There's a teleconference at 10 a.m. to talk about the hiring, but here's the news release from UCLA first:
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Head Football Coach Jim Mora announced today the hiring of Jedd Fisch as the team’s offensive coordinator. Fisch, 40, who spent the past two seasons as the University of Michigan’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks/wide receivers coach, brings nearly two decades of coaching experience to Westwood, having worked alongside collegiate and NFL head coaches the likes of Steve Spurrier, Dom Capers, Brian Billick, Mike Shanahan, Pete Carroll, Gus Bradley and Jim Harbaugh, among others.
“Jedd, in a relatively short amount of time, has earned the respect of some of the game’s greatest offensive minds,” said Mora. “At each of his stops, he has made those teams better while demonstrating a remarkable ability to connect with the young men he has coached. I want to welcome Jedd, his wife Amber and his daughters Zaylee, Ashlee and Kendall to the Bruin family. We couldn’t be more excited and think Jedd is an exceptional fit for this program.”
“UCLA is known for attracting high-caliber and high-character student-athletes,” said Fisch. “The opportunity to mentor these types of young men is extremely exciting, as is the chance to work with Coach Mora. I’ve said many times how fortunate I have been throughout my career to learn from some tremendous mentors, and this opportunity is no different. My family and I cannot wait to get out to Westwood and hit the ground running.”
In his two seasons at Michigan, Fisch helped Wilton Speight earn third-team All-Big Ten quarterback honors in his first year as a starter in 2016 while in 2015, quarterback Jake Rudock became the second quarterback in school history to pass for 3,000 yards (3,017). Also in 2015, Jake Butt, Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh became the first trio of receivers in school history to eclipse the 50-reception and 500-yard receiving mark in a season, and the offense surpassed 3,000 passing yards for the sixth time in school history (3,090 yards, 5th all-time at Michigan). This past season, Michigan’s offense reached the end zone 59 times, the most of any Wolverine team in the modern era, and ranked in the top 30 nationally of nine offensive categories: turnovers lost (6th), fourth down conversions (10th), scoring offense (12th), interceptions (13th), red zone offense (15th), fumbles lost (16th), completion percent- age (26th), sacks allowed (28th) and rushing offense (30th).
Prior to his time at Michigan, Fisch served two seasons as offensive coordinator for a young Jacksonville Jaguars team. In his first season with the Jaguars (2013), Fisch guided the offense to improvements in nearly every category from the first eight games to the final eight games, including 31st to eighth in red zone offense and doubling its points per game total. In 2014, Fisch mentored rookie quarterback Blake Bortles, helping him to a 58.9 completion percentage and nearly 3,000 yards of passing in 13 starts. Bortles led all NFL QBs with a 7.48 average per rush, and under Fisch's tutelage, cut down his interceptions to three over the last six games of season after throwing 14 in his first eight games. Bortles also completed 37 passes of 25-plus yards, second-most among rookie quarterbacks. Additionally, Fisch developed two rookie receivers in 2014 that did something no one else had done in NFL history: Allen Hurns (51-677, six touchdowns) and Allen Robinson (48-548, two touchdowns) became the first rookie duo in NFL history with at least 48 receptions each.
Fisch spent the two prior seasons (2011-12) at the University of Miami as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. In 2012, the Hurricanes scored more than 40 points on six occasions and averaged 31.4 points and 440.2 yards per game. Under Fisch's direction in 2012, quarterback Stephen Morris as a first-year starter threw for a career-high 3,345 passing yards and set a single-season total offense record with 3,415 yards. In his first season, Fisch tutored quarterback Jacory Harris, who solidified himself as one of the best signal-callers in Miami and ACC history. Harris finished with a single-season school record 65.0 completion percentage while throwing for 20 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Miami's offense averaged 26.5 points per game and amassed 4,533 yards of total offense in 2011.
Prior to joining Miami, Fisch served as quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and worked with three-time Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck. Fisch joined the Seahawks after serving the 2009 season as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Minnesota, where he helped the team earn a spot in the Insight Bowl.
In 2008, Fisch was the wide receivers coach at Denver under Mike Shanahan where he tutored Pro Bowl wideout Brandon Marshall to a then career-high 104 receptions for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns. Prior to joining the Broncos, Fisch spent four seasons in Baltimore (2004-07). He was the Ravens' assistant quarterbacks coach in 2007 after serving as the assistant quarterbacks/wide receivers coach from 2005-06 and offensive assistant in 2004. In 2006, the Ravens posted a 13-3 record and won the AFC North. Steve McNair received Pro Bowl honors after setting a franchise record for completion percentage (64.0).
