After years of spurning opportunities from college football's most prominent programs, Boise State head coach Chris Petersen finally gave in. Early Friday morning, Petersen accepted the Washington Huskies head coaching job.
Washington wasn’t always Peterson’s first choice. Petersen was scheduled to interview for the USC job, but withdrew his name from consideration before Steve Sarkisian took the job. Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier was also considered a favorite to land the gig.
Speculation was rampant that that Petersen, a California native, would have taken the USC job if offered, but Washington is probably the next best fit. In many quarters, Petersen might be considered an upgrade from Sarkisian. Considered one of the brightest offensive minds in football, his Broncos compiled the best winning percentage of any program during his eight years in charge.
However, the situation at Boise State changed in recent years in the aftermath of conference realignment, the demise of the Big East in addition to its automatic BCS bid, a conference which Boise State was expected to join, TCU's departure to the Big 12, BYU going independent and the dissolution of the BCS.
Boise State's 8-4 season was the worst record of Peterson's Boise career and a sign that he'd better bolt while his stock was high and the Broncos brand remained intact.
