Jedd Fisch takes the helm of Washington Football as the Huskies enter a new era in the Big Ten Conference
Within 10 days of the National Championship game, Washington recruited you from Arizona and you held your first team meeting. What was your critical message to them?
You don’t have to trust me now, but you do have to allow me to earn your trust. It had been an emotional roller coaster for all of us, yet we were all looking forward to new opportunities. I asked them to be patient. And now, it’s all about building relationships. I couldn’t be happier with the team we’re putting together.
Why should Husky fans be excited about you?
My ultimate goal is to sustain success year in and year out at Washington, not to shy away from high expectations but to embrace them. I’ve invested so much time and energy into my career to have an opportunity like this. I won’t take it for granted.
Explain why the move to the Big Ten is such an important opportunity for Washington.
Being in the Big Ten is a game changer. The GO BIG! philosophy is real. We have 22 incredible programs that are capable of winning championships and sustaining success. When you’re playing teams like Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State … it’s like the NFL where every week is a battle. College football is evolving and the Big Ten and the SEC are where it’s at if you want stability and the chance to play on an incredible national stage.
What role do donors play in that opportunity?
You are critical to every aspect of our success, on the field and off. Whether you’re giving student-athletes NIL opportunities or investing in things like nutrition, facilities or day-to-day operations, you’re making a difference in every single game and in these young men’s lives after football. Washington isn’t called The Greatest Setting in College Football for nothing. It’s not just the stadium, not just the lake. It’s the people. Washington’s donors are incredible.
You’ve been described as a great recruiter. What is your recruiting philosophy?
We focus on our commitment to their wellbeing and the fact that everything we do is to help them get better and enhance their opportunities.
What is the most important thing for us to know about you, not as a coach but as a person?
My wife, Amber, and I care about every player like they’re our son. She’s been the team mom at every college stop. Our commitment to them is way beyond football. Our responsibility is to help them bridge the gap from age 18 to 23 so we emphasize the academic, community and social aspects of football as well as the athletic aspects. We have three daughters: Zaylee who is studying to be a paralegal; Ashlee, who’s a high school freshman and a tennis player; and Kendall, who’s 12 and a swimmer.
