Ryan Walters 'has done an amazing job' for Big Ten rival after being fired by Purdue football
Jedd Fisch was drawn to it and hired Walters as Washington's defensive coordinator.
Where shortcomings came in Walters' first head coaching opportunity, Fisch draws comparisons to his own experience as a first-time head coach and how he was a better assistant after the fact, which ultimately got him back in the head coach's chair.
"I remember how important it is to always have guys on your side and rowing in the same direction as a staff member," Fisch said about when he became an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 after previously having been UCLA's interim coach. "I think Ryan feels that and has done an amazing job of leading the defensive staff in a way of we are all doing this thing together and I am going to be the leader of being a great assistant coach."
Walters went 5-19 in two seasons as Purdue's coach. He was fired in December after a 1-11 season. Washington hosts Purdue on Nov. 15 in Walters' first game against his old team.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema noted at Big Ten media days Tuesday that Walters mismanaged some things as Purdue's coach, which isn't a detriment to his ability to coach.
Illinois had the nation's second-ranked defense and top-ranked scoring defense statistically with Walters as the coordinator.
"Him bringing Illinois from what they were to what they went to is great," Washington defensive back Ephesians Prysock said. "And then him being a head coach as well, he kind of understands both sides.
"He's just a likable person and has a great attitude and he's got good football knowledge. He knows the game."
Walters replaced Steve Belichick, who departed for the same position at North Carolina.
Fisch called Walters "probably one of, if not the best defensive coordinator in the country."
Walters' stamp on the defense was evident during spring camp.
"It's just a different energy," running back Jonah Coleman said. "The way the defense flies around and attacks the ball, it will create negative plays and put athletes in position to do what they do."
Walters' experience as a head coach proved invaluable to Fisch. He noted that successful programs throughout college football are hiring former head coaches as assistants, singling out Notre Dame (Al Golden), Penn State (Tom Allen) and Ohio State (Chip Kelly).
"I thought it was really important to get someone that had sat in the chair in the Big Ten Conference," Fisch said.
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