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Washington's football staff got its first significant shake-up Friday since Chris Petersen's hiring in December 2013, as Petersen announced the firing of his wide receivers coach Brent Pease.
UW announces that Huskies WR coach Brent Pease has been fired.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) December 5, 2015
Chris Petersen says in a statement that he has "tremendous" respect for Pease, but felt "a fresh start with this position group is needed."
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) December 5, 2015
Pease will not coach in UW's bowl game. His contract is set to expire on Jan. 31, like the rest of UW's assistants.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) December 5, 2015
Pease was scheduled to be paid $360,000 this year, FYI.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) December 5, 2015
Pease's release comes as no great shock to outside observers of the Husky program, as Washington's passing attack ranked 11th in the conference in 2014 and 9th in 2015. Additionally, Petersen spoke freely this season in regard to his frustrations with the offense's inability to make plays happen, saying "It's frustrating because you feel like everything has to be just perfect for us to move the ball; to sustain things, all the boxes have to be checked."
On the defensive side of the ball, it was revealed today that Washington would be losing another position coach, albeit for a more positive reason.
Sources tell FootballScoop Montana State plans to make Jeff Choate their new head coach https://t.co/sNnVtyuq1F #ChristmasTreeHire
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) December 5, 2015
Choate obviously impressed in interview at Montana St. Of 5 candidates, he was only one who didn't have a coordinator/assoc. HC title.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) December 5, 2015
Can't have as much success as UW's defense the past two years and not lose some assistants. Replacing Choate -- on ST, too -- won't be easy.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) December 5, 2015
Washington's defense has become one of the Pac-12's most feared units under defensive line coach Jeff Choate and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski's tutelage: Hau'oli Kikaha led the nation in sacks last year, with 19.0 to his name, and the Husky rushing defense ranked second and third in the conference in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
We'll have more news for you regarding Washington's coaching staff changes as it develops. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts on the coaching changes in the poll below and in the comments.