SEATTLE — When news came down over the weekend that Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis had passed away, University of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian was reminded of his first NFL job, his most high-profile job offer, and one of the strangest interviews of his life.
Sarkisian spent a year worki
ng under Davis as quarterbacks coach with the Raiders in 2004, and he interviewed for the vacant head-coaching job the following year. Sarkisian said Monday he was offered the job but decided to turn it down.
“When the opportunity came, I had to try to remove the emotion of I-get-to-go-coach-the-Oakland-Raiders,” said Sarkisian, a Southern California native who grew up a fan of the Los Angeles Raiders. “Is this the best thing for my family? For myself, for my family and for our careers as we move forward? And I just didn’t feel like it was the right time to be taking that job.”
What Sarkisian remembers most was the one-on-one meeting with Davis, who was an NFL icon but also was known to be hard on his head coaches. The Raiders’ past two coaches — Lane Kiffin, who interviewed the same year as Sarkisian, and current Seattle Seahawks assistant Tom Cable — left the team under uncomfortable circumstances, to say the least.
Sarkisian recalled his interview as being unlike any other.
“The most unique experience of my life,” the current Huskies coach said Monday. “There is no manual to get ready for an interview with Al Davis.”
Sarkisian explained how Davis asked a series of questions that were all over the map, beginning with one about pre-game meals. Sarkisian made it through the interview and contends he was subsequently offered the head-coaching job, even though the Raiders denied making an offer at the time.
While Sarkisian seems to be satisfied with his current gig, he won’t forget the time he spent with Davis.
“A very unique man,” Sarkisian said. “A lot of people have had impact or influence on football over the past 50 years, but I don’t think any one single man has had more of an impact on our game that we play today than Al Davis.”
Bring the pink
Huskies quarterback Keith Price showed up for his Monday media session wearing a pink ribbon on his sweater. He said he’s hoping to have a pink towel on his uniform this Saturday, when UW plays host to Colorado at Husky Stadium.
The symbols are in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a subject that is close to Price. He said his late great-grandmother had the disease, while another relative, aunt Sylvia Manuel, is currently in remission.
“It’s definitely important” to him, Price said Monday.
Williams hobbling
Sarkisian said wide receiver Kasen Williams will be a game-time decision because of a high ankle sprain.
The star freshman hurt his ankle in a win over Utah 10 days ago and spent part of last week in a walking boot.
“We’ll have to evaluate him, but I would imagine Kasen’s going to be a game-time decision come Saturday as that ankle heals throughout the week,” Sarkisian said.
Notes
The new depth chart includes five co-starters on the UW defense. There are two starters listed at both outside linebacker positions, at cornerback, at defensive tackle and at free safety. … Sarkisian said part of last week was spent evaluating the younger players on the team, and he named several freshmen who stood out. Among them was left tackle Dexter Charles, a current redshirt who played at Stanwood High School.
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