USC Hires Steve Sarkisian as New Football Coach

LOS ANGELES — Steve Sarkisian was named the coach at USC on Monday, leaving Washington to return to the Trojans’ program.

Sarkisian, 39, a native of Torrance, Calif., who played at El Camino Junior College, was an assistant at USC for seven seasons (2001 to 2003 and 2005 to 2008). He also played baseball at USC before transferring.

Sarkisian in 2009 took over a Washington program that went 0-12 the previous season, and he returned the Huskies to respectability. He led Washington to a 34-29 record (24-21 Pac-12) in five seasons.

“I am extremely excited to be coming home to USC and for the opportunity that USC presents to win championships,” he said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get started.”

“We are delighted to welcome Steve Sarkisian back to the Trojan Family,” USC athletic director Pat Haden said in a statement. “We conducted a very exhaustive and thorough search, pinpointing about 20 candidates and interviewing five of them. We kept coming back to Sark. He is the only one who was offered the job. I believe in my gut that he is the right coach for USC at this time.”

“He embodies many of the qualities for which we looked,” Haden said. “He is an innovative coach who recruits well and develops players. He is a proven and successful leader. He connects with people. He has energy and passion. He knows how to build a program and create a culture that we value. He is committed to academic success and rules compliance. And he understands the heritage and tradition of USC.”