by FOXSports.com

Sarkisian will replace fired coach Tyrone Willingham.

The Seattle Times reported that Sarkisian had his coaching friends lobby UW officials for the job, and that UW athletic director Scott Woodward was impressed with Sarkisian's interview. Fresno State coach Pat Hill and Texas Tech's Mike Leach reportedly removed themselves from consideration for the job.

Sarkisian first joined the USC coaching staff in 2001 as an offensive assistant, and became offensive coordinator in 2007. He spent 2004 with the Oakland Raiders as quarterbacks coach, returning to USC in 2005.

Sarkisian was a standout quarterback at BYU, leading the nation in passing efficiency as a senior on a Cougars team that won the 1997 Cotton Bowl.