Two Major CFB Coaches Emerge As Top Candidates To Be Next Washington Head Coach

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On Friday, Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer was named the next head coach at Alabama. The Huskies were expected to name offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as the next head coach, but he announced his departure on Saturday.

Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times reported that two candidates have emerged as favorites to be the next head coach at Washington. His report was also confirmed by ESPN’s Chris Low.

“Two names I’m hearing consistently for Washington: Kansas’ Lance Leipold and Arizona’s Jedd Fisch,” Vorel posted on social media. “Not saying they’re the only two … but worth noting that both currently coach star QBs from the West Coast with multiple seasons of remaining eligibility. Just saying.”

Fisch is 16-21 over three seasons at Arizona but has helped rebuild the Wildcats from a one-win team to a 10-win program. He led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. Fisch also served as an assistant in the NFL for multiple seasons, including as the quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots.

Leipold is 17-21 over three seasons at Kansas but led the Jayhawks to nine wins this season after defeating UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. He won six NCAA Division III national titles at Wisconsin-Whitewater, finishing his eight-year stint with a 109-6 overall record.

Multiple reports surfaced on Sunday that Leipold is expected to stay at Kansas. This would suggest that Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch is the top candidate to be the next Washington head coach.