The Washington Huskies’ 42-25 victory over Illinois served as a much-needed break for head coach Jedd Fisch. With a 6-2 record, the Huskies look far better than they did last season, when they finished 6-7. Fisch has addressed many of the offensive and defensive shortcomings that troubled the team a year ago. With Demond Williams Jr. as his weapon, it seems like everything is going well for Fisch. But that was not always the case. Long before he ascended in college football, a young Jedd Fisch endured a traumatic experience that nearly cost him his life.

Thad Wells, a former football coach, recounted Fisch’s near-death experience on X in a series of tweets. The story reminds us of the fact that life can be so unpredictable at times. Someone could be going for a morning jog and suddenly feel a knife-like pain in their heart, rendering them unconscious. That’s exactly what happened to the Huskies’ head coach during a morning jog in Houston in 2003.

His aorta, the main artery of the body that supplies oxygenated blood, had torn, and he was rushed to the hospital. Upon arrival, Fisch was immediately sent for emergency surgery. The thing is, a torn aorta carries a survival rate of less than 10 percent, meaning Fisch’s life quite literally hung by a thread. Thad Wells shared that the doctors told Fisch’s family that he would be dead that night itself without an operation.

Fisch went through with the surgery, fighting for his life. After the surgery, he was on a ventilator and his vocal cords were paralyzed, meaning he couldn’t speak. At the time, the 26-year-old was the defensive quality control coach for the Houston Texans under HC Dom Capers.

So when Capers came to visit him at the hospital, Fisch scribbled a question on a napkin asking if he still had the job. Capers, looking at his assistant battling to survive, replied, “Of course you do.” Miraculously, Jedd Fisch returned to coaching with a second chance at life. He believes football saved his life that day, marking the second start of Fisch’s life and coaching career.

Fisch’s journey to Washington

After the close call, Fisch continued his coaching journey. He joined the Baltimore Ravens and then switched to Denver, where he coached Brandon Marshall to All-Pro status. Then he made history with Minnesota by becoming the youngest offensive coordinator in the Big Ten. Before landing at Washington, Fisch coached under John Harbaugh at Michigan, Sean McVay at the Rams, and even under the GOAT himself. Bill Belichick had hired him to help Cam Newton. 

Fisch became the UW HC in January 2024, just days after the program lost the national championship game to Michigan. His first season was not great with the Huskies. It was also expected, as he took over a side in transition after Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama. But unlike other programs where coaches take at least a few seasons to imprint their style, Fisch has had the Huskies in rhythm in just his second year. With just a few games left in the regular season, the Huskies have a chance to claim a position in the top five of their conference. 

The only two losses have come to Michigan and Ohio State. But in other games, Fisch’s side dominated each of its opponents. Next up, they face Wisconsin after a bye in Week 10.

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