Fisch began his NFL coaching career with the Houston Texans where he served three seasons (2001-03) as an assistant to head coach Dom Capers. Fisch served two seasons (1999-2000) as a graduate assistant under Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida while obtaining a master's degree in sports management. During those two seasons, the Gators advanced to the Citrus (1999) and Sugar (2000) bowls in addition to winning the SEC championship in 2000.
A native of Livingston, N.J., Fisch earned a degree in criminology from Florida in 1998.
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Notable Quotes on UCLA Football Naming Jedd Fisch Offensive Coordinator
Brian Billick, Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens (1999-2007):
“Jedd Fisch is one of the brightest and best coaches I have ever had work for me. His energy, knowledge and focus are second to none. He has worked with some of the great coaches in this industry including Steve Spurrier, Mike Shanahan, Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh. UCLA is getting a great coach.”
Mike Shanahan, Head Coach of the Denver Broncos (1995-2008):
“Jedd has tremendous energy and charisma and is well respected by his players. Not only does he have the ability to relate to everyone, his knowledge of the game will impress everyone. This is a great hire by Jim Mora.”
Pete Carroll, Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks (2010-present):
“Jedd is really sharp. He’s a brilliant offensive mind who brings a wide-open versatile attack. He’s going to do a great job.”
Gus Bradley, Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-2016):
“Jedd has an exceptional football mind. He’s smart, dedicated and a tireless worker that will relate to his players very well. He has gained a lot of experience through his years and will add to the passion of UCLA Football.”
Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines (2015-present):
“Jedd Fisch is a talented offensive mind who groomed a new starting quarterback for us each year that he was at Michigan. The UCLA coaching staff will be receiving someone who possesses a wealth of knowledge, great enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Jedd’s reputation as a relentless coast-to-coast recruiter will unquestionably benefit the Bruins going forward. I wish Jedd, Amber and the Fisch family nothing but success and prosperity in the Pac-12 as part of the UCLA Bruins Football coaching staff.”
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Head Football Coach Jim Mora announced today the hiring of Jedd Fisch as the team’s offensive coordinator. Fisch, 40, who spent the past two seasons as the University of Michigan’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks/wide receivers coach, brings nearly two decades of coaching experience to Westwood, having worked alongside collegiate and NFL head coaches the likes of Steve Spurrier, Dom Capers, Brian Billick, Mike Shanahan, Pete Carroll, Gus Bradley and Jim Harbaugh, among others.
“Jedd, in a relatively short amount of time, has earned the respect of some of the game’s greatest offensive minds,” said Mora. “At each of his stops, he has made those teams better while demonstrating a remarkable ability to connect with the young men he has coached. I want to welcome Jedd, his wife Amber and his daughters Zaylee, Ashlee and Kendall to the Bruin family. We couldn’t be more excited and think Jedd is an exceptional fit for this program.”
“UCLA is known for attracting high-caliber and high-character student-athletes,” said Fisch. “The opportunity to mentor these types of young men is extremely exciting, as is the chance to work with Coach Mora. I’ve said many times how fortunate I have been throughout my career to learn from some tremendous mentors, and this opportunity is no different. My family and I cannot wait to get out to Westwood and hit the ground running.”
In his two seasons at Michigan, Fisch helped Wilton Speight earn third-team All-Big Ten quarterback honors in his first year as a starter in 2016 while in 2015, quarterback Jake Rudock became the second quarterback in school history to pass for 3,000 yards (3,017). Also in 2015, Jake Butt, Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh became the first trio of receivers in school history to eclipse the 50-reception and 500-yard receiving mark in a season, and the offense surpassed 3,000 passing yards for the sixth time in school history (3,090 yards, 5th all-time at Michigan). This past season, Michigan’s offense reached the end zone 59 times, the most of any Wolverine team in the modern era, and ranked in the top 30 nationally of nine offensive categories: turnovers lost (6th), fourth down conversions (10th), scoring offense (12th), interceptions (13th), red zone offense (15th), fumbles lost (16th), completion percent- age (26th), sacks allowed (28th) and rushing offense (30th).
