Wilcox is a good coach who I'd expect to land somewhere just below where Petersen had the program. I think he's es relatively low risk in that I can't picture him failing to win 8-10 games per year at UW. Better than Sark and light years better than Lake. Not good enough though. That's really the risk with him...satisfactory mediocrity. It's a big risk too.
Do better. It's time for UW to branch out and bring in someone new. Be the program that launches a career for a hungry, promising young coach who has to prove that he deserved the promotion.
I'd have a hard time saying no to Tedford though. I know he fizzled at Cal but it took him one season to turn their recruiting around and make them the primary threat to USC in the conference. He's tanned, rested and ready. He might top out like Wilcox or burn out quickly again, but I'd bet anything he'd get the program on track.