UW president: Give Willingham some time

Published 1:06 pm Tuesday, September 9, 2008

SEATTLE — The president of the University of Washington says Husky fans need to give football coach Tyrone Willingham a break.

President Mark Emmert says the team has one of its toughest schedules ever and the players and their coaches just need some things to bounce their way. The Huskies are staring at a possible 0-3 start with No. 3 Oklahoma up next. Emmert says no one is more frustrated by the team’s losing record than Willingham.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Emmert said many fans have been offering their opinions on the football program, but he says it hasn’t been a tsunami.

Emmert says the university is weeks away from hiring a new athletic director. Emmert says the search has taken so long — the man who hired Willingham was forced to resign effective Feb. 1 — because he is picky.