Washington’s special teams unit struggled throughout the 2024 season, prompting head coach Jedd Fisch to make changes ahead of his second year with the Huskies. Among the latest moves, Fisch hired Chris Petrilli as the team’s new special teams coordinator. This comes as part of a broader staff restructuring, aided by the NCAA’s 2024 rule change that lifted restrictions on the number of coaches allowed to provide on-field instruction.
Petrilli joins UW after serving as Purdue’s special teams coordinator in 2024. Under his leadership, the Boilermakers excelled in multiple areas, ranking 22nd nationally in net punt yards (41.14) while allowing fewer punt return yards than Washington despite punting more often. Purdue also blocked three kicks and a punt, a stark contrast to Washington’s struggles, which included four blocked field goals—the third-most in the country.
While UW’s kicking accuracy outperformed Purdue’s in 2024, the Huskies’ special teams consistently underperformed in other key areas. They allowed multiple long kickoff and punt returns throughout the season and ranked 131st nationally in net punt yards. As a result, Fisch has overhauled the special teams unit, shifting former coordinator Jordan Paopao to a tight ends-only role and replacing key personnel.
Beyond special teams, Washington has also made other staff changes, promoting Michael Switzer to offensive line coach and Aaron Van Horn to outside linebackers coach while bringing in Korey Rush as an assistant defensive line coach. The Huskies also signed Australian punter Dusty Zimmer and former Utah Tech long snapper Ryan Kean to bolster their special teams unit.
With these adjustments, Washington hopes to shore up its weaknesses and improve its overall performance in 2025.
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