Getty Image
The Washington Huskies are expected to hire Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch to replace Kalen DeBoer. It’s a somewhat unexpected move considering his comments from just 10 days prior.
Fisch took over in Tucson in 2021 following a winless season for the Wildcats. In just three years, he was able to produce a 10-win team that’s trending up headed into the 2024 campaign.
Arizona is set to return a ton of production after capping its year with an Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma and finishing the season ranked in the top 15.
But rather than stick around to build on the momentum gained, Fisch appears destined for a new destination thanks to an unanticipated series of events sparked by Nick Saban’s retirement announcement.
The early favorite for the Crimson Tide was Oregon’s Dan Lanning, who opted to remain in Eugene.
The coaching search then shifted to another West Coast program as Alabama landed its replacement in Washington’s Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer’s departure created an opening at UW, a team fresh off a national title appearance. The vacancy wouldn’t be available long.
The Huskies worked quickly in finding a new head coach and are reportedly swiping a staffer from a former PAC 12 rival.
Jedd Fisch accepts Washington job, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Arizona has team meetings w/in next hour. Arizona had opportunity to get Fisch new deal but it wasn’t a priority for school, source said. UW 2024 schedule includes: Washington State (in Seattle); home Michigan &…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 14, 2024
As Brett McMurphy notes in his newsbreak, the Wildcats had been working towards a potential extension. Unfortunately, they didn’t do enough to keep their guy.
Jedd Fisch’s hypocritical comments trend.
We’re often asking about loyalty in college sports, whether that involves players entering the transfer portal or coaches hopping to the next best job opportunity.
Those questions were raised when DeBoer bolted for Bama after just two seasons, and comments about his Washington team didn’t do much to lessen the frustrations of Husky fans.
Now, a similar narrative surrounds Jedd Fisch.
Just a week and a half before accepting the role, he said he was “all in” on Arizona.
“I have no interest in going anywhere.
I have a lot of interest in seeing if we can get to that CFP.”
.@CoachJeddFisch says he’s close to an extension that will keep him at Arizona. pic.twitter.com/EI2r4dCG9i
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) January 4, 2024
“I have no interest in going anywhere,” Fisch said while speaking on the Jim Rome Show. “I have a lot of interest in seeing if we can get to that CFP.”
His focus might still be on the College Football Playoff – just with another program!
Fisch is expected to meet with his current players Sunday evening to inform them of the situation. It will be interesting to see if a mass exodus at Arizona follows.