Huskies Fire Coach Lambright
Five days after a resounding 45-25 loss to Air Force in the Oahu Bowl, Washington fired coach Jim Lambright, who was in his 30th year with the program.
Washington completed a disappointing 6-6 season in 1998 under Lambright, its first non-winning campaign in 22 years.
"This was the most difficult decision I ever made here at the University of Washington," said Washington athletic director Barbara Hedges at a news conference. "I felt we needed a new direction and new leadership and that was a judgment call."
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Since taking over for Don James in 1993, Lambright compiled a 44-25-1 record in six years as coach. He was a former player at the school, graduated in 1965 and worked as an assistant under former Husky coaches Jim Owens and James beginning in 1969.
Lambright said he was shocked when he learned of Hodges' decision on Tuesday. He claimed he received a vote of confidence from the university just a few weeks ago.
"I was tremendously surprised and shocked by my meeting Tuesday with Barbara," he said. "My reaction to Barbara yesterday was 'Why?' and she just stated that the program needed a different direction."
The 56-year-old Lambright, a native of Everett, Wash., was one of only three current Division I coaches who had been with their current institution for 30 years. The others are Joe Paterno of Penn State and Lavell Edwards of Brigham Young.
"I'll always bleed purple and gold," added a teary-eyed Lambright. "It will always be a part of me that very few of you will ever understand. The greatest sorrow I have is that this firing affects so many people on my staff."
| "I'll always bleed purple and gold," a tearful Jim Lambright said at a press conference following his firing. (AP) |
With Lambright out, speculation will now swirl around Everett native Dennis Erickson, who was fired as coach of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks two days ago. Erickson coached for two years at Washington State and guided the Cougars to their first bowl game victory in 72 years back in 1988.
Erickson left Washington State to replace Jimmy Johnson at the University of Miami and coached the Hurricanes to national championships in 1989 and 1991. At Miami, he posted a 63-9 record and has a career college coaching record of 113-40-1.
When asked of the possibility of hiring Erickson, Hedges would only say the search for a new coach would be extensive.
"This position is open to Division I coaches and coaches presently in the NFL," said Hedges. "There are no restrictions."
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