University of Washington offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty announced Tuesday night that he is stepping away from the program.
The development was initially reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Dougherty spent the past two seasons in Seattle, first serving as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator before being elevated to offensive coordinator last year. However, primary play-calling duties remained with head coach Jedd Fisch. He assumed the coordinator role after Brennan Carrolldeparted following the 2024 campaign to work alongside his father, Pete Carroll, with the Las Vegas Raiders.
This marked Dougherty’s second tenure with Washington. He previously worked under former head coach Steve Sarkisian from 2009 to 2012 as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Dougherty also served on Fisch’s staff at University of Arizona in 2021 before following him to Washington when he was hired in 2024.
Last season, Washington averaged 34.1 points per game — ranking 17th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten Conference.
Zenitz and CBS Sports further reported that veteran NFL assistant Matt Cavanaugh is expected to join the staff, potentially as Dougherty’s successor. The 69-year-old has previously served as an offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, and Washington Redskins.
Cavanaugh captured two Super Bowl titles as a backup quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants, and later earned another championship as offensive coordinator of the Ravens in 2000. He has not coached since serving as a senior offensive assistant with the New York Jets in 2001.
