Mike Leach missed out on defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle the first time.
But not the second time, thanks to a bouquet of flowers.
McDougle, from Florida, turned down an offer from Washington State out of high school to play for West Virginia. After earning ESPN freshman All-American honors at West Virginia, he decided to transfer and was “getting recruited by a lot of schools around the country.”
“The difference to me was the only school that sent flowers to my grandmother’s funeral was Washington State and coach Leach,” said McDougle, 6 feet and 291 pounds, who is vying for time at nose tackle after sitting out last season because of transfer rules.