Arizona’s Jedd Fisch agreed Sunday to a reported seven-year, $54.25 million deal to become the new coach at Washington.
The school confirmed the hiring Sunday evening but didn’t divulge financial figures.
“In seeking a new head coach, 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,” Washington athletic director Troy 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 as we transition to the Big Ten Conference.”
Fisch informed Arizona coaches and players during a team meeting in Tucson, Ariz., that he was taking the Washington job. He then left to board a plane for a flight to Seattle and spoke briefly before getting on the plane.
“Husky Nation. Coach Fisch here,” he said. “Boarding the plane to Seattle right now. I just can’t wait to see you, meet you, and meet our players. Let’s go get that championship we’ve been talking about.”
Fisch replaces Kalen DeBoer, who took the Alabama job Friday. DeBoer guided the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game, where they lost to Michigan 34-13 on Monday.
“It is truly an honor to join The University of Washington and do my part in carrying on the tradition of a storied football program and world-class university,” Fisch said in a news release.
“The unbelievable success of the Huskies the last two seasons demonstrates what UW is capable of 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. I am grateful to President (Ana Mari) Cauce and to Troy Dannen for their confidence in me and I’m thrilled to be a Husky. Our work has already begun.”
Fisch, 47, coached the Wildcats to a 10-3 record and a No. 11 final ranking in the AP poll this season.
Arizona finished the season with seven consecutive victories, including a 38-24 win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
It marked just the fourth time the Wildcats won 10 or more games in a season.
Overall, Fisch went 16-21 in three seasons with the Wildcats. His first team went 1-11 in 2021 before he won five games the following year and made another jump this season.
Among Fisch’s coaching stints was a one-year stay (2010) as the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterbacks coach. He was the New England Patriots’ quarterbacks coach for the 2020 season before Arizona hired him.
DeBoer went 25-3 in two seasons with the Huskies.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was hopeful of being promoted to head coach but announced Saturday night that he “will not be the next head coach at the University of Washington.”
ESPN reported Grubb is likely to join DeBoer at Alabama.
