Tyrone Willingham is Going to Step Down at the End of the Season

I guess you could file this under "breaking news that makes total sense." Head football coach Tyrone Willingham of Washington announced that he will step down at the end of the 2008, pending a bowl game berth*.

The Huskies have struggled this season, dropping to 0-7 after the 33-7 slaughtering at the hands of Notre Dame on Saturday. Willingham has dropped to 11-32 in his four year stint with Washington after coming over from the Irish. The Associated Press report lays out the struggle fairly blatantly.

Willingham has been under fire for being unable to turn around the Washington program....Washington currently has a nine-game losing streak dating back to last season, tied with North Texas for the longest in the country.

The numbers get worse for the Huskies. Washington is currently ranked 108th in the country in total offense and 116th in total defense.

Washington Athletic Director Scott Woodward did not name a replacement at the press conference today, but did say he wasn't planning on switching coaches during the middle of the season.

Woodward has said he did not want to change coaches during the middle of the season. But he said Monday's announcement ends speculation of what is going to happen with Willingham and lets the team focus on the final five games.

Willingham will most likely find another home to set up shop. He took a Notre Dame team in his first season as head coach to the Gator Bowl after a 10-3 season and won just about every coach of the year award possible. Since that year, however, Willingham has yet to have a winning season.

It doesn't get any easier for the head coach in his remaining days at Washington. The Huskies travel to Los Angeles for a battle with No. 5 Southern California this Saturday.

* = Okay, maybe not