Kalen DeBoer officially named Washington head coach

The Washington Huskies have officially hired Fresno State head coach Kalen DeBoer to lead the football program. The 47-year old South Dakota native replaces former head coach Jimmy Lake, who was fired after less than two seasons in charge.

DeBoer graduated from the University of Sioux Falls in 1995 and took over at Washington High School in South Dakota. After two seasons, he started his college coaching career in as a wide receiver coach and has two stints as a head coach. After taking over as head coach, DeBoer led Sioux Falls to three NAIA championships from 2005-2009 before quickly rising from FCS to FBS as an offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois and Eastern Michigan.

DeBoer got his first taste of Power Five football in 2019, when he served as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for Tom Allen’s Indiana team. He then took the Fresno State head coaching job after one season and has led the Bulldogs to a 12-6 record in two years.

His previous stop was his second stint in Fresno, where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach from 2017 to 2018 under Jeff Tedford. After starting 3-3 in the shortened 2020 season, he took Fresno State to a 9-3 record with wins over No. 13 UCLA and No. 21 San Diego State.

Kalen DeBoer brings a 79-9 all-time record to Washington, including a 17-2 record in the NAIA playoffs and three NAIA coach of the year awards.

More on Washington coaching change

The Washington Huskies parted ways with head coach Jimmy Lake without cause this season, placing pressure on the next hire. The relationship between coach and school quickly deteriorated this season, following poor results and several media distractions. Washington will pay his buyout, not pursuing a for-cause split.

Following the news, Washington athletic director Jen Cohen provided information on the departure and assured fans of the direction Husky athletics is heading. Her quotes then came out.

“(Jen) Cohen says firing a coach after 13 games ‘goes against my belief as an administrator,’” The Athletic’s Christian Caple tweeted. “But says when it’s obvious something isn’t working, she has an obligation to act. ‘I’m really disappointed and I’m sad to be here today in his second season… His hire is on me, and I own it.’”

Organization concern also rose over the weeks after controversial media comments and a sideline incident brought negative attention to the program.