The Arizona Wildcat football program will be heading to a new conference and now with seemingly a new head coach.
The coaching carousel spun and spun the past few weeks, and it eventually hit Tucson with Jedd Fisch slated to join the Washington program, according to multiple reports.
The opening in Seattle was left by Kalen DeBoer, who is leading the Alabama program after Nick Saban’s retirement.
Washington just played in the national championship game and will head to the Big Ten next year, a conference Fisch has experience coaching in when he was with the Michigan Wolverines in 2015 & 16.
Fisch reportedly ends his three-year Wildcat tenure with a 16-21 record. It was a full rebuild for the head coach when he took over ahead of the 2021 season. The Wildcats went 0-5 in the 2020 COVID-shortened season and went 1-11 in Fisch’s first year.
The Wildcats brought in some high-level recruits and transfers entering the 2022 season including quarterbacks Jayden de Laura & Noah Fifita and wide receivers Jacob Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan. Fisch and the program took a big step forward, going 5-7 and narrowly missing bowl eligibility.
Arizona met and exceeded the higher expectations entering the 2023 season. The defense improved immensely to match the offensive output on way to a 10-3 record and Alamo Bowl win. The offense flourished with Noah Fifita taking over at quarterback early in conference play, and he was on his way to a Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award.
McMillan & Cowing were one of the top receiving duos in the country. “T-Mac” came away with 1402 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Cowing tallied 848 yards and a single-season program record of 13 receiving touchdowns.
The defense helped talk the ‘Cats to a new level in 2023. A year removed from being the 11th-best defense in the Pac-12, the ‘Cats gave up the fourth-fewest points in the conference and dominated, especially in the second half of the season.
The Wildcats hold the second-longest win streak in the country with seven, including wins over ranked Oklahoma, Utah, UCLA, Oregon State and Washington State teams.
From recruiting and adding through the portal to building depth and culture within a program, Fisch has provided a blueprint on how to turn a program around quickly in the current age of college football.
With Fisch now gone to Washington, the question now is which coaches and players will leave Tucson to either follow Fisch or find other opportunities? Defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen is already with Texas along with defensive backs coach Duane Akina. Will the university’s financial uncertainty impact the type of coach the program can attract?
The biggest first step for the new head coach will be to try to retain as much of the roster Fisch built for the years ahead.
Jordan Hamm
Cesmat-Wildcats Season at a Tipping Point
Pac-12 rewind: Arizona, Oregon State shine while Riley’s offense delivers and Penix thrives, but Utah’s playoff hopes take huge hit
Pac-12 rewind: WSU’s defense shines, Smith’s gutsy call, USC’s funny numbers and more touchdowns in Seattle
