University of Washington’s head coach Chris Petersen is stepping down, effective following the Huskies bowl game.
The athletic department announced the news Monday, naming current defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake the Huskies next head coach. Petersen will transition into a leadership advisory role within the athletic department, according to the news release.
“It has been a privilege and a professional dream fulfilled to be part of this world-class institution,” Petersen said. “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 thank each of them, as well as our coaches and administrative staff for the incredible commitment they’ve made to Husky football during my tenure. The football program and Husky Athletics across the board will continue to prosper – and do it the right way – with Jen Cohen’s leadership and the University administration’s commitment to excellence. 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.”
Petersen helped Washington win two PAC-12 Championships (2016 and 2018), a College Football Playoff appearance (2016) and three New Years’ Six Bowl games in a row.
The Huskies finished the regular season with a 31-13 win over rival Washington State for a 7-5, 4-5 Pac-12 regular-season record.