I'm not sure what to think about Leach even after 7 seasons at WSU. Yes, Mike Price won two conference championships there - but it had been 60+ years since their previous one when Price won his first. It is a tough place to recruit to; the Palouse is really quite nice but it can be difficult to sell to 17-year olds from CA, Hawai'i, or the Seattle area. OTOH, it took the biggest collapse in Apple Cup history in 2012 or he'd be 0-7 against UW.
UW DC Jimmy Lake said last night that what Leach does is very effective but that he will not change it. Clearly Petersen figured out how to beat him and as Leach just keeps doing the same thing, until he proves he can adjust against what UW is doing, things may not change in the Apple Cup.
I think Leach is a perfect fit for WSU and vice-versa; they will let the Pirate swing his sword and embrace his ways, because without him may lie something far worse. Yet even with the outstanding results he's been putting up there, if he can't beat Washington even his seat will start warming up. I hope the Cougs make a big 6 bowl and do well - getting Leach back on a big stage is always an enjoyable thing.