Florida coaching search: Heather Dinich says Gators should 'start' with Washington's Jedd Fisch

Jedd Fisch is the starting point for the Florida Gators coaching search, if ESPN’s Heather Dinich had her choice. The Washington head coach is in the middle of his second season with the Huskies.

After completing rebuilding Arizona, Fisch took over for Kalen DeBoer at Washington when the latter left for Alabama. The cupboard was bare and he has since rebuilt the Huskies rather quickly.

Fisch to Florida makes sense, even if it’ll be his third job in the last four years. A Florida alum, Fisch might be the target at some point for the Gators.

“Well, I think you would start with Washington coach Jedd Fisch, who is a Florida alum,” Dinich said on SportsCenter. “He was a student assistant at GA under Steve Spurrier. I’ve been following his career forever. He was the offensive coordinator at Miami. He knows the state of Florida. He was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he’s done a terrific job at Washington. It makes perfect sense. And don’t forget, Washington was a complete rebuild. I believe that he is happy there, but if there was a destination job that he might consider, Florida would probably be it.”

Fisch is 11-9 at Washington, including 5-2 this season with the Huskies. He led them to a 6-7 record and Sun Bowl appearance in 2024. At Arizona, he started 1-11, but then went 5-7 and 10-3, finishing No. 11 in the country in 2023 with the Wildcats.

Fisch is on numerous Florida hot boards. He graduated from the university in 1998 and coached the following two years under Steve Spurrier. 

Being around college football and the NFL, Fisch has plenty of coaching experience to fill numerous resumes. He’s got it going rather well in the Big Ten out west, but perhaps Florida is where his heart is at.
Currently, Fisch has yet to comment on the opening amid speculation. The focus is on No. 23 Illinois coming to town Saturday.

“The standards and expectations for Gators football are to win championships — not simply to compete,” AD Scott Stricklin said after firing Billy Napier. “We exist to win, and will not settle for less.  UF has never been more invested in the success of this football program – elite facilities, robust NIL opportunities and comprehensive support for our student athletes and staff – than we are today.

“The University of Florida is a destination – a place where people come to achieve excellence.  With our resources, passionate fan base, and unwavering commitment, we are determined to return Gators football to championship form.  I understand and accept the responsibility to deliver a football program that reflects the greatness of this university and I thank Gator Nation for their continued support as we begin this next chapter together.”