Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch swiftly addressed a quarterback crisis in January, when Demond Williams Jr. threatened to enter the transfer portal despite signing a contract with the Huskies. Fisch convinced the talented quarterback to stay and retooled the roster ahead of a pivotal third season in charge.
Jedd Fisch Has Ominous Reaction to Analyst’s Rankings
Fisch has been in charge of the Huskies for two seasons since being appointed as Kalen DeBoer’s successor in 2024. He was one of the names linked with a move to the Florida Gators and Michigan Wolverines jobs at the height of last year’s coaching carousel.
After the Huskies were left out of analyst Josh Pate’s top-12 team rankings ahead of next season, Fisch issued a two-word response to the snub on X on Monday. “Got it.” Fisch tweeted.
Fisch spearheaded one of the greatest turnarounds at the helm of the Arizona Wildcats, who went 1-11 in his first season in charge in 2021, culminating in a 10-3 record and an Alamo Bowl win against the Oklahoma Sooners in his final season, before departing for the Huskies.
The Wildcats were also ranked No. 11 in the AP Top 25 Poll at the end of his final season in charge, their highest finish in 25 years. Since succeeding DeBoer as coach of the Huskies, Fisch has led them to a 9-9 Big Ten and 15-11 overall record, including bowl eligibility in both seasons.
CBS Sports analyst Cody Nagel picked the Huskies to crash the College Football Playoff next season behind elite play by Williams in his way-too-early top 25 ranking. Fisch’s team was picked No. 19 on the list, behind the Utah Utes and, surprisingly, ahead of the Ole Miss Rebels, who will welcome back quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
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“After a brief transfer flirtation that he now admits was a mistake, quarterback Demond Williams Jr. returns to Washingon needing to make up for the offseason drama that raised questions about his commitment. Year 3 is his chance to prove he is the quarterback the Huskies envisioned when he arrived,” Nagel wrote.
“Much of the starting offensive line returns, but Williams will need to step up as the primary playmaker and carry the offense without his top rusher and leading receiver from last season.”
Two seasons ago, under DeBoer, the Huskies shocked the college football world by reaching the national championship game against Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines, a domino effect that led to DeBoer succeeding Nick Saban at Alabama and to Fisch’s move from Arizona.
