On Sunday, Jedd Fisch was officially named the new head football coach at the University of Washington, following a thorough selection process led by athletic director Troy Dannen. The decision came after Fisch stood out during a second interview this weekend, becoming the sole candidate to progress to this stage after the initial round of calls in the aftermath of Kalen DeBoer’s departure to Alabama.
Sources revealed that Arizona held crucial meetings where Fisch announced his move to Washington, setting the stage for his journey to meet with the Huskies late at night. Before embarking on this journey, Fisch recorded a video in Arizona, expressing his commitment to Washington and urging Huskies fans to join the pursuit of the championship they’ve been aspiring to.
Washington wasted no time in sealing the deal, offering Fisch a seven-year contract with an annual average of $7.75 million. The announcement was made on social media at 7:20 p.m. ET, with an official introductory news conference scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET.
In a news release, Dannen outlined the criteria that led to Fisch’s selection, emphasizing qualities such as building on the program’s foundation, bringing energy, a track record of success, elite recruiting skills, and the ability to inspire young players. Fisch’s alignment with the values and vision for UW Football made him the ideal choice.
Fisch’s departure from Arizona comes with a $5.5 million buyout, significantly less than the $12 million due to Washington following DeBoer’s move to Alabama. Arizona Athletic Director Dave Heeke acknowledged Fisch’s departure and expressed confidence in the positive trajectory of their football program, emphasizing a shared vision for future success.
Fisch’s extensive experience played a pivotal role in his selection, having served as Michigan’s offensive coordinator in the Big Ten and worked with the Seattle Seahawks and various NFL teams. His coaching journey includes stints as an offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots, and college offensive coordinator roles at Michigan, Miami, and UCLA.
The highlight of Fisch’s coaching career came in the past season at Arizona, where he orchestrated a remarkable seven-game winning streak, concluding with a dominant victory over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl, finishing the season with a 10-3 record.
Two standout talents, quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, thrived under Fisch’s guidance at Arizona, adding an extra layer of anticipation to their future trajectories in the wake of his departure.
Fisch’s prowess in recruiting, particularly on the West Coast, contributed to his appeal for Washington, setting the stage for a new chapter in Huskies football. In his introductory statement, Fisch expressed eagerness to compete for Big Ten and national championships, citing the recent success of the Huskies as a testament to the program’s potential.