Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian is starting from scratch, assembling a new staff that will include no holdovers from among coach Tyrone Willingham’s assistants.

“It just worked out that way,” Sarkisian said. “… I went through what had gone on in Coach Willingham’s reign and what had gone on with that staff, what I wanted to get accomplished, and the type of people I was looking for for specific positions (and decided) it was the right thing to do. Only time will tell, but I think we’re bringing in the right kind of people to get this thing turned around in the direction we want it to go.”

On Tuesday, Sarkisian introduced his first three assistant coaches, along with other support personnel.

The new coaches are:

 • Jim Michalczik, offensive coordinator: Michalczik has spent the last six seasons at California, where he was assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He has also worked at Oregon State, Montana State and Miami (Fla.), and he played at Port Angeles High and Washington State.

 • Johnny Nansen, special teams coach and other defensive duties to be determined: Another former WSU player, he spent the past five seasons as an Idaho assistant, working with the linebackers, defensive line and special teams.

 • Demetrice Martin, secondary coach: A 2007 graduate assistant at USC, he spent last season as an assistant coach at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. The team went 12-2 and played in the state championship game.

Sarkisian said he needed all of his own recruiting skills to lure Michalczik away from Jeff Tedford’s successful Cal program.

“I had a lot of selling myself being a new head coach, selling the commitment the university has to the football program and where we’re headed,” Sarkisian said. “But I think he was intrigued initially, and that intrigue led to excitement and that’s why he’s here. … I think he realizes this is a great opportunity to be part of something special.”

Sarkisian intends to retain the play-calling responsibilities but said there will be plenty left for Michalczik to do with the offense: the day-to-day operation, meetings, and working with Sarkisian on game plans.

“I’m going to rely on him heavily,” Sarkisian said. “I trust what he’s done. I think Cal’s had a thousand-yard rusher almost every year he’s been there, so he knows how to run the football. Their numbers in sacks have been the lowest in the conference year in and year out. I like what he’s done. It wasn’t much of an interview because his résumé is on film for the last seven years at Cal, and what he’s done at Oregon State.”

Sarkisian also announced that he has brought in three support personnel from USC: Ivan Lewis as strength and conditioning coach, Charr Gahagan as assistant strength coach, and Jared Blank as director of player personnel.

Sarkisian said he expects to announce more additions to his staff in about a week. He said he has “a couple of guys in the works” for the defensive coordinator job after receiving word that USC assistant Rocky Seto had decided to remain with the Trojans.

Extra points

Michalczik has a three-year contract that will pay him $350,000 annually. Nansen ($110,000 salary) and Martin $100,000) agreed to two-year deals. Martin and Nansen already are on the road recruiting. Michalczik will handle in-state recruiting, a familiar area because Washington was among his territories while at Cal. … Sarkisian said he has met with most returning players and his primary impression is their hunger to begin winning. … He also said some of those players will be shifted to new positions – some with excitement, some with reluctance. … He said he allowing linebacker E.J. Savannah back onto the team is part of his stated policy that all players will begin with a clean slate.

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