UCLA Coaching Search: Conflicting Reports On Bruins' Interest In Steve Sarkisian

It was reported earlier Friday by the Los Angeles Times that UCLA was interested in the University of Washington's Steve Sarkisian for their vacancy at head football coach. According to that report, "Sarkisian, 37, would be the "big splash" hire that Athletic Director Dan Guerrero [seeks] to energize a flagging fan base."

That being said, it seems unlikely to happen. Husky football beat writer Bob Condotta had this to say:

Even if UCLA were, in fact, talking to Sarkisian, as ESPN's Colin Cowherd put it, 'all things considered, UW [is a] better job than UCLA. Sark know this. Won't take the Bruins job.'

With UW spending $250 million in the next year building a new stadium and facilities for a Husky football program that's returning to national prominence, I too doubt Sark would jump at the chance to return south. We will see. 

UCLA Reportedly Interested in Steve Sarkisian

According to the Los Angeles Times the UCLA Bruins football program is interested in current Washington Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian for the same position, though would likely be a very long shot to get him.

Washington football Coach Steve Sarkisian, a former assistant coach at USC, has been approached by UCLA, according to people familiar with the situation who are not authorized to speak publicly on the subject.

Sarkisian signed a contract extension back in January with Washington that paid him $2.25 million for the 2011 season and would up rise to $2.85 by 2015. The deal also has $2.5-million buyout if Sarkisian left during the first two years of the contract that the Huskies would have to fork over as well.

UCLA likely doesn’t have the money or infrastructure to draw him away from Washington, especially with a $250 million renovation of UW’s football stadium and facilities in the works.

Fore more on the Huskies, head over to UW Dawg Pound. For more on the Bruins check out Bruins Nation.