Hill, Leach no longer seeking UW job

Fresno State coach Pat Hill and Texas Tech's Mike Leach have withdrawn from consideration for the head coaching job at Washington.

Texas Tech said it was still working on getting coach Mike Leach a new contract to keep him from going to Washington, or anywhere else.

Leach removed himself from the list, said a source close to Leach who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the withdrawal.

Hill acknowledged in a statement released Thursday by Fresno State that he had interviewed with UW officials Saturday in Seattle, a day after the Bulldogs lost their regular-season finale at Boise State.

Hill wanted a decision from the Huskies before he led the Bulldogs back to practice to prepare for their ninth bowl appearance in 10 seasons. But he said Washington officials told him they weren't yet ready to announce their replacement for fired coach Tyrone Willingham.

"I had a great visit with the leadership at the University of Washington and I have a great deal of respect for them and their vision," Hill said. "Because of the time frame we discussed, which is that I needed an answer by Wednesday, it's apparent that I'm not their top candidate. I felt it was in my best interest and the best interest of our team to make this decision at this time. I wish them the best of luck in their search. ... I appreciate their consideration.

"At this time, it's in the best interest of my players and the Fresno State program that I withdraw from consideration and put my full attention on preparing for a bowl game and getting our team ready for the 2009 season."

Hill, the dean of coaches in the Western Athletic Conference, is 92-60 in 12 seasons at Fresno State, which on Thursday accepted a bid to play in the third annual New Mexico Bowl.

He said he was impressed with what Washington, the only winless major college team in the nation this season, is trying to do to revive its program.

"Whoever gets the Washington job will have a great challenge but also a great opportunity," Hill said. "They have great support and tradition there and are making a serious commitment to restoring that program. As they move through their hiring process, they have made it clear that they are not ready to hire a coach at this time and I can't keep my players or our staff hanging on.

"We are building a very good recruiting class that I'm really excited about and that's a huge consideration, too."

Meanwhile, Auburn's wish-list to replace Tommy Tuberville includes Leach.

Two Seattle newspapers had reported Leach was flying to the city Thursday for a second interview with Washington. But Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers told The Associated Press he had called across the street to Leach's campus office in Lubbock and was told the coach was there early Thursday afternoon.

Myers repeated what he had said a day before, that Texas Tech is negotiating with Leach on a contract extension that would keep him with the Red Raiders.

Leach could not immediately be reached on his cell phone.

The Los Angeles Daily News, quoting sources, reported Wednesday that Steve Sarkisian, the assistant head coach at Southern California, also had interviewed for the Washington job.

---

AP Sports Writers Janie McCauley in San Francisco and Gregg Bell in Seattle contributed to this report.