We're going to play by the rules, Gilbertson says

In his first official day on the job as coach of the Husky football team, Keith Gilbertson had strong words for the future of the team.

"If I made a mission statement, here is what I would say: 'We want to play championship-caliber, hard-nosed, Division-I, tough football," he said. "We want our people to enjoy their experience on this campus, earn a degree, be better people when they leave than when they came, and we are going to play by the rules."

With a month away until the Huskies' first game of 2003 against the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, UW Athletic Director Barbara Hedges announced yesterday that former offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson will take over the helm for the now officially fired Rick Neuheisel.

"We're very fortunate to have a person on our staff with the background and experience to assume the head coaching position," Hedges said in a press release.

Gilbertson, 55, becomes the oldest coach in Husky history.

With Neuheisel out, Gilbertson will seek to put attention toward the on-the-field activities of Husky athletics.

Gilbertson agreed to a four-year deal that includes annual compensation of $870,000. Gilbertson assisted Dennis Erickson with the Seattle Seahawks from 1995 through 1998. and had an opportunity to rejoin Erickson as an assistant for the San Francisco 49ers, but decided on the purple and gold instead.

Though he bounced around several teams, Gilbertson has spent much of his career with Washington.

Gilbertson's history with Husky football extends back to 1976 when he served as a [graduation] assistant for coach Don James. He returned to the UW from 1988 until 1991 after stints with professional and college teams.

Gilbertson coached the offensive line before becoming the offensive coordinator in 1991. His guidance helped the Huskies lead the Pac-10 in rushing and scoring, and win the program's only national championship.

In 1999, when Neuheisel was brought on as coach, Gilbertson returned to UW. He coached tight ends and was again named offensive coordinator for the 2000 season.

With the announcement of Gilbertson's promotion came two new additions to the Husky staff. Scott Pelluer will be the new assistant coach, filling Gilbertson's vacant position. John Pettas, the former quarterback coach, was named offensive coordinator.

Gilbertson began his football career at Snohomish High School before playing at Central Washington University in 1967, Columbia Basin Junior College in 1968, and University of Hawaii from 1969 through 1970.