Jedd Fisch’s move from Arizona Wildcats head coach to Washington Huskies has sparked many mixed emotions and speculations among fans and observers alike. At first, fans speculated about possible connections to Florida Gators coach Billy Napier being enough to entice Fisch away; now however it seems a major target has become UCLA Bruins coaching position opened up recently in Big Ten conference – leading many fans to suspect there could be deeper motives at play here.
Recently, reports surfaced suggesting Jedd Fisch could become the new head coach at UCLA following DeShaun Foster’s dismissal, prompting numerous reactions considering UCLA is one of the lower performing Power 4 conferences.
Fisch is currently in his second season with Washington, having spent three years rebuilding the Arizona Wildcats from 2021-23. Returning to UCLA would not be unfamiliar territory for Fisch, as he previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Bruins in 2017. During his interim coaching period, he led the team to a victory against California but faced a loss against Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl.
UCLA’s decision to part ways with Foster stirred rumors about Fisch’s potential interest in the Bruins. Despite the timing and his commitment to Washington, the speculation has not ceased. Fans argue whether Fisch’s possible interest in UCLA could merely be a negotiation tactic to secure a better deal at Washington, where he is already making significant strides in improving the program.
Speculation Over Fisch’s Career Moves and Intentions
In light of his ranking among the highest-paid head coaches and his current success with Washington, some believe that Fisch’s link to UCLA might be a strategic move to negotiate higher pay. Under Fisch, Washington has shown considerable improvement, contrasting the recent struggles of the UCLA Bruins. His history of quickly departing from Arizona further fuels distrust among fans who view his potential move skeptically.
Troy Dannen of Washington athletic director made great efforts in recruiting Fisch from Arizona with an attractive seven-year contract and salary, suggesting their expectations for long-term commitment. Some fans, however, suspect NFL agent Doug Hendrickson may be manipulating this situation to his own financial advantage while questioning Fisch’s integrity and loyalty to Washington athletic director Troy Dannen and their coach’s integrity and devotion to their job as coach.
Fans and observers remain on edge, anticipating Fisch’s next move and its possible implications for Washington Huskies and UCLA Bruins basketball programs.