In the past week or so, UCLA has reportedly been rejected by big names such as Boise State’s Chris Petersen and Houston’s Kevin Sumlin as they continue their quest to replace Rick Neuheisel.
In the next day or so -- if they haven’t already -- the Bruins will very likely be rejected by yet another big-name target.
According to the Los Angeles Times, and citing people familiar with the situation, UCLA has approached Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian about their coaching vacancy. The Bruins’ overtures have apparently not made much of an impression on Sarkisian; the Times writes that “those efforts have fallen on deaf ears, as the Huskies’ coach remains committed to staying at Washington.”
UW officials would neither confirm nor deny to the paper that UCLA has been in contact with Sarkisian or his representation.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes “all indications to date are that this is strictly a one-way deal” and “that while Sarkisian may be on UCLA’s list, he’s not interested in leaving.” Following practice Friday, Sarkisian refuted the report, saying that he hasn’t been contacted by UCLA.
There’s no mention of whether Sarkisian was asked if his agent had fielded any calls from the Bruins.
Sarkisian has spent the past three years pulling the UW football program out of the deep hole dug by his predecessors, Tyrone Willingham and Keith Gilbertson. That rebuilding effort is beginning to bear fruit on the field as Sarkisian has won more games the past three years (19) than Willingham and Gilbertson won in the six previous years (18).
Prior to coming to the Huskies, Sarkisian had spent seven of the eight previous seasons as an assistant at UCLA’s crosstown rival USC.