University of Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt, linebackers coach Mike Cox, and secondary and safeties coach Jeff Mills will not be retained on the UW football staff, effective immediately, head coach Steve Sarkisian announced today.

All three coaches have been members of the staff since Sarkisian became head coach in 2009. A national search for their replacements will begin immediately.

“I want to thank Nick Holt, Mike Cox, and Jeff Mills for their hard work and dedication throughout the last three years,” Sarkisian said. “They were instrumental in the leadership and development of countless young men, and they have left our program in a better place. I am grateful for their service to our program and to the University of Washington and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

Sarkisian and UW officials will have no further comment on this matter at this time. Department officials will be scheduling Sarkisian’s end-of-year teleconference within the next few weeks.