It’s a name that’s been whispered for days now, with an announcement delayed due to a colossal NFL Playoff upset last Saturday in Seattle, but this morning Al Golden made it official – Jedd Fisch is the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Miami.
Fisch, like Golden and defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, is another Jersey boy. A 1998 graduate of the University of Florida, the 34-year old Fisch started as a graduate assistant for the Gators (1999-2000) under Steve Spurrier and spent the next three seasons with the Houston Texans in an assistant-type role.
In 2004 Fisch headed to Baltimore where he was an offensive assistant, promoted to working with quarterbacks and wide receivers the next two seasons. In 2007 he took over quarterbacks for the Ravens and a year later was in Denver, coaching up the Broncos’ wideouts.
Fisch’s first stint as a coordinator came in 2009 with the Minnesota Gophers, where he ran the offense and coached quarterbacks, leading to a one-year stint in Seattle working with QBs.
Next up; offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at The U.
Fisch has certainly job hopped this past decade, but it would appear all signs were pointing to this ambitious up and comer landing a ‘breakout’ gig. Quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant in the NFL certainly has its prestige, but if Fisch is truly looking to go next level, he needs an offense to run and Miami certainly looks like a good fit.
Again Golden continues hiring in his own image, letting go of a fifty-something offensive coordinator – Mark Whipple – and bringing on a fiery young guy ready to make a name for himself. Fisch has Florida ties, a proven track record as an assistant and should fit in nicely with Golden’s recent hires.
SI’s Peter King found the move strange, per a recent tweet – “Seahawks QB coach Jedd Fisch accepted OC/QB coach job at U of Miami … Very, very odd move for a well-regarded assistant.”
Call that a Golden stamp of approval of King doesn’t “get” why a well-regarded assistant would take a collegiate offensive coordinator job over quarterback coach in the NFL.
Like D’Onofrio turning down the head coaching gig at Temple, Brennan Carroll moving cross country to take over recruiting, while coaching up tight ends as well as recent commits – and forty-five planned recruits dropping by in January – many out there are buying what Golden is selling. King may be missing that now, but like some others will see in due time.
Fisch still has to prove himself as his Minnesota stint didn’t knock it out of the park. Still, he runs a pro style offense and will have much more talent in Coral Gables than he did in Minneapolis.
Fisch lacks the resume that Arizona wide receivers coach (and former Rutgers’ offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach) John McNulty did, but with McNulty staying put, Fisch appears to be next in line for Golden and based on how his first month has gone as captain of The U’s ship, the new guy deserves the benefit of the doubt regarding the unknown nature of this hire.
IN OTHER NEWS: It looks like Miami’s lack of depth at tight end will get a much-needed boost as USC senior tight end Blake Ayles is headed to The U. Due to NCAA sanctions against the Trojans, Ayles won’t have to sit out a year and will be ready to play this fall.
Ayles was thinking Miami years back but stayed put in Southern California and signed with the Trojans. Obviously the move of Carroll to Coral Gables helped this transfer take place.
Ayles was a four-star prospect out of Orange Lutheran High in California and was rated one of the nation’s best tight ends entering Signing Day 2008. Injuries have kept him from living up to the hype, though Miami fans are hoping for a one-year stint similar to the one of college basketball star turned NFLer Jimmy Graham, after his 2009 run with the Canes.