USC hires Steve Sarkisian

USC hired former Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian as its head football coach on Monday.
Sarkisian is from Los Angeles and returns to a program where he was an assistant for Pete Carroll. He was Carroll’s assistant from 2001 to 2003 and 2005 to 2008. He replaces interim head coach Ed Orgeron, who led USC to a 6-2 record after replacing Lane Kiffin in September. Sarkisian, who will take over in late December, will be USC’s fourth head coach in less than three months, according to the Associated Press. Sarkisian is glad to be back at USC.
''It's awesome to be home,'' Sarkisian said. ''A lot has gone on, but it's awesome to be back. I'm fired up to be here. ... It's great to be back. It's great to be part of the Trojan family again. It's always been a dream of mine to be here.''
For the last five seasons, Sarkisian has been the head coach for Washington. Sarkisian is 34-29 in five seasons with Washington, which includes an 8-4 record this season, according to the Los Angeles Times. His contract with Washington went until 2015. Washington will be paid$1.5 million for Sarkisain to get out of his contract, the AP notes.
Sarkisian was formally introduced at a news conference today. Many USC players had mixed emotions about the move. But USC athletic director Pat Haden believes that Sarkisian is the right person for the job.