Report: Washington coach Steve Sarkisian interviewed with USC

Steve Sarkisian was an assistant on Pete Carroll's staff at USC for seven seasons. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Former USC assistant Steve Sarkisian interviewed with Trojans athletic director Pat Haden this weekend for the school's head coaching job, a source told Brett McMurphy and Joe Schad of ESPN.

Schad reported Sunday that Boise State coach Chris Petersen and Vanderbilt coach James Franklin were the top candidates for the opening. But on Monday, Petersen reportedly withdrew from consideration. Schad reported that the job may be filled as soon as the middle of the week.

The 39-year-old Sarkisian, who is 34-29 in five seasons at Washington, was a USC assistant from 2001-03 and 2005-08. He was the quarterbacks coach of the Raiders in 2004.

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With Sarkisian on the staff, Pete Carroll's USC teams were 74-15, including 22-3 with Sarkisian as the offensive coordinator. Sarkisian also mentored Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

Franklin, 41, is 23-15 with Vanderbilt, including 8-4 this year.

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