Washington hires Arizona coach Jedd Fisch to replace Kalen DeBoer

Field Level Media|published: Sun 14th January, 19:35 2024

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Jedd Fisch against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. credits: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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.

Fisch reportedly was slated to inform Arizona coaches and players during a team meeting that he is departing.

Fisch replaces Kalen DeBoer, who took the Alabama job on Friday. DeBoer guided the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game, where they lost to Michigan 34-13 on Monday.

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 past 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."

—Field Level Media