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Boise State head coach Chris Petersen rarely listens to offers from other schools, but according to the Seattle Times he is a "top target" alongside Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier for the Washington Huskies vacancy. It clearly seems that Petersen is possibly doing more than just willing to listen to what Washington has to say.
The key phrase is "target," meaning that Petersen and Nussmeier are who Washington wants the most, and the article notes that it is "unclear if Petersen would leave Boise" for Washington. There is no word from anywhere else saying that Petersen has interviewed, will interview or even talked to anyone from Washington; not like that information would leak out but it is important to note that has not yet happened.
Washington of course would love to have Petersen and his 92-12 record as the Boise State head coach to replace Steve Sarkisian who recently left to take the head coaching job at USC. These two schools are familiar with each other as they played in the 2012 Las Vegas Bowl where Boise State won 28-26, and this year Washington opened up their renovated Husky Stadium to crush the Broncos 38-6. Petersen's contract requires a $750,000 buyout -- which Washington should easily be able to afford -- and this year took home $2.2 million.
Nussmeier has ties to Washington as he was Washington's offensive coordinator from 2009-11 under Sarkisian, and reports have said he is interested in the Washington job. Having ties and reported interest is something that has not come from Petersen, at least not yet.
One other positive note for Boise State fans is that Washington has named quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo the interim head coach for the Huskies bowl game. That possibly means that Washington is willing to take their time in naming a permanent head coach, and Tuiasosopo's interview was probably to see that he was capable to handle the head coaching duties and not a viable long term option.
