Washington Huskies: Rising From The Ashes?

(Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

After an abysmal 2008 campaign, the Washington Husky football team can only get better.  For perspective, even a single win—just one—this year will be a significant improvement.  After last year’s effort, the Husky AD cleaned house, and imported some coaching talent from one of the premier programs in the land at the University of Spoiled Children.  (Their recent NCAA violations aside, their coaching, tactics, and execution of the past decade has been impressive).

With the new coaching staff, and few changes in the roster, the question is—what can a purple-and-gold fan expect for this year—other than the assumed Apple Cup victory?

Coaching –

Based on the activity this offseason, the coaches clearly have a plan and players are either on board with it—or out. The tempo at practices has significantly changed, the attention to detail has increased, and bottom line – the emotion has returned.  New Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has brought a disciplined approach to the whole team, and a new pro-style offensive playbook.  His energy appears to have penetrated the 2008 hangover in the players, and started to plant the seeds of hope.

Defensive Coordinator, and former linebacker, Nick Holt appears ready to go toe to toe with any defensive player who doesn’t want to give a full effort.  The addition of Doug Nussmeier as Locker’s coach/mentor is targeted specifically at moving him from a talented improviser to a disciplined playcaller.  In addition, this coaching staff has clearly made an impression on some high school talent, as their 2010 recruiting class will be the highest ranked incoming Husky class in years.

Overall, I believe that this coaching staff is better for this young team than the prior staff.  The expectations of structure and execution have already had an impact on the team.  This season, when the chips go against the Dawgs, the expectation is that this coaching staff will lean on their detailed preparation, make some adjustments, and their boys should deliver. 

Players –

To state the obvious, Jake Locker is the player who faces the highest expectations for this year.  The raw talent he showcased last year creates the perception that he is ready to take the step to that “next level”.   He has succeeded so far by being a man against boys in one-on-one on field challenges.  However, that didn’t win a game before his injury last year.  He must now make the change from being the best player on the field to being the best quarterback on the field.

Outside of the quarterback, expectations will be raised across the board for any of the players.  With last year’s team, things got so bad so quickly, single players or plays were rarely singled out.  Willingham’s style was not to attack a particular player, nor isolate specific instances.  The players played well in spots, but with injuries and roster moves - there wasn't a consistent Husky unit at any point in the season.  

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