Names emerge in UW search
SEATTLE – While University of Washington officials remain tight-lipped this week about the search for a new football coach, news is coming from other parts of the country on the school’s search.
Just who will be the next Huskies coach remains a mystery, however, as the team prepares to play its final game under Tyrone Willingham.
More than a month after Seahawks defensive backs coach and head coach in waiting Jim Mora released a statement saying he was not a candidate for the UW job, rumors continued to put him in the mix. On Wednesday, however, Seattle radio station KJR-AM reported that Mora won’t be the coach, though the news didn’t come directly from Mora. Instead, it was reported by KJR’s Dave Mahler, who was told by Hugh Millen, a former UW teammate and roommate of Mora’s, that “there’s no chance, no way” that Mora becomes the next Washington coach.
The biggest news this week is that, according to several reports, Texas Tech’s Mike Leach came to Seattle for an interview. According to a source quoted in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Leach may be intrigued by going to a school where he’d be at the No. 1 program in the state, something he’ll never have in Lubbock. Leach’s trip to Seattle may have also just been a move to get a nice raise, however, as the school is said to be working on a contract extension for the Big 12 coach of the year.
The Huskies may have competition for Leach even if he does want to leave, as it was announced that Auburn is parting ways with Tommy Tuberville. According to the Avalanche-Journal, Auburn has contacted Leach about the job.
Fresno State coach Pat Hill acknowledged to Fresno reporters Monday that he interviewed for the Washington job, and according to the Los Angeles Daily News, USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian also interviewed last week.
The only other candidate known to have interviewed is Notre Dame offensive coordinator Michael Haywood, but he’s seen as a long-shot candidate at best.
Boise State’s Chris Petersen’s name has come up as a potential candidate, but he was quoted over the weekend by the Idaho Statesman as saying he plans on staying in Boise, and it is thought that the school is working on an extension with him. Tuesday’s news that Ducks assistant Chip Kelly has become Oregon’s coach-in-waiting, to replace Mike Bellotti when the latter decides to step aside, could help the Huskies if they are pursuing Petersen. Petersen has long been thought to have interest in the Oregon job. With Oregon out of the picture, Petersen would perhaps consider more seriously an offer from Washington.
Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly told the Cincinnati Enquirer he was contacted by UW, but word from Cincinnati is that Kelly will stay there as the school has announced plans for a stadium renovation and expansion. Utah’s Kyle Whittingham is another potential candidate, but Utah athletic director Chris Hill told the Salt Lake Tribune that he’s trying to extend Whittingham’s contract.
Finally, Cal coach Jeff Tedford, whose name is brought up seemingly whenever a job comes open on the West Coast, said Monday on a conference call that he has not been contacted by Washington.
Tuiasosopo gets sixth year
Washington compliance director John Morris confirmed that linebacker Trenton Tuiasosopo was granted an extra year of eligibility. The NCAA allows players to petition for a sixth year if they miss two seasons for reasons beyond their control. Tuiasosopo fits that criteria after missing almost all of his freshman year with a knee injury, and his second year with a head injury suffered in a bicycle accident.
Tuiasosopo has not said whether he will come back. Should he return, the Huskies would return every starter on defense aside from cornerback Mesphin Forrester and tackle Johnie Kirton.