Steve Sarkisian Named USC Head Coach After Spending Last 5 Seasons With Washington Huskies

With the USC Trojans football program parting ways with head coach Lane Kiffin earlier this season, speculation was that the team would explore outside opportunities throughout their coaching search. Though interim coach Ed Orgeron led the Trojans to a 6-2 record after stepping in for Kiffin, a 35-14 loss to UCLA to cap off the 2013 regular season certainly did not help Orgeron's case to remain the boss of one of the biggest programs in the nation. The 52-year-old had previous gained head coaching experience at the University of Mississippi but with the team desperately looking to get back in the national picture, athletic director Pat Haden elected to go elsewhere.

According to multiple sources, the University of Southern California has named former offensive coordinator and University of Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian as its next leader. Sarkisian served as the Trojans quarterbacks coach from 2001 to 2003 and then departed the university to take the same role with the Oakland Raiders of the NFL. Rejoining the Trojans program in 2005, the 39-year-old was soon elevated to offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, with the Trojans and head coach Pete Carroll achieving an overall record of 22-3 with Sarkisian calling the offensive plays.

Departing USC once again in 2009 to take the head coaching position at Washington, Sarkisian enjoyed periods of success but was never able to take the Huskies to a top national level. Posting an overall record of 34-29 in 5 seasons along with a 1-2 record in bowl games, the Torrance, California native will now face the challenge of rebuilding a Southern California team that possesses loads of talent but has not been able to get back in the big time championship picture since Pete Carroll departed for the Seattle Seahawks.

The Trojans finished the 2013 regular season with a respectable record of 9-4. Now that they have a new head coach known for his ability to get the best out of the quarterback position, those involved with the program at USC are anticipating a return to the spotlight after taking a brief absence. In his time spent with the Trojans, Sarkisian was instrumental in the development of quarterbacks Carson Palmer (now with the Arizona Cardinals), Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matt Leinart (NFL free agent).

Set to begin his duties with his former employer, Steve Sarkisian will receive a roster with quarterback question marks. Freshman Max Browne certainly has upside but Cody Kessler and Max Wittek have also shown the ability to find success from under center, even if they have been inconsistent. The good news for Sarkisian is that USC holds a high level of talent on the roster and the school is in a great location for recruiting.