Justin Wilcox, Tosh Lupoi buyouts are obstacle for USC

USC wants Washington Huskies defensive assistant coaches Justin Wilcox and Tosh Lupoi to join Steve Sarkisian’s staff, but their buyouts at Washington remain an obstacle.

Wilcox, who has served as Washington defensive coordinator the past two seasons following stints at Tennessee and Boise State, has a $1 million buyout. Lupoi, who is a defensive line coach and considered one of the best recruiters in the country, has a $400,000 buyout.

LA Daily News USC football reporter Scott Wolf says the Trojans will pay $400,000 for Lupoi’s buyout, but they don’t want to pay a million for Wilcox:

#USC does not want to pay full $1 million buyout for #Washington DC Justin Wilcox but willing to pay $400,000 buyout for Tosh Lopoi

— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) December 4, 2013

Wilcox is said to be a candidate to replace Sarkisian as the Huskies’ head coach, but there are a few bad signs. For one, the Huskies interviewed Chris Petersen and Doug Nussmeier for the position. Two, they named Marques Tuiasosopo interim head coach for their bowl game. It sounds like they are preparing for him to leave for USC.

Huskies running backs coach Johnny Nansen, defensive backs coach Keith Heyward, and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon are among those headed to USC with Sark, as reported by Softy Mahler and Adam Jude. With Sarkisian taking half the Huskies staff with him to Los Angeles, the new Washington coach will likely bring in a bunch of new staffers.