Coach's Q&a: Steve Sarkisian

SI: You moved from sunny Southern California to not-so-sunny Washington. What has been the biggest lifestyle adjustment?

SS: I think Seattleites tell people it rains a lot because they don't want everyone to move up here. When I'm taking my boat to work and going across Lake Washington and it's a beautiful 75 degrees....

SI: You take your boat to work?

SS: I've got a 27-foot Cobalt that I take right across Lake Washington and dock in front of my office. It's a unique experience.

SI: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED IN YOUR FIRST YEAR AS A HEAD COACH?

SS: THE ABILITY TO NOT MICROMANAGE AND ALLOW COACHES TO GROW IS SOMETHING THAT I EMBRACED COMING IN, BUT I CAN STILL FIND AREAS IN WHICH I CAN ALLOW OUR GUYS TO DO [MORE OF] WHAT THEY DO WELL.

SI: Were there mentors you turned to?

SS: Not as much. I fell back on just trying to be who I am. I'm fortunate to have been around some great coaches. I played for a legendary coach in LaVell Edwards at BYU. I worked with Norv Turner with the Oakland Raiders. I spent seven years with Pete Carroll at SC. You take the philosophies that fit who you are and what you want your team to embody.