SEATTLE, June 17 (UPI) -- The University of Washington Tuesday appointed offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson to supervise its football program.
This move was to enable the school to handle the firing of Coach Rick Neuheisel.
Neuheisel was fired Thursday for breaking NCAA rules prohibiting gambling. Neuheisel has challenged the firing and has until June 26 to respond to his letter of termination.
Gilbertson, who is expected to be given Neuheisel's job once the process is complete, has been part of his staff since 1999. Gilbertson was a head coach at California from 1992 to 1995 and at Idaho from 1986 through 1988.
The Huskies open their season on Aug. 30 against defending national champion Ohio State.
Neuheisel had admitted to entering high-stakes gambling pools during the last two NCAA men's basketball tournaments.
Neuheisel went 33-16 in four years at Washington and had five years left on his contract. Prior to coaching the Huskies, Neuheisel went 33-14 with Colorado from 1995-98.
