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PROVO • New Washington State coach Mike Leach is returning to Provo.
Leach, who didn't play or coach football at BYU, but earned a bachelors degree at the school, will bring his Cougars to Provo next season for his WSU coaching debut.
BYU announced Friday that it has reached an agreement for a home-and-home series with Washington State beginning in 2012. The first game will be on Sept. 1, 2012, in Provo.
The Cougars will travel to Pullman, Wash., for a game in 2013.
"We are excited to finalize this series with Washington State," said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. "It fits well with our philosophy of scheduling regional games with quality opponents. It also gives our fans in the Northwest another opportunity to see our football team play live."
Game times and broadcast plans will be announced at a later date. BYU leads the series, 2-1.
BYU's 12 opponents in 2012 are now set.
The Cougars will play host to Washington State, Weber State, Utah State, Oregon State, Hawaii and Idaho. They will travel to Utah, Boise State, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, New Mexico State and San Jose State.
The Cougars will play in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego after the 2012 season if they are bowl eligible and not invited to play in a BCS bowl.