Continuing with some quotes from Ed Donatell, UW's new defensive coordinator:

On what UW's defensive front will be: "I can't tell you that (yet). Everywhere I go, I evaluate what they have. I always think players, then plays. You want to see the pieces you have and then you want to position them where you can emphasize their strenghts. That's what we will do. First, we want to get to know them (the players). We will try to mix both packages (4-3 and 3-4) because it's harder on the offense.''

On the UW tradition: "What I want to do is hold the picture in my mind, the vision of what it has been back in the past and propell our team to it. That's my total intention to work that way. It's a special place, and all of that is part of the reason I'm back. I married into three generations of Huskies, so it's fun to come back. I also feel a level of responsbility to this university because they gave me my start and foundation as a coach.''

Donatell said he was excited to work with Tyrone Willingham, saying Willingham builds a solid foundation that makes them better when he has left than they were when he got there: "I wanted to join up (with that).''

On the fact that Willingham is perceived to be under pressure to win next season and whether that was a factor in his decision: "Absolutely not. In our generation of coaching, we live on the hot seat. If you want to be in one of those top programs, you are on the hot seat. That's the way I live being in the NFL. So not saying whether that's true or whether it isn't. All I'm saying is I'm used to any kind of pressure or anything that exists. What I think is attractive is Tyrone is a foundation guy, he makes good, solid decisions.''

On signing a two-year contract: "I don't really discuss that. I'm just more excited about the opportunity. That (two-year deals) has become more prevalent. But agaoin, it was mainly the opportunity to coach and be with this university and coaching staff.''

On existing relationships with UW assistants: "I go back aways with Chris Tormey. We were grad assistants together and I know what kind of quality coach he is. Randy Hart is another coach on our defensive staff that has been an excellent front coach. and a great Husky for a long time. I knew him coming through here different times watching players or recruiting. He has a tremendous reputation. J.D. Williams, I watched him play in the NFL so I know what a great coach he is and what a great corner. ... The main thing is it's Tyrone Willingham and the integrity he brings. He's going to be the same guy every day and give you a chance to build a foundation.''

On the staff staying the same: "All of our agreements are with the existing staff.'' He later added that as far as he knows "everything will remain the same.''

He said he met his wife while he was a GA here: "I met her at a restaurant, she was working at a restaurant in the U District somewhere down in there and we began dating. She was finishing up her fifth year. She's been a great wife on this coaching journey. To come back here and see (friends and family again) is special.''

Asked whether he'd talked with ex-Huskies he knows, he said he had a brief conversation with Lawyer Milloy and also got to know Marques Tuiasosopo last year with the Jets and "he texted me. He's excited.''

On what he does now in looking at last year: "I just watch everything to look at every player and eveluate their talent and then create a plan of success for each player. That's what I'm in the process of. What happened before, anything like that, is not important. Along with that evaluation process, I'm looking at what are the offenses that exist to defend in the Pac-10. It's very diverse right now and very well-coached, so that's where we are right now. My mind works totally in the present and how can we (get back to) the measuring stick of great Husky defenses here. I say that with great respect. There have been some great ones here.''

On his relationship with Pete Carroll: "He loves football, loves college football. He's been my strongest mentor. I worked with him six years. He's a guy who can separate competition from friendship. A special guy. I appreciate that I've been able to keep sharing ideas (with him) wherever I've been. But that will stop now. ... He has the measuring stick program right now.''

On Jim Mora: "He's very positive. He loves the Huskies. He's a Husky and he said 'you can help' so that's all I needed to know. He's very supportive.''

On having to delve back into recruiting after years of not doing it: "I know how important it is to the job. That's our draft. It's something you have to do every day, 365 days a year. That's how important it is.''

On the opener at Oregon: "From what I've watched, they are doing as good a job as anyone in the United States (in running the spread option offense). They really have it going. So we've got to get to work. ... I know people in Washington expect you to win that game. That's what our full intentions are.''