Arizona coach Jedd Fisch will likely head to Washington. Fisch had his first interview with the Huskies on Saturday afternoon and there were some who thought he wasn't the first choice.
On Sunday afternoon, Kansas coach Lance Leipold declined the job and the search turned back to Fisch. A second interview was conducted sometime in the last 24 hours and the financials were discussed and everything was finalized on Sunday afternoon.
Throughout the process, there were indications from Fish that he was happy in Arizona and would not seriously accept Washington's offer, but the administration lost its way.
Fisch is coming off one of the best seasons in school history. The Wildcats finished the 2023 regular season with a six-game winning streak and a 9-3 overall record before winning the Alamo Bowl in impressive fashion against Oklahoma.
The 2021-2023 improvement of eight wins was the largest improvement in wins over three seasons in program history. Arizona capped the season with a dominant 59-23 win over rival Arizona State to retain the Regional Cup for the second straight year, marking the first time since the 2008-2009 seasons that Arizona had won back-to-back Regional Cup games.
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Arizona's finish this season is the Wildcats' highest in the conference since winning the South Division and appearing in the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon in 2014.
In Fisch's second year with the Wildcats, Arizona posted a four-win improvement, marking the third-largest increase in wins in a single season in program history. The Wildcats finished 5-7 in 2022 after going 1-11 in 2021, highlighted by a defeat of No. 9 UCLA in the Rose Bowl, which was Arizona's first top-10 win on the road since 2015.
The move comes as a surprise to some because although many view Washington as a high-profile job, the Wildcats were prepared to bring back one of the best rosters in college football and challenge for a Big 12 title.
Also, Fish made a media tour saying he's happy in Arizona and doesn't plan on going anywhere.
“We're going to the Big 12 with a lot of momentum,” Fisch said after the Alamo Bowl. “We're on a seven-game winning streak. It's pretty great for Arizona football to be on a seven-game winning streak. I love our players, and I think the reason we're able to do what we do is because our players keep working hard and our players have confidence. Where else would you rather be and then try to be top 10 or better next year?”
The search for Arizona's new head coach will begin immediately.
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