Emmert picks Willingham to bring football back to its traditions

The search for the 25th coach of the UW football team is over. UW President Mark Emmert announced he is hiring Tyrone Willingham at a press conference Monday.

Willingham returns to the Pac-10 after three seasons at Notre Dame and seven seasons with Stanford prior to that.

Willingham's contract is for five years with an annual base salary is $425,000 with additional guaranteed media, marketing and representation rights and deferred compensation totaling $1,005,000. Willingham can earn up to an additional $600,000 in incentives.

Willingham addressed the media at the press conference Monday alongside Athletic Director Todd Turner and Emmert.

"When Tyrone became available a few weeks ago, we were absolutely stunned and elated," said Emmert. "So for me, this was a very, very easy choice. When we sat down and talked with Tyrone, it couldn't have been clearer in my mind that this was the man that we wanted to lead the University of Washington back to its former glory days. I'm absolutely delighted that Coach Willingham is with us, we couldn't be more lucky."

Willingham stressed the traditions and successes of the UW's football program. Noting Washington's recent difficulties, he said he hopes to bring the team back to its former glory.

"What I would hope to do in my time here is to go back to all those great things and great accomplishments that this program has achieved. That will be my focus to get back to the toughness," he said. "It is time for the University of Washington to return to being 'the Dawgs', and that is a vicious animal. ... I think our players are excited about hearing that kind of conversation about envisioning themselves playing and living up to that kind of tradition."

The hiring of Willingham means the UW is the first major university with both of its top sports programs being coached by blacks. Lorenzo Romar is leading his third UW basketball team. Emmert was quick to point out, however, that Willingham was selected because of his football abilities, not his racial background.

"The reasons we hired Tyrone Willingham are that he is a wonderful person who's a perfect fit for the University of Washington in every aspect I can think of. The fact that he happens to be African-American is just a little bit extra. We're delighted that we have in Lorenzo Romar and Coach Willingham, two first-rate coaches who are wonderful people of great character who put their players' concerns and needs as young men first and foremost, and that they're going to be competitive and win on the field," said Emmert.

Willingham said he will start out by learning a little bit about the UW and what he can do to better "sell this University to our young people." He said he would also like to become familiar with the facilities and programs related to football.

Along with Emmert, Turner and Willingham at the conference yesterday were several high-profile players.

"(Willingham) brings in discipline and confidence. We needed that and I'm really happy about the decision," said UW quarterback Isaiah Stanback. "I'm glad the decision has been made and we know what's going on."

The lone returning captain, linebacker Joe Lobendahn exhibited a sense of relief, even though he had his reservations when the Willingham rumors began shortly after his Notre Dame firing.



"What I knew of Willingham before, I actually didn't like the idea and thought he was kind of boring and I wasn't excited about it. After he talked to us (Sunday night), I've completely changed my attitude about it and I'm very excited now," he said. "He brings in discipline and knows how to win. The talent has always been here and this is now my third head coach. I think he can help bring out the best in us and make us winners again."

Two past Husky quarterbacks also spoke about the decision to hire Willingham. Marques Tuiasosopo, who now plays for the Oakland Raiders, spoke about playing against Notre Dame while Willingham was coach.

"I'm excited about Ty Willingham coaching up at Washington. I played against him when I was there and his teams were always well prepared -- they fought hard and played well. I got a chance to play with some of his players, and the stuff they've told me about him will fit right in with our history and tradition in Washington," he said. "I'm looking forward to this new chapter of Washington football. I think Ty will do a good job up there and get it back to where it has been and where it belongs."



The 1978 Rose Bowl MVP Warren Moon added, "This is an outstanding hire. Tyrone is a person of incredible integrity, and incredible character, and he is going to bring those qualities back to this program. He has a tremendous talent for developing young men. He's going to be a very no-nonsense coach, but he'll also teach the players to have fun in a high-class way."