SEATTLE — Sometimes the choice doesn't end up being the first or even second preference in head coaching searches.

In the case of Kalen DeBoer, he wasn't at the top, but he was on UW athletic director Jennifer Cohen's list for a reason.

DeBoer, 47, is leaving Fresno State after two seasons to become the 30th head football coach at the University of Washington, the school announced Monday afternoon.

Before he took control as the Bulldogs head coach prior to the 2020 season DeBoer was the programs offensive coordinator from 2017-18 before he left take the same role at Indiana in 2019.

"My family and I are so grateful for the opportunity to lead such a storied program and be part of this prestigious institution,” DeBoer said in a statement after being named head coach.

"The tough, hard-nosed tradition of Washington football speaks for itself, and it was obvious throughout this process that UW is committed to competing at the highest level. This is a perfect fit for me and I would like to thank Jen Cohen and President Cauce for their trust. We could not be more excited to get to Seattle and get to work.”

For a coach who is near 50-years-old and never served as a Power Five head coach in his 24-year coaching career, the immediate question is why was DeBoer on UW's list?

After one of the worst offensive seasons in school history that saw the Huskies end the 2021 regular season tied with Rice for the 106th scoring offense in college football the problem had to be rectified.

While DeBoer is not a household name across the country every stop his offenses have flourished.

This season the Bulldogs averaged 33.6 points per game, good for 26th in the country. Only UCLA (36.5) and Utah (35.3) had higher scoring offenses in the Pac-12.

Fresno State finished second in the Mountain West behind Nevada (36.7) in scoring offense just above Utah State and Air Force.

However, it's not just a high-scoring offense.

Each of the past five seasons at least two wide receivers finished in the top 20 in conference in receiving yards per game and top 10 at the end of the season in receiving yards.

The talent-stacked room Junior Adams has built over the last three years with Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze, and transfers Ja'Lynn Polk and Giles Jackson, there is no limit to what DeBoer can cook up in Seattle.

One potential dilemma is his usage of running backs.

Unlike the success rate DeBoer has had with quarterbacks and receivers his rushing attacks have never finished higher than 79th in the country and multiple seasons ranked in the 100's.

UW returns a healthy stable of backs in 2022, should none decide to transfer, starting with Richard Newton (junior) and Cameron Davis (redshirt sophomore) to go along with four other underclassmen; Sam Adams III, Caleb Berry, Jay'Veon Sunday and Emeka Megwa.

If DeBoer can incorporate a moderate rushing game to pair with his high-caliber passing attack the Huskies should be in much better shape, at least offensively.

With the hiring of DeBoer the next question is who will come with him, either from Fresno State or outside both programs.

Former interim USC head coach and one-time UW graduate assistant Donte Williams is in the mix to be a part of DeBoer's staff, which would be significant both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Kirby Moore, who has spent the previous five seasons as the Bulldogs WR coach, could also make a return to Montlake where he was a GA under Chris Petersen in 2015-16.

The essential key for DeBoer across the board is to hire an elite staff comprised of coaches who can tirelessly recruit the caliber of player UW needs to return to the College Football Playoff or a New Years Six bowl game, something they haven't done since 2016 and 2018 respectively.

DeBoer will have an introductory press conference at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Seattle and is expected to put his staff together by the end of this week or into early next week at the latest.