UW Huskies DC Ryan Walters dismisses links to Tennessee: ‘Rumors are just rumors’
Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters watches players warm up during practice, July 31, 2025, in Seattle. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter
Ryan Walters understands why the rumors started.
Walters, who will complete his first season as Washington’s defensive coordinator Saturday, was named as a potential candidate for the Tennessee defensive coordinator vacancy by On3’s Pete Nakos on Monday afternoon after the Volunteers fired longtime defensive coordinator Tim Banks earlier in the day.
Walters certainly has connections to Tennessee. From 2016-17, Walters and current Volunteer coach Josh Heupel both were part of Barry Odom’s staff at Missouri, serving as co-defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, respectively. Walters has also worked alongside Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, offensive-line coach Glen Elarbee and tight-ends coach Alec Abeln at various stops.
“That’s a pretty easy, connect-the-dots deal,” Walters said Tuesday. “Obviously, I’ve coached with a lot of those guys in the past. Respect them fully. But rumors are just rumors. I’ve had zero communication with anybody over there regarding any kind of job.”
Walters dismissed the idea of a possible departure from Washington and said his full focus is on UW’s LA Bowl matchup with Boise State on Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The Husky defensive coordinator added he’s excited about the team’s future and said he hopes to be at UW in 2026.
“I enjoy Seattle,” he said. “My family lives here. I love it here. That’s where we’re at right now.”
Retaining Walters, who arrived at UW in January after two difficult seasons coaching Purdue, will be important for the Huskies (8-4) during the offseason.
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Washington’s defense improved in almost every major category in 2025. Under former defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who exited to join his father Bill Belichick at North Carolina, UW allowed 23.77 points per game, 161.8 yards rushing per game, 5.1 yards per play and 328.4 total yards per game in 2024. The Huskies surrendered opposing teams to convert 43.58% of their third downs, 56.52% of their fourth downs and gave up 38 touchdowns.
This season under Walters, the Huskies have given up just 19.42 points per game, 103.8 yards rushing per game, 4.8 yards per play and 311.4 yards per game. Opponents are converting just 38.89% of their third towns and 50% of their fourth downs. Washington has conceded only 26 touchdowns, and hasn’t allowed more than 26 points in a game, something that happened five times in 2024.
UW’s passing defense, which faced more attempts in 2025 because of Washington’s stout run defense, was the only statistical category where the Huskies saw major regression.
And Walters said his defenses generally take a massive leap after their first season because his players become more comfortable in his scheme. Illinois, for example, elevated from being the No. 29 scoring defense and the No. 49 total defense in 2021 — Walters’ first season with the Fighting Illini — to the No. 1 scoring defense and the No. 2 total defense in 2022.
“I was a history major,” Walters said. “Usually history repeats itself. So I’m looking forward to that next step.”
Walters said he’s encouraged by Washington’s 2026 schedule and its incoming recruiting class, too. The Huskies signed 12 defensive prospects during the early signing period: five defensive linemen, five defensive backs and two linebackers.
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Kennedy Catholic High edge rusher Derek Colman-Brusa, the No. 1 player in the state, McClymonds (Calif.) High defensive back Rahsjon Duncan, Faith Lutheran (Nev.) High safety Gavin Day and Mission Viejo (Calif.) High duo Jeron Jones and JD Hill are all considered blue-chip prospects by the 247Sports composite rankings. Cherry Creek (Colo.) High defensive lineman Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais is a four-star prospect by 247Sports own ratings. Walters said he expects several of UW’s new signees to make an early impact.
“They look like Big Ten players,” Walters said. “I’m excited about our future.”
Walters wasn’t the only one who stated their intent to return to UW in 2026. Junior safety Alex McLaughlin, a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches and media during his first season of FBS football, said he fully expects to play his senior season with the Huskies.
“I’ll be here,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere. Coach (Jedd) Fisch brought me here. I’m blessed to be here, and I will be here next year.”
McLaughlin, UW’s leading tackler, agreed with Walters that Washington will be more comfortable with his scheme entering the 2026 season. The Northern Arizona transfer also said the host of young players who played significant snaps like true freshmen contributors Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Rylon Dillard-Allen and Dylan Robinson will all improve with another full offseason to absorb everything they learned this season.
So what does the next step look like for Washington’s defense? Walters said he’d like his unit to improve situationally. Getting stops in big moments. Forcing turnovers to complement the offense. Avoiding moments like Malik Benson’s 64-yard touchdown on third-and-nine with UW trailing No. 5 Oregon by five points with fewer than eight minutes remaining.
A strong performance in big situations against the Broncos (9-4) may be the perfect springboard for Walters’ defense entering 2026.
“Fine tuning the expectations and the intensity level and the focus that’s required in those make-or-break moments in games,” Walters said. “I think that’s an area where we’ll grow next year. So the future is bright. I think Coach Fisch has done a great job here, just building culture and teaching football and pouring into the players.
“Washington is a place that’s poised for continued success.”
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.