New UW football coach Steve Sarkisian flew into the area this morning, arriving around noon on a private plane with his family.

After checking into a hotel, his wife and children took a tour of area, while Serkisian went to the UW campus and met with some athletic department personnel and took a tour of the football faciities. He also took some publicity photos, met with athletic director Scott Woodward and was scheduled to attend a couple of receptions with donors tonight.

He also was given a solid recruiting update and reportedly seemed pleased with the organization of the recruiting efforts so far.

Monday morning will be devoted to his introductory press conference, but then he plans to head right into recruiting, which seems to be his first priority, along with assembling a staff.

When I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago for the UW-USC game, I attended a USC practice. That was the week that Tyrone Willingham's release had been announced, so I asked coach Pete Carroll a couple of questions about that, including something about one of his assistants name Steve Sarkisian.

Well, now of course that story reads a little differently, now that we know Sarkisian will be introduced at 9:30 a.m. Monday as coach of the Huskies.

So here's a link to the full original story, in which Carroll discusses Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, and the possibility of the right coach awakening the sleeping giant of UW football.

And here's just a Carroll quote on Sarkisian:

“When you hire a guy who’s done what Steve’s done, you know you’re getting the offense. You’re getting all of the technology, you’re getting all of the history, you’re getting all of the potential. You’re getting a guarantee of the system and all that kind of stuff, and there’s a lot of proof of what that can be. I think that’s a sure-bet deal. He’s been in charge of half of this team for a long time. … All of that, and Southern California – born and raised here. The best single recruiting anywhere is in L.A., and that’s huge for any school, particularly one that’s located around the West. And he’s bright and articulate and handles himself, and he’s a great competitor.”

The story also contained this little tidbit on Sarkisian:

Southern California offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who is mentioned as a possible candidate for Washington’s coaching vacancy, has been in the spotlight at Husky Stadium?

Sarkisian was BYU’s starting quarterback in Washington’s 29-17 victory over the Cougars at Husky Stadium on Sept. 14, 1996. He was 23-of-35 passing for 279 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked eight times. That was BYU’s lone loss during a 14-1 season.

Thanks to Eric Williams for getting UW's 88-52 basketball win over Texas Southern on Saturday while I handled football.

Here's the story on the football game and the end of the Willingham era.

Here's the look ahead to the Steve Sarkinian era, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday with an introductory press conference open to the public.