TEMPE, Ariz. — Jedd Fisch, the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, appears to be on his way to Washington. After intense speculation that he may not be the top choice, Fisch interviewed with the Huskies on Saturday, and things quickly shifted in his favor.
The coaching search took an unexpected turn when Lance Leipold, the head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, declined the job offer on Sunday afternoon. This prompted the Washington administration to circle back to Fisch, who impressed them during a second interview held within the last 24 hours.
Despite Fisch’s previous indications of contentment with the Wildcats, the Washington administration managed to sway him. This comes as a surprise to many, as Arizona had just concluded one of its most successful seasons in recent history. The Wildcats finished the 2023 regular season with an impressive nine wins and a six-game winning streak, culminating in a commanding victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
This season’s accomplishments marked the largest win improvement over a three-year period in the program’s history. Arizona also maintained dominance over rival Arizona State, securing the Territorial Cup for the second consecutive year. Furthermore, it was the first time since 2008-2009 that the Wildcats emerged victorious in back-to-back Territorial Cup games.
Fisch’s departure from Arizona is bittersweet. Under his leadership, the Wildcats experienced a substantial four-win improvement in his second year as head coach, demonstrating steady progress. Notably, they secured a remarkable victory over No. 9 UCLA on the road, which was their first top-10 win away from home since 2015.
The decision to leave Arizona for Washington is intriguing, as the Wildcats were positioned to contend for a Big 12 title with a promising roster. Fisch himself had publicly expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and had no intention of departing. “We’ll be going into the Big 12 with a lot of momentum,” he said after the Alamo Bowl, speaking highly of his players and their potential for future success.
With Fisch’s departure imminent, Arizona now faces the task of finding a new head coach. The search is set to begin immediately.
In summary, Jedd Fisch, the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, is likely headed to Washington after a successful season with the Wildcats. Despite previous indications of contentment, Fisch’s interest in the Washington job was piqued during the recruitment process. Arizona achieved significant improvements under Fisch’s leadership, making his departure all the more noteworthy. As Arizona now sets out to find a new head coach, the team’s future hangs in the balance.