Jedd Fisch to Washington? Fans, media react to potential hire
Jedd Fisch has emerged as the top target for Washington in its search to replace Kalen DeBoer as head coach, according to multiple reports.
Fisch has extensive experience in college football and in the NFL. Most recently, he’s helped rebuild Arizona’s football program over the past 3 seasons. The Wildcats won 10 games this past season after going winless in the season before Fisch arrived.
For Washington, the Huskies would be getting a proven head coach who has plenty of experience recruiting and developing talent on the west coast. Washington will likely be in for a rebuild next season as it’s set to lose numerous key players from the team that just went to the national title game. The Huskies have lost multiple starters to the NFL Draft and to the transfer portal in recent days.
For Arizona, it’s potentially a gutting loss. The Wildcats were expected to compete for a spot in the newly-expanded College Football Playoff in 2024. Arizona was set to return numerous starters from a team that won 10 games and defeated Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl this season.
There’s also the matter of Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, who emerged as one of the top young passers in the country this season. It will be interesting to see if Fifita decides to enter the transfer portal if Fisch does leave Arizona.
Here’s a sample of the reaction from fans and media to today’s news:
Shoutout to Jedd Fisch, who I truly felt was one of the least imaginative and lowest-upside HC hires of the last few years, for being … not that
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 14, 2024
HUSKY FANS!
Jedd Fisch is going to be our new Head Football coach!
It's time to really crank it up! #PurpleReign
— Jordan Reffett (@JordanReffett) January 14, 2024
Jedd Fisch is a great hire by #Washington.
Like Jonathan Smith, he’ll likely bring his own QB in Noah Fifita and potentially speed up the rebuild by a couple years.#Florida will regret not firing Napier for Fisch (a UF alum) earlier this offseason.
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) January 14, 2024
Jedd Fisch appears to be the next Washington Head Coach. Would be an amazing hire for the program as he is known as both a talent developer and a great recruiter.
Fisch went 10-3 at Arizona this past season and won 7 straight games to end the season. https://t.co/F194oxBmp8
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) January 14, 2024
I'm told "it's pretty far down the road" between Jedd Fisch and UW. Things could change, of course. But that's the direction we're headed. They're making him an offer he can't refuse. Way more money and resources than Arizona could ever provide. Should have clarity within the…
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) January 14, 2024
Nothing is official with Jedd Fisch and Washington, but "the (initial) offer presented is incredibly good" and too difficult to rival for Arizona.
A source told me an official offer for Fisch to UW will be made here shortly. Here we go…
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) January 14, 2024
Jedd Fisch. Let’s go baby
— Barstool Huskies (@Barstoolhuskies) January 14, 2024
Jedd Fisch is leaving for Washington after 3 years at Arizona. He will presumably be taking all of Arizona’s talent, all the while being on the brink of doing something that has never been done at Arizona (CFP). College football is broken. I’m done with it.
— Sidelines – Arizona 🐻⬇️ (@SSN_Zona) January 14, 2024
If Jedd Fisch really leaves us for Washington, I can only say that our kids deserve better than him. You finally have a team with synergy & only bright things ahead. The NFL? I guess even though I think it would be a mistake but Washington? Yeah, our kids deserve better.
— Lauren J in the BigXII (@thespinzone) January 14, 2024
Very surprised with Jedd Fisch leaving. Had a good chance for the playoff at Arizona. Not so much at UW. Much tougher schedule and style of play. Not all the Arizona players are gonna follow either.
— Shootout Football Report (@WWetzky) January 14, 2024
Washington QB Noah Fifita
— Derek Young (@DerekYoungKSO) January 14, 2024
Hard to feel anything but sad seeing the Jedd Fisch news. Leaving a team that is returning just about everyone that’s going to a conference where you’d be the favorite and have the inside track for a playoff spot can only mean the money was there.
Huge bummer pic.twitter.com/CCdGlVf8id
— Drew Allen (@The_Drew_Abides) January 14, 2024
Wow jedd fisch building a special program with some great talent and ditches it for Washington, the husky way
— Colt Keith #1 fan (@Budknightfn) January 14, 2024
Could have a major impact on Arizona’s roster with guys like Freshman POY QB Noah Fifita, WR Tetairoa McMillan, & LB Jacob Manu https://t.co/fRxqfNIu3J
— Oregon Recruiting (@duckscrootin) January 14, 2024