Jedd Fisch. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Aftershocks of HC Jedd Fisch's departure rattling Arizona

By Bennett Silvyn | Last updated Jan 16, 2024 1:09 PM ET

The abrupt departure of head football coach Jedd Fisch for Washington has Arizona Wildcats supporters fuming.

On Saturday, Fisch had agreed to a restructured contract with a pay boost with Arizona, per the Arizona Daily Star. By Sunday, he was gone after agreeing to become Washington's head coach.

Players swiftly took to social media to express anger and frustration.

Next time you fans judge players for putting themselves and their families first. Remember that’s how the business work
— NOFOAGATOTOA (@sio_nofo) January 14, 2024

pic.twitter.com/3sYsj3vUou
— Dylan Wyatt™ (@PresidentialDyl) January 14, 2024

Washington athletic director Troy Dannen flew to Tucson to complete the deal at Fisch's Tucson house, which had a "Go Cats" sign next to the front door.

The Top Dawg is a Done Deal @UW_Football #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/bLhKI1cmWq
— Troy Dannen (@UWHuskies_AD) January 15, 2024

Les Fifita — the father of starting quarterback Noah Fifita — released a statement that encapsulated the rollercoaster journey experienced by families of Arizona players.

Like everyone else, finding the right words has been hard. So, if it’s challenging for us, it must be even harder for these 18-23-year-olds. As parents, this is the life aspect for which we do our best to prepare our children. Please pray for these young men as they navigate…
— lesfifita (@lesfifita) January 15, 2024

Arizona supporters are justified in their frustration. They supported Fisch and the program through a challenging one-win season in 2021 and a modest five-win season in 2022. In 2023, Arizona — which moves to the Big 12 next season — celebrated a 10-win season, its first since 2014.

The prospect of making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, buoyed by the expanded 12-team format for the next season, now appears highly problematic.

It's conceivable Fisch could take many players with him to Washington via the transfer portal. Standout running back Jonah Coleman has already put his name in the portal.

Now, the focus shifts to the urgent task of finding a new head coach. The program is in a race against time to secure a suitable replacement and retain as many players as possible.

Bennett Silvyn

Bennett Silvyn expects to graduate in May 2024 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and minors in business, marketing and sports management. Silvyn has interned in marketing and social media for the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission, as a reporter for Arizona Foothills Magazine, in sponsorships for the Arizona Rattlers and in social and digital media for FC Tucson. Silvyn has also reported for the Walter Cronkite Sports Network and The State Press

More must-reads: