PULLMAN, Wash. -- Rien Long, Washington State's first team All-America defensive tackle and winner of the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman, said Thursday he will return for his senior season under a new head coach.

"I'm staying,'' Long told the Eastside Journal. "It's a load off.''

Long said the biggest factor in his decision was the selection of Bill Doba as WSU's new head coach. Doba has been the team's defensive coordinator.

Long said he would also be able to continue to work with Robb Akey, the defensive line coach promoted to defensive coordinator, and Mike Walker, who shared defensive line coaching duties with Akey.

Long said he respected and worked well with all of them.

Longtime coach Mike Price has accepted the head coaching spot at Alabama.

Long is a 6-foot-6, 286-pound lineman who had 20.5 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks this season.

The heart of the Cougars' stingy defense this season, Long was recruited by Doba from Anacortes High School.

"He's the one that got me here. He's the one who made me fall in love with this place,'' Long said earlier of Doba.