“We are here for the ‘W’. The ‘W’ for winning, the ‘W’ for work, the ‘W’ for Washington.” Jedd Fisch’s words to open his introductory press conference rang deeply with the audience in attendance and those listening live. Fisch got on a plane on Sunday evening and greeted his new program that night in the locker room. He was formally introduced as the next head coach of Washington football just two days later.
Not A Rebuild, A Reconstruction
During Fisch’s press conference, he alluded to the success that this program has had in recent years. Just a few days ago, Washington played for a National Title. It finished the season 14-1, and number two in the final AP Poll. It’s a program with 775 wins, 18 conference titles, and two National Championships. Fisch announced that he was not going to rebuild this roster, but rather, he would be reconstructing it.
At the time of this writing, the Washington roster has just 64 scholarship players. The NCAA limit is 85. Washington currently has 16 players in the transfer portal, and it has lost five commitments in its 2024 and 2025 classes. There is significant work to do, but Fisch said he recognizes this.
Recruiting and developing was one of the main reasons that Fisch was able to turn the Arizona football program around. Washington Athletic Director Troy Dannen said during his opening statement Tuesday that he wanted a recruiter. And he wanted “Somebody who was maniacal about it.” Fisch is that guy. He had Arizona’s 2022 recruiting class ranked 22nd nationally. It was a class that included Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. The FWAA Freshman All-American Team just named Fifita to its first team. McMillan finished last season with over 1,400 receiving yards. Fisch’s career includes coaching in the NFL and in college. That has enhanced his understanding of program/organization building. He stated that he wants to build his program (organization) with recruiting (the NFL Draft), not just with the transfer portal (free agency).
Jedd Fisch’s Coaching Staff
There have been many reports that he was bringing his entire Arizona offensive staff with him to Seattle. Though Fisch did not make official announcements, he did state that he had “Fantastic coaches” in Tucson and that he “Hope[s] that all of them come with [him] here.”
Those in attendance at his introductory press conference included his offensive coordinator at Arizona, Brennan Carroll, and wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings. Jimmie Dougherty was Fisch’s quarterbacks coach at Arizona, and he was in attendance Tuesday along with Jordan Paopao, his tight ends coach. Tyler Owens was Arizona’s strength coach under Fisch and was also at the press conference today.
Washington did make several coaching announcements official. The football program officially named Dougherty the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Washington named Owens the director of strength and conditioning. Also joining Fisch in Seattle from Arizona include Jason Kaufusi and Scottie Graham. Kaufusi was announced as the run game coordinator and defensive line coach for Washington. Graham was named the running backs coach. Fisch’s coaching staff is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Jedd Fisch Formally Introduced as Washington’s Head Coach
Fisch’s recruiting has already begun, as he stated he’s hoping to retain this team to the best of his abilities. The highly-touted quarterback transfer Will Rogers was seen in attendance at Fisch’s locker room meeting with the players on Sunday night even though he had previously re-entered the transfer portal. Center Parker Brailsford entered the transfer portal Monday night but is still open to returning to Washington. Just one hour after Fisch’s press conference, defensive back Dyson McCutcheon officially withdrew from the transfer portal.
There’s work to do and scholarships to fill. But Fisch was clear today in that he understands this, and he’s who you want in charge of a roster reconstruction. He did it with his coaching staff at Arizona, a place where it’s traditionally difficult to win and recruit. Now, he’s set up to do it in Washington. A place where Fisch believes is already one of the 12 to 14 teams to compete for the CFP every year. His aspirations as a coach weren’t specifically tied to Washington. However, he stated that his goals were to, “Get to a place that can win a National Championship.” Washington is that place.
