Jedd Fisch Staying Put at Washington as Michigan Turns to Whittingham
After weeks of swirling speculation, the coaching carousel has come to a stop-for now. Jedd Fisch is staying in Seattle.
Despite being a popular name in Michigan’s search for a new head coach, the University of Washington’s head man is not heading back to Ann Arbor. Instead, the Wolverines are hiring former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Fisch, who once served as an assistant at Michigan, had been viewed as a natural fit following the abrupt departure of Sherrone Moore. Moore was dismissed due to an inappropriate relationship with a football staff member, and the timing couldn’t have been worse for Michigan.
Most of the top coaching candidates were already off the board, which made Fisch’s name rise quickly in relevance. But in the end, Michigan went in a different direction-and that’s good news for the Huskies.
Stability in Seattle
Washington fans can exhale. Fisch staying in Seattle is more than just a coaching decision-it’s a stabilizing force for a program that’s been building momentum.
In just his second season, Fisch led the Huskies to a 9-4 record and capped the year with a win in the LA Bowl. That kind of success, especially in today’s college football landscape, can be fragile.
The transfer portal has made player movement easier than ever, and a coaching change often triggers a domino effect of departures. Fisch staying put helps keep that domino from tipping.
Recruits stay committed. Veterans stay grounded.
Continuity stays intact.
That’s crucial, especially with quarterback Demond Williams Jr. returning. Williams showed flashes of dynamic playmaking in 2025, and with another offseason under Fisch’s system, he could take a big leap in 2026. The offense should remain explosive, even with some key departures.
Running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston have declared for the NFL Draft, and those are not small losses. Coleman brought physicality and balance to the backfield, while Boston was a reliable target on the perimeter. But the Huskies have depth, and with Fisch’s offensive mind at the helm, they’re well-positioned to reload rather than rebuild.
What’s Next for Fisch?
Fisch has bounced around the coaching world for years, but Seattle might finally be the place where he settles in. While only he knows what the future holds, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Washington look to lock him in with a contract extension. Coaches with his résumé and recruiting chops don’t stay on the market for long, and Washington has every reason to invest in long-term stability.
He’s already proven he can win, connect with players, and navigate the modern college football landscape-no small feat in an era dominated by NIL, portal movement, and conference realignment.
Around Montlake
While football headlines tend to dominate in December, there’s more happening on campus.
The Washington men’s basketball team is off to a solid 8-4 start. They’ll host Utah on Monday night before diving back into Big Ten play on January 4 with a road trip to Indiana. The Huskies are currently 1-1 in conference play and looking to build consistency heading into the heart of the schedule.
On the women’s side, Washington is 0-1 in Big Ten action after a tough loss to Southern California. They’ll face Northwestern on December 29, but the real test comes in early January.
The Huskies will host back-to-back games against ranked opponents-No. 6 Michigan on New Year’s Day and No.
24 Michigan State on January 8. Both games will be key measuring sticks for a team looking to make noise in a stacked conference.
Final Word
Keeping Jedd Fisch in Seattle is a win on multiple levels. It secures the foundation of a rising football program, keeps the roster intact during a critical offseason, and gives the Huskies a real shot at building something sustainable. With a returning quarterback, an aggressive offensive system, and a coach who’s clearly bought in-for now-Washington fans have every reason to feel optimistic heading into 2026.