The Washington Huskies football team was able to end last season on a strong note with a 38-10 win against the Boise State Broncos in the Los Angeles Bowl on Dec. 13.

The win improved the Huskies' 2025 record to 9-4.

Washington's recent performances, plus a solid group of returners consisting of junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr., sophomore wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck and sophomore offensive lineman John Mills and the addition of the 12th ranked 2026 recruiting class in the country, has led to the program being considered a preseason top 25 team according to several publications.

Williams led the Big Ten in total yards (3,676) last year and had 31 total touchdowns last year in his first full season as a starting quarterback. With him back in the fold, plus the various returners, incoming freshmen and transfer portal acquisitions has led many analysts to believe UW's offense can be competing special in 2026.

However, the Huskies will be looking for another coach to help lead the offense.

According to a report on "X" from Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Washington and offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty are expected to "part ways" ahead of this season.

This is a somewhat shocking development for the Huskies and the coaching staff due to the performance the team had this past season and the synergy Dougherty has had with head coach Jedd Fisch.

Last year, Washington was fourth in the Big Ten in points per game (34.1), fourth in average point differential from opponents (15.4), sixth in passing yards per game (244.5), seventh in rushing yards per game (165.5) and fifth in total yards per game (409.9).

Dougherty has also worked with or under Fisch for the better part of a decade.

Dougherty worked with Fisch at Michigan in 2016; UCLA in 2017; Arizona from 2021-23 and the Huskies from 2024-present.

The four-year break in between the duo's time together at UCLA and Arizona was due to Fisch taking an excursion into the NFL as a senior offensive assistant and assistant offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams from 2018-19 and the quarterbacks coach with the New England Patriots in 2020.

While Fisch was in the NFL, Dougherty continued his role with UCLA as the team's wide receivers coach. He was in that position from 2017-20 before being hired by Fisch as Arizona's passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in '21.

Dougherty was Washington's passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in '24 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in '25.

Fisch has been the Huskies' primary offensive play caller since he was hired and is all but certain to maintain that responsibility regardless of who the team hires or promotes to replace Dougherty.

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