Jedd Fisch refutes report he interviewed for UCLA job, per Bruce Feldman

New Washington head coach Jedd Fisch refuted the report he interviewed for the UCLA opening, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Fisch, who left Arizona for Washington this coaching cycle, was rumored to be targeted for the UCLA head coaching gig. Chip Kelly decided to leave his post and take the Ohio State offensive coordinator job.

However, Fisch is not going anywhere, per Feldman.

“Saw the report that UCLA had interviewed Jedd Fisch this weekend,” Feldman wrote on Twitter. “I reached out to Fisch who said that report could not be more false. “I had zero conversation with UCLA nor would I … We’re almost 48 hours into the UCLA coaching search. Here’s what we’re hearing on it. PJ Fleck is out. Brent Brennan’s not in the mix, but Stanford’s Troy Taylor and UNLV’s Barry Odom are. So is Nebraska DC Tony White…”

Just last month, Fisch was asked if he saw himself at Washington long term.

“Well, I think that’s always a problem right? You can’t be right, you can’t be wrong, whatever you say. I know that comment is always gonna be made. Is it a destination job,” Fisch said. “I would answer it this way. The Big Ten, the SEC, right now is who’s leading the football pathways. The college football landscape is about getting to the CFP. There’s 12 teams that are going to compete every year starting next year in the college football playoffs.” 

Fisch looked at recent history and how it projects at a place like Washington.

“If you look at what teams traditionally compete, it’s about the same 12 or 14 teams,” Fisch said. “The University of Washington is one of those 12 or 14 teams. That’s why we coach, we coach to be able to take a seat at that table and to be able to give yourself a chance every single year with resources beyond belief.”

So with that, UCLA will have to turn elsewhere, if the brass was even thinking about Fisch as the team’s head coach.

Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond indicated to reporters that he wants to fill the job in the next 96 hours, at least that was as of February 9th. He also indicated the goal is to hire a coach who will be around in the long term, but will be flexible as necessary.

In reporting on Kelly’s departure, the Los Angeles Times floated five names who could be replacements in Westwood.

The potential candidates suggested by The Times are:

• Nebraska DC Tony White
• Former Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy
• Former Stanford HC David Shaw
• Former USC and Seattle Seahawks HC Pete Carroll
• Cleveland Browns TE coach Tommy Rees

All five have some distinct connection to the area or program.