Washington State hires Nicol as outside receivers coach

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) Washington State has hired former East Carolina offensive coordinator Dave Nichol as new outside wide receivers coach.

The Cougars announced the hiring Thursday. Nichol will begin his duties with Washington State next week after the Cougars play Miami in the Sun Bowl. Nichol replaces Graham Harrell, who has been hired as the offensive coordinator at North Texas.

Nichol will reunite with Washington State coach Mike Leach. Nichol was an offensive line assistant for three seasons at Texas Tech under Leach before spending five seasons at Arizona. For the past four seasons, Nichol was at East Carolina. He spent the first three seasons as the outside wide receivers coach for the Pirates. Nichol was elevated to offensive coordinator this past season.