Some will say there are 2.1 million reasons why Nick Holt left USC for the University of Washington.

But Holt says there are even more reasons than that.

Yes, there is UW’s groundbreaking contract, which will pay him $2.1 million over his next three seasons as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

But in addition to that, Holt said he also was ready for a new challenge and wants to call his own defenses, out of USC coach Pete Carroll’s shadow. He said he loves the Northwest, respects the University of Washington, and wants to be a part of what head coach Steve Sarkisian is building.

“He is the best offensive mind in college football without a doubt, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Holt said Tuesday at his introductory press conference. “I knew he’d be a head coach someday, and it’s very fortunate that the powers that be here at the University of Washington saw this guy, because he’s a rising star. And I wanted to be a part of that. This is an awesome place. This is the only other school in the Pac-10 that’s won a national championship in the last 25 years: this place and the University of Southern California. This place has awesome alumni, it has awesome tradition, it has awesome people like you, and this is a sleeping giant.”

Actually, that’s only part of Holt’s answer. And that transcription omits all the exclamation points. Holt is a man who talks in exclamation points, and that’s one of the key reasons Sarkisian picked him to energize UW’s downtrodden defense.

“He’s an intense guy, a fiery guy,” Sarkisian said. “You are going to feel him on the practice field, feel him on game day. He’s aggressive with an in-your-face-attitude. But at the end of the day, he’s a great teacher, and that’s what we need to get these guys to do the right thing. He’s a tremendous presence on the football field.”

Sarkisian said Holt was his first choice for defensive coordinator. And he felt strongly enough to add the title of assistant head coach, and to make him by far the highest-paid assistant in school history.

Holt will receive $600,000 in the first year, $650,000 in the second and third, plus a $200,000 retention bonus that would be forfeited if he leaves before the end of the contract.

He was paid about $500,000 at USC, and Carroll offered a raise to try to keep him. However, he ended up at UW with a contract that exceeds even that of one Pacific-10 Conference head coach: Washington State’s Paul Wulff, who receives about $600,000 per season.

“Any time you’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, it’s significant,” UW athletic director Scott Woodward said. “I’ve been paying attention to the market pretty well. ... The top coordinators in the country are making big figures. So, I had an idea that to get the best, you’re going to have to pay.”

Holt’s 2008 Trojans ranked No. 1 in the Football Bowl Subdivision regular season in total defense, scoring defense, pass defense and pass-efficiency defense, and fifth in rushing defense. They shut out three opponents – including Washington – and held eight opponents to seven or fewer points.

At UW, Holt inherits a defense that ranked 110th or worse among 119 FBS teams in total defense, scoring defense, pass-efficiency defense and rushing defense.

“We need to get those numbers down to be successful in the Pac-10,” he said. “... The bottom line is we can’t give up big, easy plays over our head, easy cheap TDs, stuff like that, and we have to get the ball back for (our offense). So, create turnovers – that’s where it all starts, it really does – effort. And we need to recruit. ... But those numbers have to improve - obviously.”

Holt plans to run the same defensive system he ran at USC, and he plans to conduct practices the same way – meaning there will be lots of hitting and tackling throughout the season.

He said he understands there was more talent on the USC roster. But he believes these Huskies are as eager to turn things around as he is.

“We know these kids – they’re starving,” he said. “They’re starving for attention, starving for some enthusiasm, starving to have fun in life, man. Let’s go!”

Don Ruiz: 253-597-8808

blogs.thenewstribune.com/uwsports

Jolt of Holt

Nick Holt’s UW contract will pay him $2.1 million over three years – $600,000 for 2009, $650,000 in 2010 and 2011, plus a $200,000 bonus paid up front that Holt must repay a portion of if he leaves early.

Three-year salary average

Nick Holt,

UW def coordinator, $700,000

Paul Wulff,

WSU head coach, $600,000

Jim Michalczik,

UW off. coordinator, $350,000 the NICK HOLT file

Born: Oct. 15, 1962.

Hometown: San Jose, Calif.

College: Pacific (1986).

Playing: Pacific, 4-year letterman linebacker.

Coaching: 1988-89: UNLV/linebackers; 1990-97: Idaho/defensive line/defensive coordinator/linebackers; 1998-2000: Louisville/defensive line; 2001-03: USC/linebackers; 2004-05: Idaho/head coach (5-18); 2006-07: USC/defensive coordinator/defensive line.