The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Washington: a football coaching history

Power Program I#15 of 138–
See Washington’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Don James
Peaked at Power Program I
Built by
Don James
National Program II → Power Program I (+30.6)
The fall
Tyrone Willingham
Power Program III → National Program II (−13.8)
Right now
Jedd Fisch
the 5th-best of Washington's 12 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)PhelanWelchOdellOwensJamesLambrightSarkisianPetersen19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–now
Jedd Fischinheritor
Jedd Fisch inherited a Power Program I Washington and won with it.
Power Program I
15–11
2022–2023
Kalen DeBoershort tenure
25–3
2021–2021
Bob Gregoryshort tenure
0–3
2020–2021
Jimmy Lakeshort tenure
7–6
2014–2019
Chris Petersenbuilder
Chris Petersen raised Washington from National Program II to Power Program I.
+18.4
55–26
2013–2013
Marques Tuiasosoposhort tenure
1–0
2009–2013
Steve Sarkisiancaretaker
Steve Sarkisian held Washington at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
34–29
2005–2008
Tyrone Willinghamcaretaker
Tyrone Willingham slid Washington from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.
−13.8
11–37
2003–2004
Keith Gilbertsonshort tenure
7–16
1999–2002
Rick Neuheiselinheritor
Rick Neuheisel inherited a Power Program I Washington and won with it.
Power Program I
33–16
1993–1998
Jim Lambrightinheritor
Jim Lambright inherited a Power Program I Washington and won with it.
Power Program I
44–25
1975–1992
Don Jamestransformer
Don James took Washington from National Program II to Power Program I.
+30.6
150–60
1957–1974
Jim Owensbuilder
Jim Owens raised Washington from National Program III to Power Program III.
+15.7
99–82
1956–1956
Darrell Royalshort tenure
5–5
1953–1955
John Cherbergcaretaker
John Cherberg held Washington at National Program II for 3 seasons.
−9.4
10–18
1948–1952
Howard Odellcaretaker
Howard Odell held Washington at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
23–25
1942–1947
Ralph Welchcaretaker
Ralph Welch held Washington at Power Program III for 5 seasons.
−9.2
23–19
1936–1941
James Phelancaretaker
James Phelan held Washington at Power Program III for 6 seasons.
Power Program III
33–20