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Washington Football: Why Chris Petersen’s extension makes sense

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen hands off the the Apple Cup Trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars after a game at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen hands off the the Apple Cup Trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars after a game at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen hugs Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8) after the conclusion of the game at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeats Washington 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen hugs Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8) after the conclusion of the game at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeats Washington 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Petersen has a proven track record of success

Back in 2006, Chris Petersen took over for Dan Hawkins as the head coach at Boise State. In his first season as the head of a program, Petersen led the Broncos to an undefeated record. Busting the BCS, they then provided one of the most legendary Cinderella finishes in football history:

Over the next seven years, Petersen averaged 11 wins per season at Boise State. The Broncos played in another Fiesta Bowl, beating TCU. They barely missed out on the chance to play in several other BCS games. And Boise State has taken down a series of high-profile teams all along the way. During the streak, schools came calling to see if they could court Petersen away from Idaho. He bided his time, and it was only after Washington called that he finally made the move to a Power Five school.

As of now, Petersen is one of just five coaches with at least 100 victories at the FBS level and a winning percentage of .800 or better. The Huskies leader currently ranks 16th among active coaches in wins. And the only coaches with a better winning percentage are Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, new Texas coach Tom Herman, and Buffalo’s Lance Leipold (due mostly to his time as a Division III legend at Wisconsin-Whitewater).

Since coming to Washington, he’s quickly rebuilt the Huskies. Let’s now turn toward the work Petersen has done since moving to Seattle.

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