Wildcats’ Fisk departs for Portland State
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months AGO
Chris Fisk, red shirt, looks over a drill at the Wildcats football practice. Fisk recently departed the program to take the head coaching job at Portland State University.
COURTESY PHOTO/JACOB THOMPSON/CWU ATHLETICS
ELLENSBURG — Central Washington athletics announced that head coach Chris Fisk would be departing the Wildcats football program to take the lead role at Portland State University. This change comes after a 10-2 season and a playoff appearance.
“I have always said that good things happen to good people, and Coach Fisk is one of those people,” CWU Director of Athletics Dr. Dennis Francois said. “He has embodied everything we want in our head football coach at Central Washington University — high character, integrity, the respect and trust of our entire department, and a tremendous ability to serve as a role model for our student-athletes. His presence within our department will be greatly missed, and I wish him nothing but the best at Portland State.”
Fisk has coached the 'Cats for seven seasons and been on staff with CWU for 10 seasons, serving three seasons as the offensive line coach and serving the 2018 season as the co-offensive coordinator.
During his six seasons at the helm of Central Washington University Football, Chris Fisk established himself as one of the most successful head coaches in program history. Fisk compiled an impressive 48-22 overall record and a dominant 38-7 mark in conference play, leading the Wildcats to three conference championships — the 2019 and 2021 GNAC titles and the 2025 Lone Star Conference championship.
Under his leadership, CWU made four NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including three straight, highlighted by a run to the 2023 NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Fisk was recognized nationally for his success, earning the 2025 Super Region 4 Coach of the Year honor.
Fisk's tenure was also defined by exceptional individual achievements from his student-athletes. He coached 37 All-Americans across the AFCA, AP, D2CCA, D2Football.com, Don Hansen, Walter Camp and CSC Academic teams during his time at CWU. Standout defensive back Tanner Volk earned multiple national awards, including becoming the first Wildcat to earn the Cliff Harris Award, which he paired with being a Harlon Hill finalist, as well as the CCA, Don Hansen, D2Football.com and Super Region 4 Defensive Player of the Year.
Defensive lineman Slade Edwards became the 'Cats' first-ever Gene Upshaw Award finalist, while players Michael Roots, Kennedy McGill, Reilly Hennessey and Volk earned Harlon Hill Trophy nominations during Fisk's time with the 'Cats.
CWU produced dozens of All-Region and All-Conference honorees under Fisk, including 21 D2CCA All-Region selections, six Don Hansen All-Region picks and 11 CSC Academic All-District recipients.
His program dominated Lone Star Conference recognition with multiple major award winners, including Offensive Player of the Year Kennedy McGill, Defensive Player of the Year Tanner Volk (twice), Offensive Lineman of the Year Slade Edwards (twice), Defensive Lineman of the Year Tyler King, two Defensive Freshmen of the Year selections — Mikaio Edward and Mika Roberson, and two Academic Players of the Year in Dominic Wieburg and McGill.
CWU players amassed 27 First Team All-LSC honors, 21 Second Team honors, 29 Honorable Mentions and nine LSC All-Academic selections. Fisk was also named the 2021 GNAC Coach of the Year while mentoring GNAC Players of the Year such as Quincy Glasper and Reilly Hennessey.
After a 1-11 season in the Big Sky conference, the Vikings opted to make a change at the head coaching position. Director of Athletics Matt Billings spoke positively of the experience that Fisk will bring to their program next season, according to a statement by PSU athletics.
“Chris brings a tremendous amount of success, winning everywhere he has been. He has proven to be a fantastic leader and mentor of young men. Chris also has close ties in the Pacific Northwest and will be a great ambassador for Portland State,” Billings said.
Fisk took to his first statements as the Vikings' new head coach with great optimism for what the future holds at PSU.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to coach at Portland State,” Fisk said. “I think Portland State football is a powder keg waiting to burst. There are so many great opportunities surrounding this job and I'm excited about bringing Portland State University Football back where it belongs.”
CWU athletics noted in their statement that the search for a new football coach will be conducted at a national level and commence immediately.
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