Tumultuous week leaves Washington trying to rebuild after title game loss, coach departure

SEATTLE (AP) — In five days, Washington went from the precipice of its first national title in more than three decades to a program in shambles.

The championship game — lost to Michigan.

Its head coach — gone to Alabama.

Its roster — many players headed to the NFL draft, others already saying they’re headed to the transfer portal, including the presumptive next quarterback.

What was as a devastating week for Washington came to a conclusion on Friday when Kalen DeBoer left the school to take the head job at Alabama and the chance at being Nick Saban’s replacement with the Crimson Tide.

DeBoer walked away from the potential of a massive new contract with the Huskies for the opportunity of leading one of the premier programs in the country with resources and cachet that new Washington athletic director Troy Dannen couldn’t match.

But by doing so, DeBoer left a program facing an uncertain future and major challenges headed to the Big Ten

beginning the following season with a roster that, by the time a new coach is appointed, may be dismantled.

“Sometimes we have to be reminded it’s all a business,” edge rusher Zion Tuputola-Fetui wrote on social media on Friday.

“We are sad to see him leave and we did all that we could to keep Kalen at UW,” Dannen said in a statement Friday night.

A 14-1 campaign that culminated in a national championship game is difficult to find anything negative about. Despite Michigan’s 34-13 victory on Monday, there were still hopes that Washington would mount one more comeback and capture the school’s first championship since 1991, even in the early minutes of the fourth quarter.

But the success of the season raised DeBoer’s profile to the point of being on Alabama’s short list when Saban decided to step away. Throw in that Dannen is new in Seattle — he was hired in October — and it created a circumstance where DeBoer leaving for a premier job was a possibility.

None of that could have been expected when DeBoer was hired by former AD Jen Cohen and inherited a 4-8 program. The sudden turnaround of the past two years created rabid optimism from fans who hoped that DeBoer would be the next version of Don James, who regularly would have Washington in the national conversation.

Instead, he’s headed for the Southeastern Conference, and Washington’s pending move to the Big Ten appears to be facing massive tests for whoever takes over next.

Numerous athletes with pro prospects were set to leave after Washington competed for a national championship.And it has, as evidenced by the NFL draft declarations made by players like Dillon Johnson, Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Bralen Trice. Additionally, the Huskies will not have quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Following the DeBoer revelation, a few key players involved in Washington’s season-long success quickly announced their intention to use the transfer site. Furthermore, Washington’s future is currently uncertain despite anticipated reinforcements via the portal indicating that their commitment has been reopened. This includes Tre Watson, the tight end, Ethan Barr, and quarterback Will Rogers, who was supposed to replace Penix.

The easiest way for Washington to stop any potential flood of departures or decommitments and attempt to build on this season would be rapidly filling the opening. The likes of Arizona’s Jedd Fisch, Iowa State’s Matt

As outside candidates, Campbell and Lance Leipold of Kansas will be mentioned. If he doesn’t follow DeBoer, Ryan Grubb will be the clear choice within the organization. JaMarcus Shephard ought to be given the same respect.

But it’s a far different place than what Washington anticipated when it left the field in Houston, less than a week ago.

“Given our recent success, our impending admission to the Big Ten, our ardent supporters and fanbase, and a top-tier university, we have one of the best head coaching jobs in all of college football,” Dannen remarked.