Huskies’ Tripplett Enjoys Return to L.A.

Coming home, even for two days, is cause for Washington nose tackle Larry Tripplett to rejoice. He loves L.A.

The All-American senior has work to do first. He wants to help the Huskies to another Pacific 10 Conference championship and a bowl victory. He plans on giving the NFL a shot.

But Tripplett knows where his heart lies, even though he was ignored by USC and UCLA out of Westchester High and had to migrate to the Northwest to fulfill his potential.

“I was raised in big cities, the fast life, it’s just the Hollywood lifestyle,” he told Seattle reporters this week. “I’m used to having 15 freeways, and seeing a whole bunch of cars, seeing beaches, sunshine, beautiful women.

“That is the lifestyle I am used to. I was born and raised on that. I took it for granted while I was down there.”

Tripplett is the cornerstone of a defensive front that has not allowed a rushing touchdown. He has eight tackles for loss, including two sacks.

“I went from big-time city L.A. to Seattle, which is still a major city, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not nearly what L.A. is, which is a good thing. It is a little slower pace up here,” Tripplett said.

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Phil Snow will look across the field Saturday, see John Pettas on the Washington sideline and thank his lucky stars. There but for the preference of Bob Toledo could go he.

Snow and Pettas were left without jobs last year when Arizona State fired Bruce Snyder as coach. Snow, the defensive coordinator, hooked on with UCLA.

Pettas, the offensive coordinator, couldn’t find a job despite 25 years coaching experience that includes a stint with the San Francisco 49ers. So at age 50, he became a graduate assistant at Washington and is coaching receivers in exchange for a scholarship. Yes, he is enrolled, working toward what would be his second graduate degree.