Huskies Coach Jedd Fisch: 'This Team Was Built, Not Bought' Ahead of 2026 Season

By John Damon | Just The News Iowa

Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch delivered a pointed message at Big Ten Media Day on Thursday: his program is winning through player development and loyalty, not through the checkbook. In a wide-ranging press conference, Fisch emphasized a roster built on high school recruits and retained talent, taking a clear stand against the transfer-portal-and-NIL arms race that has reshaped college football.

“This team was not bought; this team was built,” Fisch said. “This team was built from 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds.” The comments come as speculation swirls about roster spending across the Big Ten, with Fisch insisting his program’s success is rooted in culture, not cash.

Fisch Defends Player-First Approach

Fisch opened by thanking his family, university leadership, and players, but quickly pivoted to a broader critique of the current college sports landscape. “Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost track of the players and spent so much time talking about NIL and the transfer portal,” he said. “We spend so much time talking about the ever-changing environment, Congressional bills. We’ve lost track of the very special kids that represent college athletics.”

The Huskies return 58 of 101 roster players, including starters at 20 of 22 positions. Fisch noted the team has 400 career college starts among its returners, yet remains one of the youngest in the Big Ten. “We retain our players here at the University of Washington,” he said. “We do not bring in mercenaries. We are about a program that recruits high school players.”

Key Players Highlighted: Manu, Williams, Hatchett

Fisch brought three players to Media Day, each representing the program’s developmental philosophy. Linebacker Jacob Manu, an All-Pac-12 performer now on the Preseason All-Big Ten list, was Fisch’s first Division I offer at Arizona. Quarterback Demond Williams, who has thrown for over 3,000 yards and rushed for 600, is entering his second year as a starter. “As good of a player as Demond is, his leadership is even better,” Fisch said. Center Landen Hatchett, a Ferndale native and holdover from the 2023 national championship-contending team, played through a broken wrist last season.

Big Ten Travel and Physicality a Factor

When asked about the challenges of cross-country travel in the expanded Big Ten, Fisch framed it as preparation for the NFL. “It’s about the National Football League mentality, that you have to be ready to go from LA to New York,” he said. Fisch noted the conference’s physical style: “There’s a physicality in the Big Ten. There’s a toughness. There’s an edge. There’s a wear and tear on the player’s body.”

The Huskies open the season on a Sunday, a scheduling quirk Fisch sees as another sign of the league’s pro-style approach. “We play through three time zones. We play on Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays,” he said. “Us starting the season off on a Sunday just represents one more indication of being just like the National Football League.”

Coaching Staff Stability a Point of Pride

Fisch highlighted that all 20 coaching families who moved from Tucson two years ago are still with the program. “There’s not one coach that chose to leave our program this season,” he said. The only addition was Matt Cavanaugh, with JP Losman earning a promotion. Fisch called his staff “championship coaches” with NFL experience, including Super Bowl winners.

Looking Ahead: ‘Raise the Bar’

Fisch closed by outlining the program’s core values: respect, accountability, integrity, selflessness, and enthusiasm — spelling “raise.” “We are looking to improve every single day. We are looking to get closer. We are looking to build upon our success,” he said. “We are certainly looking to raise the bar this year.”

For Iowa fans, Fisch’s message resonates with the values of hard work, loyalty, and building from the ground up — a philosophy familiar to the state’s agricultural and community-driven culture. As the Big Ten grows more competitive, the Huskies’ model may offer a blueprint for programs that prioritize development over dollars.