Washington coach Jedd Fisch stays mum about contract situation

Washington coach Jedd Fisch walks the sideline during a game against Rutgers last month. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)

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By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter

Jedd Fisch’s answers to questions surrounding his future have remained consistent. He’s not thinking about anything months down the line. Not making any pledges about where he will or won’t be coaching. 

Simply because all of Fisch’s focus is on No. 24 Washington’s upcoming game and the rest of the season. The UW coach clarified that position again Monday when asked if he’d been approached or had any discussions with athletics administrators about an extension or a new deal.

“We haven’t talked about any of that,” he said. “We’re just focused on beating Wisconsin.” 

Fisch and Washington remain in a strong position coming out of their bye week. The Huskies control their own destiny, with a place in the 12-team College Football Playoff certainly within reach if they can win their remaining four games. UW’s stretch run begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, when it travels to play Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. 

It might seem early for UW to consider seeking an extension for Fisch, who is nearing the end of his second season on Montlake. The 49-year-old coach signed a seven-year contract in 2024 to lead the Huskies after replacing Kalen DeBoer. 

But Fisch’s buyout, currently $10 million according to his contract acquired by The Seattle Times, drops to $6 million on Jan. 9, 2026. 

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His total compensation without bonuses in 2025 will be $7,575,024. That ranked 22nd nationally, but ninth in the Big Ten according to USA Today’s college head coach salary list. 

Behind Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, Illinois’ Bret Bielema — who Fisch and Washington beat 42-25 on Oct. 25 — and Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, UW’s opponent this week who is 15-19 during four seasons with the Badgers and hasn’t won a Big Ten game since Oct. 19, 2024. Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith, currently 0-6 in conference play, ranks 10th among Big Ten coaching salaries, right behind Fisch. 

The college coaching carousel has continued to expand. Louisiana State fired Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 and Auburn followed soon after, dismissing Hugh Freeze on Sunday. LSU notably owes Kelly a buyout around $54 million, topping the number Penn State set earlier this year when it bought out James Franklin for around $49 million. 

Fisch declined to speak about specific buyout situations, but noted coaches have been given greater expectations and shorter timelines to achieve them in recent years, which he credited to the rise of large buyouts. Washington would owe Fisch around $33 million if he were fired without cause at this point in the season, a highly unlikely scenario considering UW’s high level of performance. 

The UW coach added many of the responsibilities that fall on a college football coach — personnel recruiting, marketing, player development, game planning — are spread out among many people at the NFL level. That’s before adding things such as revenue sharing and name, image and likeness opportunities that have drastically shifted college football’s landscape. 

“I think it’s the amount of different things you’re doing in college football,” Fisch said, “is one of the main reasons why the salaries and the buyouts have become what they are.”

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Offensive contributor suffers injury setback

Before entering the bye week, Fisch said he was excited to welcome back two key offensive players from injury: seventh-year tight end Quentin Moore (concussion) and sophomore wide receiver Rashid Williams (collarbone). 

Speaking Monday, Fisch confirmed Moore, who practiced throughout the bye week, remains expected to return against Wisconsin on Saturday. 

But Williams, who’d missed six games after being injured against UC Davis on Sept. 6, will not be available after sustaining a hand injury, Fisch said. The UW coach added Williams will miss “at least a few weeks.” 

“Rashid got hurt in practice last week,” Fisch said. “Will not be able to play.” 

It’s an unfortunate blow for Williams, who underwent collarbone surgery during UW’s first bye. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore receiver won a starting role after enjoying convincing performances during spring practices and fall camp, but has been forced to watch from the sideline since UW’s first offensive play against UC Davis. 

He registered five catches for 54 yards in two games this season. 

While Williams has tried to recover, UW has leaned heavily on true freshman wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck. The 5-11, 180-pound wideout has 24 catches for 394 yards receiving and four touchdowns this season, and is coming off his first multiscore performance against Illinois. Fisch had previously said he was considering rotating Williams and Roebuck against Wisconsin, but will likely stick with the true freshman from Marana, Ariz., following Williams’ set back. 

Extra points:

• Fisch did not offer any updates about junior edge rusher Isaiah Ward (lower body). The Arizona transfer did not play against Illinois, and Fisch previously said he’d be held out of practice during the bye week. But Monday, Fisch said Ward’s availability remains unknown and the coaching staff will continue to evaluate him before facing Wisconsin. 
• Washington’s home game against Purdue on Nov. 15 will kick off at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FS1.

Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.