It's all but official at this point: Mike Leach will become the next head coach of the Washington State Cougars. According to reports on Wednesday afternoon, Leach has signed a contract with WSU. Earlier in the day, reports emerged indicating Leach had reached a verbal agreement with the Cougars, and all that was pending was a signature on the contract.

The report comes from Ian Furness of KJR Radio in Seattle.

@IanKJR has confirmed that Mike Leach has officially signed his contract with the Washington State #Cougars — @SportsRadioKJR via Twitter

The Washington State coaching job became available on Tuesday, when athletic director Bill Moos announced Paul Wulff would not be back. In a press conference announcing the coaching change, Moos talked of wanting to add a high-powered offense, while explicitly saying he knew Mike Leach and that Leach was on the Cougars short list.

For more on Wazzu, visit Washington State blog Coug Center and SB Nation Seattle. And here's our 2011 Coaching Carousel Tracker.