SEATTLE -- Washington offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson was appointed Tuesday to supervise the football program while coach Rick Neuheisel's termination process is completed.

Gilbertson's career highlights

Head coaching experience (48-35) 1992-95: California Golden Bears 20-26 record as Cal's head coach 1993 team defeated Iowa 37-3 in Alamo Bowl for Cal's last bowl win 1986-88: Idaho Vandals 28-9 record as Idaho's head coach 1987, 1988 Big Sky champions 1988 Big Sky coach of the year Assistant coaching experience 2000-02: Washington offensive coordinatior, tight ends coach 1999: Washington assistant head coach, offensive line, tight ends 1996-98: Seatle Seahawks assistant 1991: Washington offensive coordinator 1989-90: Washington offensive line coach 1985: Idaho offensive coordinator 1983-85: LA Express (USFL) assistant coach 1982: Idaho offensive coordinator 1977-81: Utah State offensive coordinator 1976: Washington graduate assistant 1975: Western Washington graduate assistant 1971-74: Idaho State graduate assistant

The announcement was made by athletic director Barbara Hedges, who said the 55-year-old Gilbertson "will be responsible for supervising the staff and overseeing daily operations of the football program" while Neuheisel is suspended.

During a news conference, Gilbertson said he hasn't been promised the job as acting or interim coach, nor does he expect to get the job permanently.

"I'm an employee of the University of Washington," Gilbertson said. "They've assigned me a job to do and I'm going to do it the best I can. Where that takes us or takes me, I have no idea."

Gilbertson was the head coach at California from 1992-95 and Idaho from 1986-88. He has been Washington's offensive coordinator since 2000 and part of Neuheisel's staff since 1999.

Hedges announced last week that Neuheisel will be fired for violating NCAA rules against gambling by his participation in NCAA basketball tournament pools in 2002 and 2003.

She also said Neuheisel wasn't forthcoming with NCAA investigators when initially questioned.

Coaches aren't allowed to gamble on college sports under NCAA rules.

Neuheisel has challenged his firing, and has until June 26 to respond to his letter of termination. Hedges said she will fill the vacated head coaching position at ``the resolution of the termination process."

"As we proceed through this process, it is necessary to have a member of the current staff coordinate the efforts of the football department and Keith has agreed to serve in that capacity," Hedges said in a statement.

The termination process, as outlined in Neuheisel's contract, could last weeks. Hedges will consider Neuheisel's response to his firing -- which he has yet to file -- and issue a written decision.

If Neuheisel disagrees with her findings, he could appeal to university Vice President Norm Arkans. His decision would end the matter within the school, though Neuheisel's attorneys have suggested a court challenge is possible.

Neuheisel's legal team issued a response late Tuesday welcoming Gilbertson's appointment, saying the action "gives us time to correct the mistaken allegations made against coach Neuheisel."

Gilbertson will be keeping busy, too.

Fall practice is just over one month away, the coaching staff is coordinating a high school camp this weekend and the Huskies open Aug. 30 at defending national champion Ohio State.

"Anytime you think you've seen it all in this business, you're about to see something you haven't seen before," Gilbertson said. "We have a game in 70-something days. We're working on playbooks. We've got plenty to do."

Neuheisel maintains he didn't realize he was breaking NCAA rules by gambling in a pool with friends and neighbors. He has defended himself with a department memo that says off-campus pools are acceptable.

Neuheisel reportedly wagered a combined $6,400 over the two-year span and won about $12,000.

Since last week's news conference where Hedges announced Neuheisel's firing, it was disclosed that Gilbertson participated in a $3 NCAA basketball tournament pool inside the football office in 1999.

Hedges has said it wouldn't affect Gilbertson's candidacy as a potential interim coach. Gilbertson acknowledged the matter isn't resolved and said he couldn't recall details.

"I'm not throwing that out as an excuse," he said. "Do I regret doing it? Let's just say I did it and leave it at that."