SEATTLE — University of Washington president Mark Emmert has appointed a search advisory committee to assist in the search for a new football coach, the school announced Wednesday.
The key word in that committee’s title, it would appear, is advisory.
The committee, which will report to Emmert and UW athletic director Scott Woodward, consists of 13 people and is headed by Pat Dobel, a professor of public affairs who also serves as Washington’s faculty athletic representative to the Pac-10 Conference.
But while this committee will advise Woodward and Emmert about what they’re looking for in a head coach, it won’t have much say in who the coach will be.
“It’s an advisory committee to give us the qualities and the criteria they want for a head football coach,” Woodward said. “They’re not selecting candidates, they’re not vetting candidates, they’re not suggesting candidates. They are just vetting the quality of candidates they want and the quality of coach that they want and the values that the coach has as related to the University of Washington.”
Woodward said the advisory committee won’t give input on specific candidates that he and Emmert are discussing, nor will the 13 members know who those candidates are.
The committee is expected to provide its input by the first week of December, which would indicate that a coaching hire won’t be made between now and Washington’s last game on Dec. 6.
“There’s a lot of work going on,” Woodward said. “I never say never on anything, but I wouldn’t look for anything until immediately after the season or a few weeks after.”
Huskies quarterback Jake Locker is the only current student athlete on the committee, which also includes Ana Mari Cauce, dean of the college of arts and sciences; Ed Taylor, dean for undergraduate academic affairs, professor Robert Stacey, representing the advisory committee on intercollegiate athletics; professor David Lovell, chair of the faculty senate; Randy Hodgins, interim vice president for external affairs; Joanne Bower, women’s gymnastics coach; Anttimo Bennett, president of the Associated Students of the University of Washington; Andre Riley, a former Husky football player representing the Big “W” Club; community members Don Barnard and Bob Flowers from the Tyee Board, and Eddie Pasatiempo, representing the UW Alumni Association.
Huskies thin at tailback: Washing started the season with an abundance of tailbacks, but heading into Saturday’s Apple Cup, the Huskies could be lacking depth at the position.
Brandon Johnson, who started last week in place of Terrace Dailey, who had a hip injury, has missed the last two days of practice because of a death in the family. He will likely be back at practice today, but the time he missed this week could be a problem heading into Saturday’s game. Dailey and Willie Griffin were the only tailbacks practicing Wednesday.
Washington has lost Chris Polk, David Freeman and Brandon Yakaboski to injuries this season, and Johri Fogerson moved from tailback to safety early in the year.
Injury updates: The Huskies are expecting to get defensive tackle Senio Kelemete back this week, but are not sure yet of the status of starting left tackle Ben Ossai, who suffered a concussion last week. Ossai did practice Wednesday, but wore a red jersey to signal no contact. If Ossai can’t play, the Huskies will likely shift right tackle Cody Habben to the left side, and start Skyler Fancher at right tackle.
Taking it easy: In an apparent effort to let a banged-up team get healthy, the Huskies have practiced in shorts on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Washington usually goes full pads on Tuesday and Wednesday and then switches to shorts for Thursday’s practice.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more on UW sports, check out the Huskies blog at heraldnet.com /huskiesblog
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