week, the Cougs stand at 5–5 and pack their bags for a cross-country trip to face James Madison—a program that’s earned national attention and Cinderella CFP conversation. Washington State has been in the fight in nearly ever big road game this year, and the timing felt right to bring their new leader onto the show. And being an honorary Coug, it just had to happen!

What followed was a look behind the curtain at what it truly means to take over a program in this new era of college football and a man who truly understands the Role of a Coach.

Rogers stepped into Pullman facing a landscape that had been reshaped by change. A new staff. More than 75 newcomers. A handful of veterans who had lived through multiple coaching transitions. The question looming over all of it was simple but daunting: How do you take all those pieces and build a culture that can withstand the long haul?

That’s where this conversation lives.

I heard a man who’s absorbed every challenge—roster turnover, expectation resets, the pressure to win immediately—and continued to build forward. It was clear how he views leadership in a time when the portal never closes, when continuity is rare, and when the identity of a program has to be crafted at full speed. And you see why Washington State believed he was the one to steady the program, set its direction, and carry it into the next era in the re-imagined Pac-12.

Two games remain in year one: the trip to James Madison and a finale against Oregon State, a matchup steeped in the uniqueness of this final Pac-12 year. What comes next—bowl eligibility, momentum into recruiting, the foundation for year two—will unfold quickly. But after spending real time with Coach Rogers, it’s clear he’s planted something meaningful. A vision. A plan. A belief system.

Year one is rarely smooth, but you can hear the clarity in how he’s navigating every step.

For Cougs fans, this conversation paints a roadmap into the future.

For anyone curious about what it’s really like to take over a program in 2025, it’s a masterclass in vulnerability, leadership, and the grind of big-time football.

The Afterglow

I first connected with Coach Rogers after he took the job, at an event in the Pacific Northwest. Even in a crowded room it was obvious—this guy has presence. And presence matters when you’re tasked with reshaping a roster and reestablishing a program’s pulse.

Listening to him lay out the chaos and the clarity of year one reminded me how difficult this job is, especially now. But it also reminded me why certain coaches break through: they see the road ahead before anyone else does.

Two games remain. A bowl berth is within reach. And if everything breaks right, maybe the Cougs even end up in Los Angeles—selfishly, I’d love that. There’s something special about this version of Washington State, something that feels like it’s sharpening week by week.

No matter how the final stretch goes, year one under Jimmy Rogers has delivered something every program wants: direction.

And that’s why you hire him.

This weekend

I’ll be on the West Coast again this weekend, closing out your Saturday night on the call for Washington at UCLA from the Rose Bowl—potentially the final matchup of its kind in that historic venue. There’s a lot happening in college football right now. Jobs opening. Decisions looming. Seasons turning.

But before all that unfolds, spend some time with the Cougs.

And as always, if you want every interview, insight, and Y-Option story delivered straight to your inbox—multiple times a week, especially as the CFP run heats up—please subscribe to Y-Option as we value our community on so many levels.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe