We’re now in the second week of the Arizona Football head coaching search, and with more names popping up, Jedd Fisch is emerging as a potential candidate.
We’re finally into week two of the Arizona Football head coaching search, and it seems we could be winding down in the search. With more serious candidates emerging, one of those candidates is Jedd Fisch.
Making news in recent days, Coach Fisch is reportedly a personal friend of UofA President Dr. Robert Robbins according to Mercury News reporter John Wilner, which is why he has emerged as a head coaching candidate.
Arizona Wildcats
For those that don’t recognize the name, Jedd is the current quarterback’s coach with the New England Patriots, and he has had a long career in the NFL and college coaching ranks.
A relatively young coach, Jedd has spent time mostly coaching offenses, quarterbacks, and wide receivers for quite some time now, and he has surely been steadily climbing the coaching ranks.
Previously having served as an interim coach at UCLA in 2017, it seems Jedd is ready for his opportunity as a head coach, and with Arizona’s recent opening, and his previous ties to the Pac-12, naturally this one makes sense.
If I am being honest, I know he is not going to be a popular candidate amongst fans and alumni, nonetheless, it looks like there is some legitimate interest here by Arizona, and either way, this program is going to give him a long look.
Because Jedd is a serious candidate for the Wildcats, we take a look at his coaching resume.
Jedd Fisch
Age: 44
Current Role: Quarterback Coach with the New England Patriots
Alma Mater: Florida
Record: 1-1 (as Interim head coach for UCLA in 2017)
Coaching Experience:
- Did not play HS or College Football
- Gainesville (FL) PKY (1997) – Defensive Coordinator
- New Jersey Red Dogs (1998) – Wide Receivers Coach/Quality Control
- Florida (1999–2000) – Graduate Assistant
- Houston Texans (2002–2003) – Defensive Quality Control
- Baltimore Ravens (2004–2007) – Offensive Assistant
- Denver Broncos (2008) – Wide Receivers Coach
- Minnesota (2009) – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
- Seattle Seahawks (2010) – Quarterbacks Coach
- Miami (FL) (2011–2012) – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2013–2014) – Offensive Coordinator
- Michigan (2015–16) – Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers
- UCLA (2017) – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Interim Head Coach
- Los Angeles Rams (2018–19) – Senior Offensive Asst./ Asst. Offensive Coordinator
- New England Patriots (2020–Present) – Quarterbacks Coach
On paper, he looks like a solid candidate, after all, he has A LOT of coaching experience, particularly at the professional level that could appeal to potential recruits. Additionally, he seems to have a great offensive mind that could translate well in the Pac-12.
However, let’s not forget a couple of important things here. First off, most of his coaching experience is at the professional level, and he’s also coached at big programs that are not here. Is he ready and willing to grind it out at a place like Arizona with fewer resources and more challenges?
Does he also have the chops to elevate the recruiting at Arizona, and is he equipped to guide the Wildcats out of the Pac-12 cellar?
Perhaps he has all the right qualities and would work out great, but based on Arizona’s needs of bringing in a coach passionate about Arizona, understanding the tradition, and being able to really elevate the Cats, it seems like Coach Fisch may not be that guy, especially if his goal were to be to use the Cats as a stepping stone.
At Zona Zealots, we’re interested to see how the coaching search plays out and will continue to follow and bring updates the best we can. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!