Willingham joins Washington; Notre Dame to visit Sept. 24

SEATTLE -- Tyrone Willingham opened a box and found a golden whistle, a gift from Washington president Mark Emmert and athletic director Todd Turner. He slipped it around his neck and blew a shrill chirp.

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Just like that, Willingham was back to work.

"I thought the first order of business should be to test it, just to make sure it was as true as I knew it would be," Willingham explained Monday in his first remarks as Washington's new coach.

Two weeks ago, Willingham was fired after going 21-15 in three seasons at Notre Dame -- the first full-time Fighting Irish coach in 70 years who was not allowed to finish his first contract.

A few hours before Willingham was introduced at Washington, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis officially replaced him at Notre Dame.

Washington plays host to Notre Dame on Sept. 24. Willingham and the Fighting Irish beat Washington 38-3 this season.

Tyrone Willingham begins his tenure as Washington coach. (AP)

"Am I aware Notre Dame is on the schedule?" Willingham asked, breaking into a playful smile. "I am, but that will not be the focus. With the years of experience I have in this game, I know the most important game is the next game. We open with Air Force."

Willingham agreed to a five-year deal worth $1.43 million in guaranteed annual salary, with $600,000 in incentives that could boost it to $2 million annually. His base pay is $425,000.

The Huskies believe Willingham can restore the school's sagging football program to national prominence and clean up a mess left by an ugly divorce with former coach Rick Neuheisel, who was fired in July 2003 for gambling on NCAA basketball.

Washington is coming off a 1-10 season under Keith Gilbertson, the worst record in school history. Willingham is the Huskies' third coach in four years.

"It's about time we had a clean start," safety C.J. Wallace said. "I came in with coach Neuheisel, and I really wanted to play for him. Then that happened, and coach Gilbertson happened. I think this could be a chance to be the right one."

Emmert and Turner praised Willingham for his integrity and reputation for discipline, saying it was important to find a coach whose teams succeed academically and fit within the university's overall mission.

His ties to the West Coast helped, too. Willingham was 44-36-1 with a Rose Bowl appearance at Stanford from 1995-2001.