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College Football - Steve Sarkisian - a real breath of fresh air for Washington Huskies

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Is apparently half-Armenian and half-Irish, 34 years old and the new coach of the University of Washington football team. Meet Steve Sarkisian, young, energetic, successful and excited about the opportunity to turn around the fortunes of the Husky football program.

That will not be as difficult as a current problem in Washington 0-12 season record would suggest. We are intentionally not mentioning the fired coach who is replacing Sarkisian. Sarkisian and the University of Washington deserve a clean slate at this point in time. The old man is best left unwritten history.

Before you came to Seattle to be announced as the new coach, coach, Sarkisian has never been head of a college football program more important. Some experts believe his hiring a person because of his coaching inexperience in chief. I believe that his inexperience an asset because Sarkisian is not bringing a bunch of practices, beliefs tired of what worked for 20 years, and old friends as part of the coaching staff.

Just win one game next season will make it more successful than its predecessor.

Sarkisian was the coach quarterback, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at the University of Southern California in the last 2 years. USC is a national power coached by Pete Carroll. So what's the problem with the USC and Pete Carroll? Just this:

In the 7 years prior to this season, Carroll is 76-14 (84%) USC, the best winning percentage of any current Division 1 coach with a minimum of 5 years of experience. Carroll won the National Championship in 2003 and 2004, won an unprecedented 6 straight Pac 10 titles and appeared in an NCAA record 6 consecutive BCS bowl games, won an NCAA record of at least 11 victories each season, and has been ranked in the Top 4 of AP in each of those seasons.

This year, the Trojans won their 7th straight Pac 10 title and return to 11-1 going into its 7th consecutive BCS Rose Bowl appearance, this time against Penn State.

So what has Sarkisian had to do with the success of Carroll? He was there 7 of last 8 years, first as quarterback coach and then as a quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach the past 2 years. Sarkisian led USC's offensive effort, while helping develop Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart (drafted by the Arizona Cardinals) and Carson Palmer (Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals). He also helped develop John David Brody (drafted by the Minnesota Vikings).

It is also a thing is the quarterbacks coach when there has been or has been a great success, and something else to do it as a great college quarterback, that Sarkisian was at Brigham Young University.

After two years at a community college, Sarkisian began to BYU as a junior, passing for 3437 yards and 20 touchdowns. He finished his first season to go 31-of-34 for 399 yards and 3 touchdowns in BYU 45-28 victory over Fresno State, setting an NCAA record for completion percentage (91%), and 2 of his 3 passes were released intentionally incomplete out of bounds to avoid the pass rush.

As a senior, Sarkisian passed for 4027 yards and 33 touchdowns with a 173 + number of passing efficiency, the best in the NCAA. BYU finished the regular season 13-1, won the Western Athletic Conference Championship and then beat Kansas State 19-15 in the Cotton Bowl. He was selected as WAC Offensive Player of the Year and a second team NCAA All-American.

While Washington is first job as Steve Sarkisian head coach, he is clearly a winner as a player and a winner as a coach at USC.

So far, Sarkisian has made 2 quality decision-accepted challenge Washington and not keeping any eviction of the team coaches who inherited 0-12. Good job, Steve. Who wants or needs without winning coaches?

Sarkisian first order of business (in addition to hiring and recruitment as there's no tomorrow) will be to change the culture of Washington program by restoring a winning attitude to belief.

Only time will tell how successful the program will enjoy Sarkisian football Washington Husky, but one thing is sure: the Athletic Director Scott Woodward decision to hire is a giant step in the right direction.

Chick Pick NCAA College Football USC Trojans vs Virginia Cavaliers Selection from Brigida Santos from Gamblers Television

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