If there was any doubt about whether Steve Sarkisian is the right man to be the new UW head football coach, it might be best to forget it existed.

That’s because the now-former USC offensive coordinator silenced critics of his coordinating and coaching abilities with a huge 38-24 victory — it was 31-7 at halftime — over Penn State in the Rose Bowl last Thursday.

Sarkisian told The New York Times that he noticed Penn State blitzing early on, so he decided to let them come and throw downfield to take advantage of the defense’s weaknesses after sending players in to blitz. The result was a high-octane offense that ran all over the Nittany Lions, showcasing what kind of transformation he could make here at the UW.

The ultimate goal will be for the Huskies to be in USC’s place in a few years and with Sarkisian behind the wheel, it all seems possible.

He certainly made a good impression at his official introduction to media, boosters and fans last month, saying that he would create a recruiting wall around Washington state, go after players from California and create a new atmosphere surrounding Husky football by trying to get his players to play to their full potential.

He also understands the reality of competing next season with a team that went 0-12, but his goals aren’t farfetched.

“I don’t think it’s about ‘X’ number of wins by next year and ‘X’ number of wins the year after that,” Sarkisian said in the Don James Center, filled with curious students and fans looking to get a glimpse at the new coach. “It’s the way we play. And if we’re playing the right way of football, sooner or later we’re going to learn to win tight ball games and now those numbers may go from six wins to 10 or 11 wins.”

He’s realistic and, according to many who surround him, extremely passionate about coaching.

UW Athletic Director Scott Woodward was so enamored by Sarkisian’s passion during interviews that he used the word nearly twice in a row at one point during his official introduction.

“The passion, the expertise, the toughness, the passion, like I mentioned, and more importantly is that this guy has been a winner in every station of his life,” Woodward said. “This guy’s a winner and that’s what we wanted.”

It’s what everyone has wanted since the end of the Rick Neuheisel era — a winner.

Sarkisian is a winner and he will make the Huskies winners too. They may not make a bowl game in 2009, but soon enough we will see progress. We will see the beginning stages of a new era with our own eyes, especially come spring when everyone will be invited to watch practices and get a taste of the highly touted optimism, passion and love for the game that he will bring.

This was an impressive hire and I encourage you to sit back and enjoy the ride, because I have a feeling it will be filled with more ups than downs, more passion than ever before and a belief in finally making real progress.

Steve Sarkisian is the coach that will turn it all right back around.

Reach sports editor Allen Wagner at sports@dailyuw.com.