Steve Sarkisian reportedly heading to USC

According to multiple reports, Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian is leaving to take the job at USC.

ESPN’s Colin Cowherd wrote “Sark to USC” on Twitter this morning, then shortly after his colleague Joe Schad was reporting the same news. Scott Wolf of the LA Daily News is also reporting that USC and Sarkisian are finalizing a deal, though he notes it has not been signed yet.

Sark to USC.

— Colin Cowherd (@ESPN_Colin) December 2, 2013

Steve Sarkisian has accepted the USC head coaching position

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 2, 2013

#USC finalizing deal to hire Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, according to sources. More coming on this

— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) December 2, 2013

#USC sent contract to Steve Sarkisian. I’m told not signed and sealed yet. More to come

— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) December 2, 2013

Sarkisian, who was hired after the 2008 season to replace Tyrone Willingham following an 0-12 season, has a 34-29 record in five seasons at Washington. Friday’s Apple Cup victory improved Washington’s record to 8-4, the program’s best under Sarkisian after three straight 7-6 seasons.

Earlier Monday ESPN reported that Sarkisian had interviewed over the weekend with USC, but he denied that report during his weekly appearance on Sports Radio 950 KJR with Mitch Levy, saying “”I didn’t interview for the job. They (USC) reached out and I talked to them (this weekend)… I’m not anywhere near along the course of taking that job or not, and you know, by no means I think they’re in that place at all.”