David Shaw, Mike Leach named Pac-12 Co-Coaches of the Year

Published Dec. 1, 2015 9:39 p.m. ET

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Stanford head coach David Shaw and WSU head coach Mike Leach have been named the Pac-12's co-coaches of the year.

For Shaw, it is the third time he has been honored as the conference's top coach (2011, 2012). Shaw's Cardinal team has gone 10-2 this season (8-1 in Pac-12 play) and is ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

After losing its first game of the season to Northwestern, Shaw guided the Cardinal to a nearly flawless 11-game stretch that saw the team beat the likes of USC and Notre Dame.

Shaw will be coaching for his third Pac-12 title in five years on Saturday in the Pac-12 Championship game against USC. Should the Cardinal win, Shaw would also clinch his fourth 11-win season in five years as Stanford's head coach.

While Washington State’s season didn’t end as Mike Leach had hoped, the Cougars' campaign has been nothing short of remarkable.

After a season-opening loss to Portland State at home, there were strong indications that this may be Leach’s final season in Pullman. However, Leach directed his Cougars to an 8-4 overall record, including a 6-3 record in Pac-12 play.

Most impressively, Leach led Washington State to road upsets over Oregon and UCLA and pushed a great Stanford team to its limits.

Leach’s offense was fantastic and ended the regular season as the top-rated passing offense in the nation. Sophomore QB Luke Falk led the nation in passing yards per game with 387.8 and threw 36 touchdowns.

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