Nick Holt has been fired by the University of Washington Huskies. Aside from sacking the defensive coordinator, the Huskies also canned linebackers coach Mike Cox and secondary/safeties coach Jeff Mills.

The three coaches will not be a part of the team's 2012 season.

On Friday, footballscoop.com reported the news. Then, the Huskies confirmed it on Saturday.

I want to thank Nick Holt, Mike Cox, and Jeff Mills for their hard work and dedication throughout the last three years. 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, stated Head Coach Steve Sarkisian.

When asked about his next move after his was fired, Nick Holt replied: gotta go out and find a job, reported SB Nation.

Earlier, Holt said he absolutely expected to return to the 2012 season, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.

So why were the defensive coaches fired? The most obvious guess is the Huskies' poor defense.

On Thursday, the Huskies gave up a record 67 points, 777 yards, and nine touchdowns against the Baylor Bears in the Alamo Bowl, according to NBC Sports. For the year, the Huskies' defense ranked 107th, according to SB Nation, and was the worst in Huskies' history, according to Condotta.

So did Holt, Cox and Mills deserve to be fired? Vote in poll below.