By: Mike Huesmann
With the impending news that Kalen DeBoer is off to Alabama, the Huskies have a major decision to make. In two years in Seattle, DeBoer led the Huskies to a 25-3 record and an appearance in the national title game this season. He won multiple NAIA national titles, was good as OC at Indiana, and a stellar head coach at Fresno and Washington. The timing here is pretty bad for Washington, who are not that far removed from the tumultuous Jimmy Lake years. A whiff here and they could regress quickly, but a successful hire and the transition to the Big 10 could go smoothly and they keep the momentum of 2023 going. Here are five candidates who we could see mentioned for this job.
Ryan Grubb
Offensive Coordinator, Washington
Grubb has been Kalen DeBoer’s right hand man since their days in NAIA and their’s no one he trusts more, especially to polish Michael Penix Jr. Stops at FCS power South Dakota State, (then) NAIA power Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan, and Fresno have all seen offensive increases and a dynamic output with Grubb in charge. Last fall in year 1 with the Huskies his offense led the nation in passing yards per game and first downs per game. 2023 saw them 14-1 and with Penix as a Heisman contender. Look for him to be a candidate early and go to Alabama if he doesn’t get the job.
Pete Carroll
Former HC, Seattle Seahawks
Carroll has won at the college and pro levels. If you want a guy who can transition you to the Big 10, keep the momentum going, ang give you 3-4 stable years, he’s a good option. This wouldn’t be a 10-year possibility or long term, but if Washington is worried about dropping off in a hurry, then he would be a good guy to prevent that. Does he still have the desire to coach? Would he want to coach in college? Both of these questions need to be answered before this would happen. He’s as magnetic as they come, and it seems like nearly everyone who plays for him loves him.
https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1745894683325153411
Jedd Fisch
Head Coach, Arizona
Another former UCLA assistant coach. In 2021 Jedd Fisch took over an abysmal Arizona team, went 1-11 in year 1 but has barely set a foot wrong since then. A much improved 5-7 last year has been followed by a team that finished 10-3 in 2023. Fisch appears to found his QB in Noah Fifita, has multiple RB’s contributing, and top notch WR’s in McMillan and Cowing. That being said, the trenches are where Fisch has built from. Both OL and DL’s are improved and setting the tone for the squad, this is an appealing way to build and the hogs usually travel as they say. Is Jedd waiting on the Michigan job to open, where he was once an assistant?
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Barry Odom
Head Coach, UNLV
Barry Odom is leading a resurgence in Las Vegas, a place where few have been able to win games. The Rebels played for the MWC title and made a bowl game. He had an average stint at Missouri, which was surrounded by much turmoil that was not his doing. The job he is doing this year will dispel all notions about his ability, though. Odom spent time before UNLV at Arkansas as the DC. His Rebel team this year played stout defense and were deadly in the run game, using all kinds of guys to carry the ball.
https://twitter.com/JosephManero/status/1745892249630658871
Jamey Chadwell
Liberty, Head Coach
Liberty head coach and former Coastal Carolina boss, Jamey Chadwell, has barely set a foot wrong as head coach in recent years. His Flames finished 13-1 with the sole loss coming to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. It is a mystery to me that he isn’t a P5 head coach yet, but Liberty certainly has the resources to keep him happy. Could this be the P5 job he finally lands? We know from Washington’s history that they don’t mind hiring G5 head coaches.
