The University of Washington is drawing closer to naming Jedd Fisch as the next head football coach for the Huskies. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the school is in talks with Fisch, who currently serves as the head coach at Arizona. While the deal has not been finalized, ESPN reports that Fisch is the leading candidate for the position.
The search for a new coach comes less than a week after Washington played in the national championship game. The Huskies are looking to quickly fill the void left by former head coach Kalen DeBoer, who recently departed for Alabama. Athletic director Troy Dannen, in his first significant decision since taking over in October, aims to provide stability for a football program coming off its most successful season in over 30 years.
Fisch has earned praise for his work at Arizona, particularly this past season when the Wildcats finished with an impressive 10-3 record. They also secured a victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl and placed third in the Pac-12 standings. However, Arizona is facing financial challenges within its athletic department, and Fisch may see more stability and resources at Washington.
This would be Fisch's first head coaching position, as he has primarily served as an assistant coach in both college and professional football. During his three seasons with Arizona, Fisch has accumulated a record of 16-21. At 47 years old, he would become the fourth head coach for the Huskies since the 2019 season.
The expected hiring of Fisch would mark the end of a rollercoaster week for Washington. Following their defeat to Michigan in the national championship game, several key players declared for the NFL draft, including some who were thought to be considering returning for the 2024 season. Additionally, DeBoer's departure to Alabama was a significant blow to a program that was hoping for long-term stability with his hiring. However, DeBoer's success over two seasons made him an attractive candidate for the Crimson Tide job.
Whoever takes over as head coach at Washington will face the immediate challenge of stabilizing the roster and managing potential additional player departures. They will need to assemble a competitive team as the Huskies prepare to transition to the Big Ten conference next season.
The University of Washington has not made any public comments regarding the coaching search, and the negotiations with Jedd Fisch are still ongoing. However, if Fisch does become the new head coach for the Huskies, it will mark a new chapter for the football program as they aim to sustain their recent success and compete in the highly competitive Big Ten.
