Official: Washington Huskies Fire Nick Holt, Two Assistants

After the back and forth reports that Huskies defensive coordinator Nick Holt had been fired the University of Washington made it official this morning. In a press release the school announced that defensive coordinator Nick Holt, linebacker coach Mike Cox and safeties coach Jeff Mills would not be retained.

Sarkisian said in the release that he would begin a nation wide search to find his next defensive coordinator. There wasn’t a timetable given but with recruiting becoming a focal point within the next three weeks it’s expected one will be hired by then. All three coaches will receive pay for the remaining year on their contract (all contracts were through 2012).

With the firings Sarkisian has now lost a total of four coaches after Demetrice Martin left for UCLA. The only remaining coach on defense is defensive line coach Johnny Nansen.

After Washington’s historical lose to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl Thursday it was all but official that Nick Holt, and likely several assistant coaches would be fired. It wasn’t just the bowl game that cost Holt his job, it was the entire 2011 season and much of the 2010 season as well.

Washington’s defense ranked 94th in total yards (5,116), 59th in sacks (23), 99th in scoring defense,  116th in passing defense and 55th in run defense.

Since 2009 Washington’s defense has gotten considerably worse and there’s no hiding it. In 2009, Holt’s first year on the job, Washington only allowed two 40-point games against No.11 Oregon and No.23 Oregon State. 2010 that number doubled with two being 50-point games to No.8 Nebraska and No.1 Oregon.

This season Washington still allowed four 40-point games with one 50-point game to No.11 Nebraska and one 60-point game to No.8 Stanford. While the passing defense ranked worst Washington couldn’t stop the run against Stanford, Nebraska or Baylor giving up over 300 yards on the ground in each game.

It was in the best interest for Holt not to return given the amount of outside pressure put on Sarkisian. The Huskies showed they have the offense to compete for a Pac-12 title and a BCS bowl but they don’t have the defense to play in  any bowl game.

With eight redshirt freshman on defense alone next season Washington should expect to see a better defense under a new coordinator. However recruiting the next two to three weeks will be very important for Washington with several top uncommitted recruits on both offense and defense.

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