Chris Petersen Resigns as the Washington Huskies Head Football Coach

In a somewhat surprising move, Chris Petersen has resigned as the head football coach for the Washington Huskies.  The Huskies are currently 7-5 and headed to a bowl game (which will be coached by Petersen).  Here is a look at the Washington Huskies football team since 2008; under three different head coaches - Willingham (partial), Sarkisian and Petersen.  As you will notice, Washington had great seasons from 2016 to 2018, but have slipped a little this season.

Below is the Washington Huskies production rank (total, offense, defense, and the average and worst teams) since 2008 using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com, as well as lines for head coaching firing/resigning.  More details about the program under Petersen is provided below; including a link to his original and extended contract.

Chris Petersen [2014-2019] {extension}

2014
The first season with Petersen at the helm of the Huskies resulted in an 8-5 regular season win/loss record; they were able to play 13 regular season games because they played Hawai'i away this season (Bylaw 17.28.2).  The Huskies were bowl eligible where they were defeated by the #102 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys by a score of (22-30), while playing against an “average” strength of schedule (SOS), meaning that the Huskies were plus or minus one standard deviation of the "league" average SOS.  Washington's best regular season victory was against #83 ranked Oregon State by a score of (37-13) and their worst loss was to #46 ranked Arizona by a score of (26-27).  Washington finished the season as the #51 ranked team overall, with the #41 ranked offense and the #67 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2015
The Huskies finished the regular season at 6-6 and were bowl eligible, where they defeated #30 ranked Southern Mississippi by a score of (44-31) to finish the season at 7-6.  The Huskies played against an “average” strength of schedule.  Washington's best regular season victory against #51 ranked Southern California by a score of (17-12) and their worst loss was to #81 ranked Arizona State by a score of (17-27).  The Huskies finished the season as the #26 ranked team overall, with the #50 ranked offense and the #18 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2016 Pac12 Champions
In Petersen's third season the Huskies finished the regular season at 11-1, and played in the Pac12 Conference Championship game where they defeated the #16 ranked Colorado Buffaloes by a score of (41-10).  This launched the Huskies into the National Semi-Final game against #1 ranked Alabama where they were defeated (7-24).  Washington finished overall at 12-2.  The Huskies played against an “average” strength of schedule.  Washington's best regular season victory against #43 ranked Utah by a score of (31-24) and their only loss was to #28 ranked Southern California by a score of (13-26).  Washington finished the season as the #2 ranked team overall, with the #8 ranked offense and the #9 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2017
The Huskies finished the regular season at 10-2 and were bowl eligible, where they were defeated by #3 ranked Penn State by a score of (28-35) to finish 10-3 overall.  The Huskies played against an “average” strength of schedule.  Washington's best regular season victory against #23 ranked Fresno State by a score of (48-16) and Washington's worst loss was to #83 ranked Arizona State by a score of (7-13).  The Huskies finished the season as the #4 ranked team overall, with the #26 ranked offense and the #1 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2018 Pac12 Champions
Washington finished the regular season at 9-3, where they played in the Pac12 Conference Championship game and defeated #30 ranked Utah (10-3).  Washington then went on to play #11 Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, were they were defeated by a score of (23-28).  Washington played against a “tougher” strength of schedule, meaning their SOS was between one and two standard deviations lower than the "league" average SOS.  Washington's best regular season victory against #30 ranked Utah by a score of (21-7) and their worst loss was to #57 ranked California by a score of (10-12).  Washington finished the season as the #12 ranked team overall, with the #40 ranked offense and the #7 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2019*
At the conclusion of the regular season, head football coach Chris Petersen resigned after going 7-5 (and bowl eligible).  Washington played against an “average” strength of schedule.  Washington's best victory was against currently ranked #46 Southern California by a score of (28-14) and their worst loss was to currently ranked #114 Stanford by a score of (13-23).  Washington's current production rankings are:  #39 team overall, with the #62 offense and the #31 defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

Previous FBS Head Coaching Changes in 2019
Rutgers and Chris Ash
Florida State and Willie Taggart
Arkansas and Chad Morris
UNLV and Tony Sanchez
New Mexico and Bob Davie
Missouri and Barry Odom
UTSA and Frank Wilson
South Florida and Charlie Strong
Boston College and Steve Addazio
Mississippi and Matt Luke