Jedd Fisch (Getty images)
Jedd Fisch is set to take the helm as the new football head coach at Washington, as officially announced by the school on Sunday.
Fisch’s Journey to Washington
Washington’s athletic director, Troy Dannen, engaged Fisch in a second interview over the weekend and reportedly honed in on the former Arizona coach as the top choice. Sources revealed that Fisch was the sole candidate to progress to a second interview, following Kalen DeBoer’s departure for Alabama.
Key Moments in the Hiring Process
According to ESPN sources, Arizona held meetings where Fisch announced his move to Washington during a 6 p.m. ET staff meeting and a subsequent 6:30 p.m. team meeting. Following these meetings, Fisch and his family journeyed to Washington for discussions with the Huskies around 11:30 p.m. ET, according to a reliable source.
Fisch’s Vision and Determination
Before departing Arizona, Fisch recorded a video that Washington posted on social media. He ended the video telling Huskies fans: “Let’s go get that championship we’ve been talking about.”
Contract Details and Financials
Washington will hold an introductory news conference with Fisch on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET.
“We wanted to move quickly but thoroughly, and sought out a coach who would build on our foundation, bring energy to the program, has a track record of success, is an elite recruiter and was someone who young men wanted to play for.” Dannen said in a news release. “We found all of those characteristics and more in Jedd Fisch. It became clear through our conversations that he shares our values and our vision for UW Football, and he is the right coach at the right time.”
Fisch’s agreement with Washington spans seven years, with an annual average of $7.75 million, as reported by ESPN and confirmed by The Athletic. The school officially declared the hire in a social media post at 7:20 p.m. ET.
Sources said the buyout for Washington to extract Fisch from Arizona is $5.5 million. That is less than half of the $12 million that Washington is due to receive from DeBoer’s move to Alabama.
Impressive Coaching Background
“While we did not want to see Coach Fisch leave and made every effort to retain him by continuing our investment in the football program, we wish him the best as he begins a new chapter in his career,” Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement, adding that a national search for a coach is underway.
“As for the next steps, we have a shared vision for the program and our student-athletes. Arizona Football is well positioned for future success and championship excellence, and I am confident we will attract a new leader who will continue the positive trajectory of our nationally ranked football program.”
Fisch stood out among the candidates for several reasons, sources said. He brings experience building a program in the Big Ten, having served as Michigan’s offensive coordinator in 2015 and 2016.
Furthermore, Fisch worked as the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 under Pete Carroll, the NFL team’s longstanding coach who recently exited that position. Brennan Carroll, Pete’s son, currently serves as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in Arizona.
At 47, Fisch brings a wealth of college and professional experience. He has been an offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, a quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots, and a college football offensive coordinator for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, as well as at Miami and UCLA.
Fisch’s standout performance came in the recent season at Arizona, concluding with a seven-game winning streak, a 10-3 record, and a decisive victory over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Impact on Washington’s Players
Washington will closely monitor the development of quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, two emerging talents fostered under Fisch’s coaching.
Washington’s decision-makers were particularly impressed by Fisch’s recruiting prowess at a high level and his familiarity with West Coast recruiting.
“The unbelievable success of the Huskies the last two seasons demonstrates what UW is capable of.” Fisch said in his introductory news release. “And I cannot wait to compete for Big Ten and national championships with tremendous young men and an outstanding coaching staff that we will assemble.”
This report used information from ESPN.