Prior to his time at Michigan, Fisch served two seasons as offensive coordinator for a young Jacksonville Jaguars team. In his first season with the Jaguars (2013), Fisch guided the offense to improvements in nearly every category from the first eight games to the final eight games, including 31st to eighth in red zone offense and doubling its points per game total. In 2014, Fisch mentored rookie quarterback Blake Bortles, helping him to a 58.9 completion percentage and nearly 3,000 yards of passing in 13 starts. Bortles led all NFL QBs with a 7.48 average per rush, and under Fisch's tutelage, cut down his interceptions to three over the last six games of season after throwing 14 in his first eight games. Bortles also completed 37 passes of 25-plus yards, second-most among rookie quarterbacks. Additionally, Fisch developed two rookie receivers in 2014 that did something no one else had done in NFL history: Allen Hurns (51-677, six touchdowns) and Allen Robinson (48-548, two touchdowns) became the first rookie duo in NFL history with at least 48 receptions each.
Fisch spent the two prior seasons (2011-12) at the University of Miami as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. In 2012, the Hurricanes scored more than 40 points on six occasions and averaged 31.4 points and 440.2 yards per game. Under Fisch's direction in 2012, quarterback Stephen Morris as a first-year starter threw for a career-high 3,345 passing yards and set a single-season total offense record with 3,415 yards. In his first season, Fisch tutored quarterback Jacory Harris, who solidified himself as one of the best signal-callers in Miami and ACC history. Harris finished with a single-season school record 65.0 completion percentage while throwing for 20 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Miami's offense averaged 26.5 points per game and amassed 4,533 yards of total offense in 2011.
Prior to joining Miami, Fisch served as quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and worked with three-time Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck. Fisch joined the Seahawks after serving the 2009 season as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Minnesota, where he helped the team earn a spot in the Insight Bowl.
In 2008, Fisch was the wide receivers coach at Denver under Mike Shanahan where he tutored Pro Bowl wideout Brandon Marshall to a then career-high 104 receptions for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns. Prior to joining the Broncos, Fisch spent four seasons in Baltimore (2004-07). He was the Ravens' assistant quarterbacks coach in 2007 after serving as the assistant quarterbacks/wide receivers coach from 2005-06 and offensive assistant in 2004. In 2006, the Ravens posted a 13-3 record and won the AFC North. Steve McNair received Pro Bowl honors after setting a franchise record for completion percentage (64.0).
Fisch began his NFL coaching career with the Houston Texans where he served three seasons (2001-03) as an assistant to head coach Dom Capers. Fisch served two seasons (1999-2000) as a graduate assistant under Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida while obtaining a master's degree in sports management. During those two seasons, the Gators advanced to the Citrus (1999) and Sugar (2000) bowls in addition to winning the SEC championship in 2000.
A native of Livingston, N.J., Fisch earned a degree in criminology from Florida in 1998.
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Notable Quotes on UCLA Football Naming Jedd Fisch Offensive Coordinator
Brian Billick, Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens (1999-2007):
“Jedd Fisch is one of the brightest and best coaches I have ever had work for me. His energy, knowledge and focus are second to none. He has worked with some of the great coaches in this industry including Steve Spurrier, Mike Shanahan, Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh. UCLA is getting a great coach.”
Mike Shanahan, Head Coach of the Denver Broncos (1995-2008):
“Jedd has tremendous energy and charisma and is well respected by his players. Not only does he have the ability to relate to everyone, his knowledge of the game will impress everyone. This is a great hire by Jim Mora.”
Pete Carroll, Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks (2010-present):
“Jedd is really sharp. He’s a brilliant offensive mind who brings a wide-open versatile attack. He’s going to do a great job.”
Gus Bradley, Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-2016):
“Jedd has an exceptional football mind. He’s smart, dedicated and a tireless worker that will relate to his players very well. He has gained a lot of experience through his years and will add to the passion of UCLA Football.”
Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines (2015-present):
“Jedd Fisch is a talented offensive mind who groomed a new starting quarterback for us each year that he was at Michigan. The UCLA coaching staff will be receiving someone who possesses a wealth of knowledge, great enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Jedd’s reputation as a relentless coast-to-coast recruiter will unquestionably benefit the Bruins going forward. I wish Jedd, Amber and the Fisch family nothing but success and prosperity in the Pac-12 as part of the UCLA Bruins Football coaching staff.”
