In the ever-evolving world of college football, winning games is only a piece of the puzzle. Building a program that lasts? That’s a whole different beast.
Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies are a recent example of just how complicated things can get. Fisch arrived at Washington with plenty of experience and a roster full of talent. But honestly, creating something that sticks around for years is never easy.
This article takes a closer look at Fisch’s time at Washington. We’ll poke around the messy business of keeping players and coaches, and try to make sense of college football as it stands in 2025.
The Importance of Retention in College Football
Fisch’s path to Washington started with a big win at Arizona, where his Wildcats made it to the Alamo Bowl. He’s said more than once that holding onto key players is everything.
Washington managed to keep its core roster together, which helped them move from an Alamo Bowl win to an undefeated regular season and a Pac-12 title. That led to a College Football Playoff spot in 2023.
Fisch’s Arizona team, sitting at 9-3 in the regular season, faced the same uphill battle: trying to keep their best talent when everyone else is looking to steal it.
Player and Coach Poaching: A Common Phenomenon
By 2025, it’s just a given—players and coaches get poached all the time. When Kalen DeBoer left Washington for Alabama, Fisch stepped in, and both coaches ended up bringing some important players with them.
This endless shuffle really shows why retention matters so much. Fisch’s knack for attracting and holding onto top talent could make or break Washington’s future.
Challenges Faced by Washington Huskies
Even with two national titles and a few College Football Playoff runs, Washington isn’t sitting at the absolute top of the college football world. Schools like Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Notre Dame—they’ve got the resources to make it nearly impossible for others to steal their talent.
Washington has to keep working to make itself a place that players and coaches actually want to stay. That’s a tough sell, sometimes.
The Role of Leadership in Program Sustainability
Leadership changes can shake up a program in ways you don’t always expect. When Fisch was introduced as Washington’s head coach on January 16, 2024, then-athletic director Troy Dannen talked about making Washington a destination school.
But Dannen left for Nebraska less than three months later, which just goes to show how quickly things can change. Now, Fisch has to figure out how to keep things steady and keep people around.
Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities
Right now, the Huskies are 6-2 and already bowl eligible. They’ve got games against Wisconsin, Purdue, and UCLA coming up—honestly, all winnable.
If they can beat Oregon on November 29, a College Football Playoff spot could be within reach. But, as always, the real challenge is keeping their best players from getting lured away.
Balancing Success and Sustainability
Here’s the kicker: the better you do, the harder it gets to keep your future safe. It gets expensive, too.
Fisch’s own career—11 stops in 17 years—kind of says it all. If you want something that lasts, you’ve got to stop other programs from picking off your talent. That’s the trick, isn’t it?
Future Prospects for Jedd Fisch and Washington
Maybe Fisch sticks around Seattle in 2026. Maybe Demond Williams Jr., the star quarterback, does too.
But let’s be real—coaching rumors and job offers from other programs never really stop. Fisch’s shot at building something lasting at Washington depends on how well he can handle that chaos and keep the program steady.
For more on Jedd Fisch’s time at Washington and the wild world of college football, check out the original article on The Seattle Times.
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