Chris Petersen steps down after six seasons as Washington coach

Lorenzo Reyes | USA TODAY

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In a stunning announcement, the Washington coach Chris Petersen will step down following the team’s bowl game and will assume “a leadership advisory role for Husky Athletics.”

Petersen coached the team for six seasons and led the Huskies to a pair of Pac-12 titles in 2016 and 2018, reaching the College Football Playoff in 2016. His 39 victories between the 2015 and 2018 seasons were most ever in school history during a four-year stretch.

That mark will be exceeded, if Washington wins its bowl game, which would give the team 40 victories from 2016-19.

"It has been a privilege and a professional dream fulfilled to be part of this world-class institution," Petersen said Monday in a statement. "I will forever be grateful, honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to coach our fine young men on Montlake for these past six seasons. I'll be a Husky for life, but now is the right time for me to step away from my head coaching duties, and recharge."

Washington athletics director Jennifer Cohen announced current defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake will take over as the new head coach for the Huskies.

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"Chris has been transformational for not only our football program, but our entire athletic department," Cohen said. "It has been such a privilege to watch how he has been so committed to the development of our young men, not just on the field, but more importantly off. I can't thank him enough for his service and leadership, and I look forward to having him stay on staff in a leadership advisory role, so he can continue to impact individuals across our department and the entire campus."

Petersen’s current record sits at 146-38 and winning percentage (79.3ranks second among all active coaches with at least five years of Bowl Subdivision experience.

Petersen also coached eight seasons at Boise State before he took over the Huskies job in 2014. Petersen compiled a 92-12 record with the Broncos, including two victories in the Fiesta Bowl in 2007 and 2010.

Lake had served as a Husky assistant in 2004, but returned to the program for Petersen’s first season in Washington in 2014 as a defensive backs coach. He was then promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2016 and eventually became the sole defensive coordinator in 2018.

Washington’s defense ranked first in the Pac-12 in total defense and scoring from 2015-18.

"I could not be more excited about taking over as head football coach at the University of Washington," Lake said. "I've been dreaming of this opportunity for as long as I can remember and I can't think of a better place to do it than in the world-class city of Seattle and at such a prestigious university with a rich football tradition. This wouldn't be possible without the mentorship of Coach Petersen and I would like to thank him for everything he has done for me, as well as Jen Cohen for entrusting me with this opportunity."