Where there was a Willingham, there wasn’t a way.
When Scott Woodward, UW’s athletic director, made the decision to move forward on finding a new direction for the Husky football team, coach Tyrone Willingham was shown the door. With a forced resignation last Monday, the coach announced he would leave at year’s end.
Of course, he made it clear it wasn’t by choice. Just as he’d said all year, he once again stated he would continue to coach the team in the same manner, with the same diligence and integrity in which he approached each game.
In a year where the football coach needed his team to save his job, they floundered. Before the season I wrote a column speculating the UW would need to make a bowl game – with a convincing number of wins – for the coach to save his job. Turns out I was way off with my guess of winnable games for the UW. At this point, I’m not sure the 0-7 Huskies could beat Bellevue High School.
So Willingham will finish out the season and ride into the sunset. Which leaves the team looking for a new man to right the ship. There have been many names thrown into the mix for the job, some realistic, some far-fetched. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the early favorites.
Jim Mora Jr.
A former UW player, Mora has mentioned more than once his interest in the job. It got him in hot water while he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, when he told a radio host he’d take the UW job if offered, no matter where he was coaching. It’s also home — he graduated and played football for Interlake High School.
But he’s also the heir apparent to the Seahawks crown, having already been named Mike Holmgren’s successor when he retires after the season. Although given Mora’s known interest in the UW job, it wouldn’t be surprising if the five-year contract he signed included a “UW out-clause.”
Chris Peterson
Any big school opening seems to have interest in Peterson, who has continued to taste success at Boise State. But there’s been no indication that he wants to leave the Broncos’ blue turf.
Lane Kiffen
The recently dismissed coach of the Raiders, Kiffen has experience in the Pac-10 after serving as USC’s offensive coordinator. That could help with recruiting. Like Mora and Peterson, another younger coach seemingly on the rise. Kiffen already has expressed his interest in the job.
Gary Pinkel
The coach of the Missouri Tigers was a longtime assistant under Husky coaching legend Don James. He’s costy — he’s making nearly $2.4 million — and now that he has the Tigers on the upswing, there’s no telling if he’d even want to leave.
Will Muschamp
Muschamp has the requisite ties – he was the defensive coordinator for LSU when the Tigers won the national championship during UW President Mark Emmert and AD Scott Woodward’s time at that school.
He’s now in the same position for top-ranked team in the country, the Texas Longhorns.
Mike Leach
The current coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders’ name has been tossed around for the UW job. One things for sure — he’d bring an exciting brand of football to the University of Washington.
Pat Hill
The current coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs, Hill was rumored to have been interested in the job the last go-round. With the success he’s had at Fresno, it’s hard to imagine him not succeeding with better resources.
Dave Christenen
If Pinkel isn’t interested, the Huskies can always take a run at his offensive coordinator, an Everett native and former UW player.
