Former Arizona DB Martell Irby joins Jedd Fisch's staff at Washington

Just over a year after Martell Irby helped the Arizona Wildcats win the Alamo Bowl, the former UA defensive back is reuniting with head coach Jedd Fisch at Washington.

Irby joined UW’s coaching staff as a defensive quality control coach.

Irby is the latest Arizona connection at Washington with Fisch, who left the UA after rebuilding a downtrodden program into a 10-win team in three years.

Former UA offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Jordan Paopao, cornerbacks coach John Richardson, defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi and wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings are Arizona coaches who are now at Washington. Former Arizona wide receiver Syndric Steptoe was recently the UA football program’s senior director of player and community relations; he has a similar role at Washington.

Thirteen UA players transferred to Washington since Fisch’s hiring last year, including running back Jonah Coleman, linebacker Jacob Manu, quarterback Demond Williams and cornerbacks Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis.

Irby is the first Arizona player to join Fisch’s staff as a coach.

Irby, a San Diego native, was a one-time Arizona commit as a running back for the Wildcats’ 2018 recruiting class, before he flipped to UCLA after head coach Rich Rodriguez was fired by the UA. Following a severe knee injury, he moved from running back to defensive back in 2021. The following season, Irby briefly retired from football and left UCLA for mental health reasons.

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Irby rediscovered his passion for football and reunited with UA defensive coordinator and former UCLA assistant Johnny Nansen, but Irby joined the program as a walk-on. To make ends meet, Irby worked as a security guard and freelance photographer.

Irby was named a team captain for the 2023 season, the only transfer and walk-on to receive that honor. He received a full-ride scholarship leading up to the season-opening win over Northern Arizona.

“That was nothing short of a blessing. I can’t really explain it,” Irby said then. “Coming out here, my circumstances and situation and all that I feel like that transpired prior to that, I just feel like it’s just a testament to God’s grace. I’m just glad that my love for the game turned into a scholarship.”

Added Fisch: “The fact that we were able to give him a scholarship is awesome — and for him to come in and play as much as he plays, the passion and energy he brings, he’s certainly a huge asset to our program, so it was great to have him contribute.”

Irby starred on Arizona’s special teams and held a role in the seven-defensive back “dollar” package. Irby was also shifted to “Mike” linebacker for a few games, a role he played in Arizona’s win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. Irby finished with seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Additionally, Irby one of the most compelling postgame interviews by a Wildcat.

“I can’t thank Arizona enough,” Irby said on ESPN after the Alamo Bowl. “I can’t thank my brothers enough. … I couldn’t have scripted this any better. … I couldn’t have pictured this.”