the game because it offered an opportunity to increase visibility to recruits in the region as well earn Idaho $600,000 for the appearance. However, despite a contract that ran through 2008, Holt departed after two seasons to return to USC, 19 months before the game was played. USC When former Idaho quarterback and alumnus Scott Linehan became head coach of the NFL's St. Louis Rams in January 2006, he offered Holt a position as his defensive line coach. The two had coached together under Smith at both Idaho and Louisville. Deciding to make a move before his children entered high school, Holt resigned as head coach from Idaho on February 6, 2006, to take the position with the Rams. This occurred just five days after signing 20 new players to Idaho on national letter of intent day. After hearing the news, USC head coach Pete Carroll offered his former assistant more money and the position of defensive coordinator. A day later, Holt declined the offer from the Rams (estimated at $320,000 annually, he had not signed a contract) to return to USC, and took over defensive coordinator responsibilities from Carroll. Holt signed a three-year contract exceeding $1.4 million. His second tour at USC also lasted three seasons, while the Trojans posted a 34–5 record (). Washington In December 2008, USC Trojans offensive coordinator and colleague Steve Sarkisian was hired as the head coach of the Washington Huskies in Seattle. Sarkisian and Holt coached their final game with the Trojans, the Rose Bowl, on January 1, 2009. Though it meant moving the family while the children were in high school, on January 5, 2009, Holt accepted the position of defensive coordinator at Washington, taking over for Ed Donatell, who was not retained by Sarkisian. Holt signed a three-year contract valued at $2.1 million. At the end of Holt's second season at UW in 2010, the Husky defense appeared improved as the team went on a three-game winning streak to finish the regular season and become bowl-eligible, capped with a 19–7 victory over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. 2011 season While 2011 saw the emergence of sophomore quarterback Keith Price and improvement on offense, the Huskies were ranked near the bottom in the conference and nationally on defense (of 120 FBS teams: 106th in yards allowed, 108th in points allowed, 116th in passing yards allowed). Washington broke to an early 5–1 record