Jim Michalczik takes offensive coordinator position

by John Berkowitz on Dec 15, 2008 8:33 AM PST

The coaching search is beginning to wind down and word has it that Steve Sarkisian nabbed a pretty big fish this weekend when he picked up California's Jim Michalczik for the offensive coordinator position. Michalczik has a reputation of being one of the top offensive line coaches in the West and if you look at the way Cal runs the ball and develops linemen the kudo's are very well deserved.

Michalczik is from Port Angeles and played his college ball at WSU. He always wanted to be a Husky but never got the offer as a player so now he gets his chance to wear some purple and gold.

It appears at first glance that Michalczik will fill the dual roles of offensive coordinator and offensive line coach but that hasn't been confirmed.

Expect the level of news coming out of the program to pick up today since Sarkisian will be back in Seattle working on recruiting and getting his staff organized.

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I like it

Anybody from Clallam County is OK by me.

His wife is a Husky as well, lot’s of NW ties so he should stay for a while. That continuity thing, ya know.

Jack

by T9ODawg on Dec 15, 2008 8:49 AM PST reply actions

Continuity

I think it is a fantastic hire. The proof is in the pudding on this one. The guy knows how to develop offensive linemen. We just may get Hawaii stud Stan Hasiak because of this.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 15, 2008 9:37 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, hard to not to get excited about this hire. I’ve been a big fan of Cal’s offense with their strong balance between running and passing, and that should meld nicely with the pro-style attack Sarkisian has run at USC. The Husky RB’s should be high-fiving each other over this one.

And if Michalczik and Sarkisian can steal Stan Hasiak away from UCLA and Cal, all the better…

by kirkd on Dec 15, 2008 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

Nice Get!!

So far so good…still want to see how they do on the recruiting trail.

by bigdave967 on Dec 15, 2008 10:00 AM PST reply actions

Agreed!

This guy can coach the Oline. I know he’s reported to be the offensive co coordinator by I think he’ll really help the oline coaching.

by doubledeucedawg on Dec 15, 2008 10:12 AM PST reply actions

Great Hire

Sounds like we got another good coach…

Stan Hasiak has a solid verbal with Norm Chow and UCLA, I hope you are right and we can get him…

by caineman on Dec 15, 2008 10:23 AM PST reply actions

I'm jazzed about the OC hire

!!!

My school pride is a little hurt that Rocky Seto’s been mulling over his DC offer for so long. It’s a promotion and a pay grade that Michalczik summed up nicely as “too good to turn down.”

Either he doesn’t like the idea of living in Seattle or he’s already accepted quietly and it’s the one hiring that hasn’t already leaked.

Our leather lungs together...

by attakid117 on Dec 15, 2008 2:27 PM PST reply actions

So far so good

Looks like Sark is getting a passing grade so far. I’m dying to know who the D-coordinator is going to be and the type of defense he’s going to run.

"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"

by Lear Pilot on Dec 15, 2008 4:08 PM PST reply actions

I wonder...

…how long Sark is going to give Rocky Seto to make up his mind? Is this decision going to be made/announced after the Rosebowl?

by doubledeucedawg on Dec 15, 2008 4:27 PM PST up reply actions

considering that Seto hasnt taken the job yet and there are no other coaches being rumored..

whats going on here??? Shouldnt there be at least a fall back plan?

by bigdave967 on Dec 15, 2008 7:11 PM PST reply actions

I’ve seen is reported that Rocky Long may be another option.

by kirkd on Dec 15, 2008 7:40 PM PST up reply actions

Seto?

I think whatever direction they are moving in will come out at the Tuesday press conference.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 15, 2008 7:17 PM PST reply actions

Money

By paying Sarkisian less money than an experieced big name coach, the money guy’s have a few extra bucks to pay for top assistant coaches. I hate going back to the Don James years for past examples, but when he won he always had great coaches around him.

by huskyslut on Dec 15, 2008 8:05 PM PST reply actions

I think DJ’s base was a little over $45,000 when he started.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 15, 2008 10:38 PM PST reply actions

I really hate you guys

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Dec 16, 2008 1:20 PM PST reply actions

Sorry man. We have to do what we have to do to get back to winning. I’m sure Tedford has enough pull in the college football world to get a good replacement.

by kirkd on Dec 16, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions

Any New Coaching is Better Than What Was Here Under Ty

The bottom line is, any new coaching will be an improvement over what was here. Ty and is stuff are the only ones in which players were worse on game 12 than they were on game 1. Jake and the rest of the team will finally have quality college level coaching and the improvement that comes with that.

by astanfi on Dec 17, 2008 5:20 PM PST reply actions