Washington to hire Chris Peterson

— -- Boise State coach Chris Petersen is expected to be named head coach of the Washington Huskies on Friday, according to a source.

Petersen will be one of the highest paid coaches in the Pac-12.

Petersen, who has turned down other job offers but he is ready for a new challenge, the source said.

Washington was previously to interview Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier on Thursday and scheduled to meet Friday with Petersen, a source said.

The Huskies are seeking a replacement for Steve Sarkisian, who left for USC.

Petersen, who is 92-12 at Boise State since 2006, was a candidate for the Huskies job in 2009 before Washington hired Sarkisian. He also had been linked to openings at USC and UCLA.

Boise State slipped to an 8-4 mark this season, including a loss to Washington.

Nussmeier was the offensive coordinator at Washington under Sarkisian from 2009 to 2011 before being lured away by Nick Saban. In Nussmeier's two seasons at Alabama, the Crimson Tide have averaged almost 39 points a game.

On Thursday,  Missouri coach Gary Pinkel withdrew his name from consideration. The former Washington assistant told "Mike and Mike" on ESPN Radio, "I'm a Missouri Tiger, and I'm going to stay a Missouri Tiger."

Ted Miller of ESPN.com contributed to this report.