WAC is a coaches conference

If it isn't already, the Western Athletic Conference is fast becoming known as a coaches conference.

Start with Chris Ault, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, who has 177 career wins and is the fifth winningest coach.

Next is San Jose State's Dick Tomey, who is the 11th winningest active coach with 161 wins. Tomey took Arizona to seven bowl games in 14 years, and he also compiled a 63-46-3 record in 10 years at Hawai'i.

Fresno State's Pat Hill has chalked up 72 wins, and was being courted by NFL teams in the off-season. There's New Mexico State's Hal Mumme, who guided Kentucky to two bowl games and is widely regarded as a great offensive coach. There's Hawai'i's June Jones, who was a head coach at Atlanta and San Diego.

And, if that wasn't enough, Idaho hired Dennis Erickson in the off-season. Erickson guided the University of Miami to two national titles and seven total bowl appearances. Erickson also guided Oregon State to three bowl appearances in four wins. The 59-year-old Erickson also coached the 49ers for two seasons.

Just for good measure, Jerry Glanville, a former NFL head coach, is assisting Jones in Hawai'i.

"It's interesting," Jones said. "This conference adding Dennis and some other people. Hal (Mumme) has Super Bowl rings on his staff (Woody Widenhofer, formerly with Pittsburgh Steelers) and Dennis (Erickson) won two national championships."

Tomey said it's all about geography. He took the San Jose State job because he liked the Bay Area from his time with the 49ers.

"People like to live in great places," he said. "It's a highly competitive league, no question about that."

PUNISHMENT HANDLED IN HOUSE

Utah State coach Brent Guy said that the five players arrested recently for marijuana possession won't miss any games this season.

One of the five, tailback, Marcus Cross is expected to start for the Aggies this season.

Guy said that the punishment has been handled by the program. The players were charged with a misdemeanor.

SIX IS OK NOW

Starting this year, teams that play a 12-game schedule will become bowl eligible with six wins. Teams that play 13 games must win seven games.

An extra game has been added by the BCS this season - the national title game on Jan. 8 in Phoenix. It will be in addition to the Rose, Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls and match the top-seeded BCS teams.