'I don't think this is in my hands': Nick Rolovich unsure of future at Washington State as vaccine mandate deadline looms

Washington State improved to 4-3 on the season with a dramatic 34-31 win over Stanford in a back-and-forth affair.

It was the Cougars' third straight victory – but it also might be their final game under head coach Nick Rolovich.

The Washington State coach, who is not yet vaccinated, faces a Monday deadline to get the COVID-19 vaccine or get approved for a religious exemption, which he is seeking. The vaccine mandate was levied by the state of Washington for all state employees. If employees don't get the vaccine or an exemption by the Oct. 18 deadline, they will be fired.

Rolovich said he's "waiting on an email" to see if his exemption is granted but he "believes it's going to work out the right way," to keep him as the head coach at Washington State.

“I’m going to come to work tomorrow and get ready for BYU,” Rolovich, who was doused by his players on the field after the game, said Saturday night. But “I don't think this is in my hands," he added.

"I've been settled for a long time on it," Rolovich said of not getting the vaccine and going the religious exemption route. "I believe it's going to work out the right way."

Asked if "the right way," meant getting the exemption and remaining the coach of Washington State, Rolovich replied: "Correct. Or if that's not what (Washington State athletic director Pat Chun) wants then I guess I gotta move on. But I like being here, I like being the coach here, I love these kids. I just got faith in it."

Contributing: Brent Schrotenboer

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Rolovich on future ahead of COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline