Willingham to step down at season's end

[Da Schwab]

SEATTLE -- Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said Monday he will step down at the end of the 2008 season.

The embattled Washington coach fell to 0-7 on Saturday after a 33-7 loss to Notre Dame. Willingham and athletics director Scott Woodward made the announcement at a news conference.

Willingham has been under fire for being unable to turn around the Washington program. He is 11-32 overall in his four seasons with the Huskies. Washington currently has a nine-game losing streak dating back to last season, tied with North Texas for the longest in the country.

Woodward has said he did not want to change coaches during the middle of the season. But he said Monday's announcement ends speculation of what is going to happen with Willingham and lets the team focus on the final five games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3667258

I'm sure Washington is breathing a sigh of relief, because it was either this or actually having to fire him, and that would bring too much heat to the school (the race issue, as dumb as it is).

I think Ty just needs to get back into a coordinator's role at a new school, or just take a HC job at a small school, possibly in I-AA or whatever they call it now.

[HeavyP]

As a hardcore UW fan I have to say that it's sad to see this guy go like that, however it was more than time for him to leave. I was one of the few that said you had to give him at least 4 years otherwise it makes the program look bad just hiring/firing coaches all the time.

That being said, I'm glad he's coaching the rest of the year to make sure the athletes go to class and continue to work out and all that jazz.

My coaching wish list for UW is:
1.) Chris Petersen from Boise State
2.) Lane Kiffin
3.) Todd Graham
4.) Gary Patterson
5.) Will Muschamp
6.) Randy Edsall
7.) Brian Kelly

[A.J.]

I think Kiffin would be the perfect choice for Washington, if he doesnt take the Syracuse job first.

[KingInExile]

I hate to lay all the blame for the Huskies' performance at Ty's feat. He had a bad hand dealt to him from the beginning and was plagued with critical injuries most of this season and last. But...this is the fate of programs that don't succeed.

[SteveScheffler]

tyrone willingham is not a good football coach. tyrone willingham is the reason the huskies are in shambles. tyrone willingham refers to himself in the third person. we should not feel sorry for tyrone willingham.

[AgEnT50]

tyrone willingham is not a good football coach. tyrone willingham is the reason the huskies are in shambles. tyrone willingham refers to himself in the third person. we should not feel sorry for tyrone willingham.

[nickypoo]

I really like the guy, he got the shaft at ND a season too early and I get the same feeling here. Injuries will kill any team and this team has had plenty.
Stanback is probrably the biggest loss of all and that penalty in the BYU game.

[lpsevier]

lol @ Washington not getting anywhere near the heat ND did over this.

THE MAKER OF MEN IS NOT A GOOD FOOTBALL COACH

[craig01]

TW hasn't done much at UW........the hook came at the right time.