Bill Doba thought his never would.

The career assistant, the last 14 with the Cougars, was content being just that. But as the players on the 2002 Cougars were living their dream of going to the Rose Bowl, Doba found out one of his had come true as well.

In a whirlwind eight hours on a December day, Mike Price was whisked off to Alabama and Doba was ushered in as the 30th head coach at Washington State. ‘‘I'm thrilled to be WSU's head coach,'' Doba said that day.

Now, some eight months later, Doba is in charge of providing some thrills for Cougars fans who have grown accustomed to winning the past two seasons. And in fitting Doba style those thrills could come on the defensive side of the ball.

Sure, the Cougars lost cornerback Marcus Trufant, the 11th pick in the NFL draft, and Outland Trophy-winning tackle Rien Long, but they gained depth and experience on what was the third-best defense in the Pac10 last season.

‘‘Potentially the experience may make (this defense) better,'' said defensive coordinator Robb Akey. ‘‘We think Karl Paymah is playing well enough so that with he and Jason David it will be just like we had last year with JD and Marcus Trufant.

‘‘And because of the experience in the front, even though we lost Rien and (defensive end) Fred Shavies, we have full-time guys coming back in those positions,'' he continued. ‘‘Really, we have 10 of the positions as guys coming back who have 20 games in the past two years.''

Senior Tai Tupai, junior Steve Cook and senior Josh Shavies will all be called on to fill the void left by Long. Tupai could be the key. As a sophomore he started every game. But last season an injury caused his weight to balloon and he became ineffective. This off-season Tupai has trimmed down to 320, and that is what the coaches like to call ‘‘good'' weight. Translation: not fat.

The secondary, with 12 interceptions last season, has the potential to be more opportunistic as well. Paymah doesn't have the quickness of Trufant yet, but David, who had seven picks in 10 games, has had a strong camp. Safety Erik Coleman won't have to run-support as much with stronger linebackers in front of him, and that, too, could create more turnovers for opponents.

At linebacker, WSU is set on two of three. Will Derting and Al Genatone are the starters on the outside. Any one of four players -- Don Jackson, Aaron Wagner, Brian Hall and Scott Davis -- could get the nod for the middle position.

On offense, the look will change slightly from years past. Kegel will run a controlled passing game that utilizes every weapon -- even the tight ends.

The Cougars should also be able to go to the ground more successfully. Not only does Washington State finally have depth at the running back position, but the all-important offensive line is as strong and deep as it has been in years.

At running back, three players will get most of the attention: Jermaine Green, Jonathan Smith and Chris Bruhn. Green has had a history of muscle pulls and saw limited action in camp as a precautionary measure. In his absence, Smith established himself as a threat.

‘‘He's a strong runner who is small enough to make you miss,'' said defensive end Mkristo Bruce. Smith, despite being the smallest of the three at 5-10, is the best short-yardage and goal-line runner the Cougars have. Bruhn is the commodity everyone is waiting to see. The junior-college transfer is highly touted and at 6-3, 215, physically imposing. But it could take two or three games for him to settle into life in Division I.

At wide receiver, the Cougars have been able to develop some depth. Devard Darling is back as the only returning starter. But Scott Lunde and Sammy Moore, both significant contributors last season, return.

Sophomore Trandon Harvey and three freshmen -- Chris Jordan, Robert Franklin and Jason Hill -- make this receiving corps deeper than the one that accounted for more than 3,200 yards last season.

As for Kegel, Doba has little doubt the senior who has watched for four years is ready to get the job done.

‘‘It's tough to replace a legend like Jason Gesser, but we're very confident in Matt Kegel,'' the coach said. ‘‘He has become the leader of this team.''

On the sidelines

Assistants: Mike Levenseller, offensive coordinator/wide receivers; Kelly Skipper, running backs/special teams; George Yarno, offensive line; Timm Rosenbach, quarterbacks; Robin Pflugrad, tight ends/recruiting coordinator; Robb Akey, defensive coordinator; Leon Burtnett, linebackers; Mike Walker, defensive line; Ken Greene, defensive backs.

In the stands

Stadium: Martin Stadium (37,600).

How to get there: From Spokane take 195 south to Pullman. Take the Pullman exit and proceed down Davis Way. Make a left onto Grand. Follow Grand to Stadium Ave. Turn right on Stadium. Martin Stadium will be on the right roughly one mile up the hill.

Season tickets: General public plans are $135 for five games. Priority season ticket prices vary. Season tickets to not include Seattle game.

Family plan: Season for five home games: Two adults, two children or one adult, three children, $259.

Single game: Reserved tickets for games in Pullman are $27. End zone reserved seating is $15 for an adult, $8 for a child or senior citizen. A single-game end zone family pack is $40.

Group rates: Range from $22 per person for reserve seating to $5 for end zone reserve seating.

Info: 1-800-462-6847 and go to option three.

On the air

Bob Robertson is back for his 37th year as the voice of the Cougars, and again will be joined in the booth by former WSU coach Jim Walden. Bud Nameck will be on the sideline. Broadcasts can be heard on KXLY 920-AM (Spokane), KCLX 1450-AM (Colfax), KCVL 1240-AM (Colville), KEYG 1490-AM (Grand Coulee), KXFN 106.1-FM (Moscow), KRPL 1400-AM (Moscow) and KBSN 1470-AM (Moses Lake).