In a college football landscape that’s seen more shakeups than a two-minute drill, coaching stability has become the rarest of luxuries. Programs are constantly retooling, reloading, and, in many cases, replacing the very leaders who helped build them up. The carousel keeps spinning - and this offseason has been no different.
Let’s start with one of the biggest moves: Lane Kiffin, fresh off a 12-1 season and a College Football Playoff appearance with Ole Miss, is now the head coach at LSU. That’s right - a direct leap to an SEC rival.
It’s a bold move, but not entirely surprising given the way Kiffin has navigated his career. With his departure, Ole Miss elevated defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the top job, keeping some continuity in-house.
Meanwhile, Jon Sumrall, who had a strong run at Tulane, is heading to Florida to take over the Gators. That hire checks several boxes for Florida - a rising coach with a proven track record and recruiting chops in the South.
But let’s shift the focus to the Pacific Northwest, where Washington Huskies fans have been riding their own version of the coaching rollercoaster. After guiding the Huskies to the 2024 national championship game, Kalen DeBoer was hired away by Alabama.
That’s a tough loss for any program, but Washington didn’t waste time finding a new leader. Enter Jedd Fisch.
Fisch came to Seattle after rebuilding Arizona and brought a similar blueprint to Washington. In his first season, the Huskies went 6-7 - a transitional year, sure - but they bounced back strong in Year 2 with a 9-4 finish. That included a convincing 38-10 win over Boise State in the Los Angeles Bowl, a game that capped off a season of growth and momentum.
Heading into the offseason, Fisch’s name started popping up in coaching rumors again - this time linked to the Michigan Wolverines. And there was some logic behind it.
Fisch has ties to the program, having served as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach under Jim Harbaugh from 2015 to 2016. He’s also a Florida alum and got his coaching start there, which is why he was floated as a possibility for the Gators job before they landed Sumrall.
But according to a report from Seattle radio host Dave “Softy” Mahler, Fisch isn’t going anywhere. Mahler, citing a source close to the coach, reported on Christmas Eve that Fisch has no plans to interview for the Michigan job - and hasn’t done so. That’s a significant statement, especially considering ESPN’s Pete Thamel had listed Fisch among Michigan’s top three targets, calling him a “gettable” coach.
So what’s keeping Fisch in Seattle? For one, he’s building something.
Washington’s 2026 recruiting class currently ranks 12th in the nation, per 247Sports - the highest in program history. That’s not just a number; it’s a sign that Fisch is gaining traction on the trail and selling a vision that top-tier recruits are buying into.
He’s also earned a reputation as a program rebuilder. From Arizona to Washington, the blueprint has been consistent: develop talent, build culture, and win games. And after a two-year turnaround that saw the Huskies go from sub-.500 to nine wins and a bowl victory, it’s clear that Fisch has this team headed in the right direction.
In a sport where coaching tenures are often short and loyalty is fleeting, Washington fans have reason to feel optimistic. Fisch isn’t just staying - he’s investing. And if the trajectory continues, the Huskies could be right back in the national conversation sooner than later.