Pac-12 to investigate player's claims on Mike Leach

• Wilson was Washington State's leading receiver
• League commissioner Larry Scott says there will be an independent investigations
• Washington State's athletic director is supporting Mike Leach and his coaching methods

DENVER – Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said Monday the league has been asked to help conduct an independent inquiry into allegations by former Washington State receiver Marquess Wilson of mistreatment by the coaching staff.

In a letter released to news media outlets Saturday, Wilson claimed first-year coach Mike Leach and his staff "preferred to belittle, intimidate and humiliate us" and referred to "physical, emotional and verbal abuse."

Wilson, the Cougars' leading receiver, was suspended indefinitely by Leach Nov. 5 for breaking unspecified team rules. He announced he was leaving the team Saturday.

Scott, who is in Denver for a meeting with BCS conference commissioners, said Washington State president Elson Floyd asked for the Pac-12's assistance, but added he wasn't sure yet what form the aid would take. In a statement released Sunday, Floyd called for a review to "get to the bottom of the matter."

Leach's 10-year tenure at Texas Tech ended in 2009 after a player claimed mistreatment. He was hired a year ago after two years away from coaching. After a 44-36 loss Saturday to UCLA, Washington State is 2-8 overall and 0-7 in Pac-12 play.

"I'm not going to talk about anyone that isn't here," Leach told reporters after the game.

According to the Washington State-focused web site cougcenter.com, athletic director Bill Moos on Monday defended and supported Leach in Moos' weekly call-in show.

"I think young people today crave discipline," Moos said, according to the web site. "They just don't know it. There's gonna be discipline in Cougar athletics."

Moos added, "I have members of my staff that are in all aspects of practice, locker rooms. Student-athlete welfare is always at the top of my list of my priority. Football is a tough game. Tough players are the result of tough coaches."