LOS ANGELES — USC's coaching staff, already in a state of flux on offense, will change next season on defense as well.

New Washington Coach Steve Sarkisian, USC's former offensive coordinator, on Monday said Trojans defensive coordinator Nick Holt would join his staff.

Holt, 46, will become the Huskies' defensive coordinator and will also have the title of assistant head coach.

"It's official," Sarkisian said by phone from Seattle, where an afternoon news conference to announce Holt's hiring was rescheduled until Tuesday. "We're getting a great coach and a great recruiter."

Neither Holt nor USC Coach Pete Carroll could be reached for comment.

Holt has been USC's defensive coordinator for three seasons. He was a member of Carroll's first staff, serving as linebackers coach for three seasons, then left to become head coach at Idaho in 2004.

After going 5-18 in two seasons at Idaho, Holt had accepted a job as an assistant with the St. Louis Rams in 2006 when Carroll coaxed him back to USC as defensive coordinator.

Terms of Holt's deal with Washington were not announced, but one reason that post could be more attractive to him than the USC position is that he will have more control. Carroll, who served as his own defensive coordinator from 2001-2005, still has a great deal of influence over that unit. The Trojans finished the 2008 regular-season schedule ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense.

Holt is the fourth USC coach or administrative staff member hired by Sarkisian, joining Dennis Slutak, director of football operations; Jared Blank, director of player personnel, and Demetrice Martin, a former graduate assistant who will coach Huskies defensive backs.

Holt initially turned down overtures to join Washington's staff after Sarkisian was hired as Tyrone Willingham's successor in December. But when USC secondary coach Rocky Seto declined an offer to become the Huskies' defensive coordinator, Sarkisian once again pursued Holt.

"It's been ongoing," Sarkisian said. "I didn't want to do anything until after the (Rose Bowl)."

Seto, 32, is regarded as a top candidate to replace Holt as Trojans defensive coordinator.

Seto has been on USC's staff since 1999 when he was a volunteer assistant under Paul Hackett. He has coached linebackers and defensive backs under Carroll.

Linebackers coach Ken Norton also could figure in the coordinator equation as Carroll reconfigures his staff.

Carroll, who has repeatedly talked about the importance of continuity, promoted receivers coach John Morton to replace Sarkisian as offensive coordinator. Carl Smith is expected to rejoin the staff as quarterbacks coach, possibly by the end of this week. But Carroll has not yet announced who will call plays next season.