Chris Petersen Will Step Down As Huskies Head Coach

SEATTLE, WA — University of Washington football coach Chris Petersen will step down after the Huskies' bowl game, the university announced Monday. Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake will take over head coach duties, while Petersen takes on a leadership advisory role.

Coach Petersen released a statement Monday:

"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 leaves behind a career record of 146-38, including eight years at Boise State and six at the UW. During his time with the Huskies, the team took two Pac-12 Championships and made the College Football Playoffs in 2016. According to Husky Athletics, the team won 39 games from 2015 through 2018 — an all-time best for the Huskies over a four-year period.

University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce praised Petersen for his contributions both on and off the field.

"Chris Petersen epitomizes everything you can want in a head coach. His first priority has always been preparing his student-athletes for life, not merely the next game. Their performance in the classroom, leading the conference the last two years and being among the best in the nation, was matched by their performance on the field, including two Pac-12 Championships. We are fortunate to have had Coach Petersen as a leader for UW football, and I know his positive influence will continue to be felt on Montlake in his new role."

Petersen's replacement, Jimmy Lake, first joined the Huskies as an assistant coach in 2004. He returned as a defensive backs coach in 2014, before being pomoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2016, then defensive coordinator in 2018.

"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."

The Associated Press reports Lake's contract starts at $3 million for the first year, hitting $3.4 million by the last year of the contract in 2024.