Jedd Fisch explains if Washington is where he sees himself long-term

When Washington hired Jedd Fisch away from Arizona, some asked if this was the tippy top for the new Huskies leader.

With Washington’s move to the Big Ten, there isn’t much more room to go up. That’s how Fisch put it at least. Conference realignment essentially changed the definition of what’s a destination job.

So with that in mind, Fisch gave an interesting answer.

“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.”

Washington came up just short in the four-team playoff twice in its history. A 12-team playoff is certainly attainable under Fisch in 2024 and beyond.

“With an opportunity to go out there with a fan base that’s dying to continue to win national championships, the idea of staying is why you come,” Fisch said of being at Washington long term. “The idea of being here is to win championships. And that’s all I can promise that we’re going to be here every single day doing everything we can to win the championship, knowing that Washington has the opportunity to do that every year.”

According to Steve Berkowitz of USA TODAY Sports, the freshly-minted Washington head coach will be receiving a seven-year deal, with his salary starting at $7.5M and increasing each season, along with other incentives.

“Term sheet between Washington and new FB coach Jedd Fisch: 7-year deal, starting at $7.5 million and increasing by $75,000 annually (basic total of $54.075 million, avg of $7.725 million). He also gets $200,000 relocation allowance,” Berkowitz posted on Twitter. “Fisch would get 85% of pay remaining on contract if fired without cause. The buyout he would owe if he ends deal starts at $12 million, then drops annually: to $10M, $6M, $5M, $3M, $1M.

“Fisch also will be eligible for up to $1.55 million in bonuses annually, and Washington will cover $5.5 million buyout that he owes Arizona.”