Jedd Fisch and Washington Huskies hoping for more in second Big Ten season

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Jedd Fisch and Washington Huskies hoping for more in second Big Ten season

2025-07-30 09:03 Last Updated At：09:11

SEATTLE (AP) — If there’s anything Jedd Fisch has learned heading into his second season as Washington coach, it’s that the Huskies will often have their hands full in the Big Ten.

Washington received quite the introduction in as much last year, going 4-5 in conference play as part of a 6-7 campaign under the 49-year-old Fisch.

“We have a hard conference. We have really good teams,” Fisch told reporters Tuesday morning. “We have a lot of big-name programs that have spent years and years building up rosters, coaching staffs, facilities, fan base, etc., to be able to prepare themselves to play in the Big Ten.”

Perhaps the Huskies weren’t quite ready for conference heavyweights like Penn State and Oregon last season, as they lost to both teams by at least four touchdowns. But 18 months removed from being hired as the 31st head coach in Washington history, Fisch is confident in the direction of the program.

Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who appeared in 13 games for the Huskies as a freshman and completed more than 78% of his passes, is slated to be the starter this fall, much to Fisch’s delight.

Outside of on-field personnel, though, Fisch alluded to some of the changes within the program being beneficial — like Jimmie Dougherty getting promoted to offensive coordinator, and former Purdue coach Ryan Walters being hired as the new defensive coordinator.

“It’s now nice to feel grounded, and it’s nice to feel like we’re going into year two,” Fisch said. “We know our team really well. We know our program really well. We understand the community really well. And now, I think we’re at a point where we can really take that next big step.”

To do so, the Huskies will still have to sort out some position battles over the next month-plus leading up to the season opener Aug. 30 against Colorado State. One position of particular interest is wide receiver, as Fisch stressed the need to figure out a four-man rotation, which he intends to utilize in 2025.

Fisch said one spot can essentially be set aside for Denzel Boston, who was second on the team in receptions (63) and yards receiving (834) last year. Outside of that, it’s a relatively wide-open competition, featuring the likes of Rashid Williams, Audric Harris, Kevin Greed Jr. and Penn State transfer Omari Evans, among others.

Fisch also anticipates a good amount of competition in the trenches, describing a “big battle” looming on the offensive line. He highlighted Paki Finau, Champ Taulealea, John Mills, Zachary Henning, Drew Azzopardi, Carver Willis, Max McCree and both Landen and Geirean Hatchett as linemen to keep tabs on.

“We’re talking about 10 guys that have had experience, or we believe are at an elite level as a freshman that can go compete immediately to make an impact,” Fisch said. “So, it’s going to be a lot different look than it was a year ago at this time.”

Should Fisch have his way, the Huskies will hold up a lot better this fall than they did in 2024. It remains to be seen whether Washington will be able to hang with the bellwether programs on its schedule like Ohio State and Michigan, but Fisch is just grateful his school is in the Big Ten.

“We have a really, really good conference with really, really good coaches, really good administrators,” Fisch said. “We have a commissioner (Tony Petitti) that understands how to take us to the next level. So, we’re really positioned exceptionally well.”

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Eagles' Sirianni and Roseman offer few details on ouster of Patullo and what they want in new OC

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

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