The Washington Huskies announced Sunday that they have hired Jedd Fisch from the Arizona Wildcats to become their next head football coach after Kalen DeBoer left for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
DeBoer replaced Nick Saban after the seven-time national champion head coach announced his retirement. The Huskies took a few days and made the surprising decision to pry Fisch out of Tucson.
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Head coach Jedd Fisch of the Arizona Wildcats walks on the sideline during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023, in Tucson, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“It is truly an honor to join the University of Washington and do my part to continue the tradition of a historic football program and a world-class university,” Fisch said in a statement. “The Huskies' incredible success the past two seasons shows what UW is capable of and I can't wait to compete for Big Ten and national championships with tremendous young people and an exceptional coaching staff that we will assemble.”
“I am grateful to President Cauce and Troy Dannen for their confidence in me and I am thrilled to be a Husky. Our work has already begun.”
Fisch, 47, took over as Arizona's head coach after the 2020 season. He continued to improve the Wildcats each year after going 1-11 in his first season. In 2022, Arizona rose to 5-7 and then went 10-3 in 2023 and capped the year with a victory in the Alamo Bowl.
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Jedd Fisch of the Arizona Wildcats is dunked with Jacob Manu #5's Powerade during the final moments of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on November 25, 2023, in Tempe, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
He was an assistant for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. He was a college assistant at UCLA, Michigan, Miami, Minnesota and Florida before finally landing his full-time head coaching job.
“When searching for a new head coach, we wanted to move quickly but thoroughly and looked for a coach who would build on our foundation, bring energy to the program, have a track record of success, be an elite recruiter and someone who will help young men. I wanted to play,” Washington athletic director Troy Dannen said.
“We found all of those characteristics and more in Jedd Fisch. Through our conversations it became clear that he shares our values and vision for UW Football, and that he is the right coach at the right time as we transition to the Big Ten Conference. “On behalf of the Husky family, I want to welcome Jedd, Amber, Zaylee, Ashlee and Kendall to Seattle, and I can't wait to see what comes next.”
Washington went 25-3 under DeBoer and thrived with Michael Penix Jr. as the team's starting quarterback. The team lost to Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 8.
Jedd Fisch of the Arizona Wildcats watches the action during the second half against the Utah Utes at Arizona Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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Fisch is expected to continue building on the foundation laid by DeBoer.
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