Ex-Raiders coach Kiffin interested in Washington job

SEATTLE -- Ex-Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has expressed interest in the opening at the University of Washington just hours after the school announced Tyrone Willingham will not return next season.

"The University of Washington is a great job, one that I'm sure a lot of people have an interest in," Kiffin told the Associated Press while watching Monday Night Football at his home in the Bay Area.

It came open for 2009 on Monday afternoon when Washington announced Willingham's dismissal, effective at the end of this season.

Kiffin spent six years as an assistant in the Pac-10 with Southern California, the last two as the Trojans' offensive coordinator, before becoming the Raiders coach in January 2007.

Washington athletic director Scott Woodward said he would likely begin the search for Willingham's replacement soon.

When asked if he might name a new coach before this season ends, Woodward said, "I would not rule that out."

Naming a successor before Washington's season finale at California on Dec. 6 would be a large step toward salvaging what is potentially a lost recruiting class this winter for the Huskies.