Jedd Fisch Says Adding Former Purdue Head Coach to Staff a 'Huge Win' For Washington

It's no secret that Ryan Walters' time at Purdue didn't go according to plan. After two rough years in West Lafayette, the then-38-year-old was back in the job market, hoping to land a new gig. Jedd Fisch didn't hesitate to offer the former head coach a spot as Washington's next defensive coordinator.

At Big Ten Football Media Days on Wednesday, Fisch called the addition of Walters to the staff a "huge win" for Washington, saying the new coordinator brings a lot to the table in Seattle.

"I think he's probably one of, if not the best, defensive coordinators in the country," Fisch said. "To have him with us, with his elite schematics, as well as his personality and ability to connect with players, is a huge win for the University of Washington."

Fisch was quick to mention Walters' success as a defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, working at Illinois under Bret Bielema from 2021-22. In that short amount of time, Walters transformed the Illini defense from one of the worst in the Big Ten to one of the best units in the nation.

"Coach Walters transformed Illinois' defense from No. 97 in the nation (in scoring defense) to No. 1 in his two years there," Fisch said. "(Illinois went) From No. 114 in total defense to No. (3) in his two years."

By the time Walters left Illinois, the Fighting Illini also ranked in the top 10 in pass defense (eighth), run defense (10th), turnovers created (second) and third down stop rate (ninth).

Maybe things didn't go so well in West Lafayette, but Walters certainly earned his chops as a defensive coordinator in Champaign. Fisch is hoping his new coordinator can channel some of that success and help improve Washington's defense entering the 2025 campaign.