When Kalen DeBoer departed for the Alabama Crimson Tide head coaching job, the biggest question on everyone’s mind was how the Washington Huskies would replace the head coach who just got them to the CFP National Championship Game.
We’re now able to answer that question, thanks to the latest development in Washington’s head coaching search.
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Arizona’s Jedd Fisch hired as next Washington Huskies head coach
Replacing Kalen DeBoer won’t be easy. If it were up to the Washington Huskies, they’d be keeping the coach who helped them ascend to college football’s biggest stage. Yet, that same success is also why the current vacancy is so desirable, even after losing players like Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze, and Bralen Trice to the NFL.
While there are many candidates who likely expressed interest, and with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb following Coach DeBoer to Alabama, there can only be one choice in Washington.
According to college football insider Bruce Feldman, the Huskies have hired Arizona’s Jedd Fisch. Based on reports, Fisch was the only coach Washington officials brought back for a second interview after the initial round of calls.
For Fisch, the fit makes a lot of sense, as he has plenty of ties to the Seattle area, having worked with the NFL’s Seahawks in the past. Not to mention, Arizona’s offensive coordinator, Brennan Carroll, is the son of Pete Carroll. While we still don’t know what the future holds for the elder Carroll in Seattle, the strong ties to the area remain. But the belief is Brennan would follow Fisch to Washington.
By hiring Fisch, the Huskies are getting a coach who took an Arizona Wildcats team that went winless in 2020, to mustering just one win in his first year on the job. But then, Fisch improved to a 5-7 record before finding great success in 2023 with a 10-3 record. If he can turn a small program like Arizona around that quickly, what can he do with a Washington team needing to replace a ton of talent?
It sounds like the Huskies are eager to find out, and Fisch might have to start by finding a new quarterback.
Related: Grading college football coaching hires 2023-24: Evaluating Kalen DeBoer to Alabama
Did you know? Kalen DeBoer is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan