Posted by ESPN.com’s Ted Miller

Washington will announce its new defensive coordinator today at 3 p.m. (PDT), but multiple reports said that Steve Sarkisian has convinced USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt to follow him to Seattle.

Here’s a short story on why Holt might take a pay cut to leave the Trojans.

The “why” is simple: Holt wasn’t widely viewed as the guy running USC’s touted defense — that was Pete Carroll.

If Holt wants another shot at a head coaching job — something other than a dead end like Idaho — he needs to earn more kudos for his Xs and Os talents.

Plus, if he helps lead Washington out of the dregs that will be a huge resume highlight.