Weis refused to address the controversy that has swirled around Notre Dame since it fired Willingham after three seasons and a 21-15 record. The university's outgoing president, the Rev. Edward A. Malloy, criticized the decision to fire Willingham, saying he was embarrassed.
Willingham takes over a messy situation at Washington. The Huskies went 1-10 last season, their worst record ever, and in October the NCAA put the university on probation until February 2007 after an investigation into the athletic department and the football program.
Willingham signed a five-year deal worth US$1.4 million a year, with the potential for US$600,000 annually in bonuses.
Willingham is familiar with the Pac-10 Conference; he coached Stanford from 1995 to 2001, compiling a record of 44-36-1 and leading the Cardinal to its first Rose Bowl appearance in 28 years.
He is one of three African-American coaches in Division I football and the first African-American to be fired and then rehired to a Division I coaching position.
"That is honestly significant," he said. "Because I think when you're on a landscape where there have been truly limited opportunities, for one to be able to be back in the system is a very positive step."
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