Washington Basketball Coach Danny Sprinkle on Hot Seat After Slow Start

ESPN insider Jeff Borzello reports Sprinkle's future with the Huskies is in jeopardy after two disappointing seasons.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:07am

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In his second year as head coach of the Washington Huskies, Danny Sprinkle is already on the hot seat according to ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello. Sprinkle, who signed a six-year, $22.1 million contract when he was hired in 2024, has struggled to a 26-32 record overall and 9-27 mark in Big Ten play so far. The Huskies were expected to make the NCAA Tournament this season, but currently sit at 14-14 on the year. Borzello reports that while Sprinkle may not be fired this year, 'things are heating up' and the 2026-27 season could be a make-or-break year for the coach.

Why it matters

Sprinkle was brought in to turn around the struggling Washington program and lead them back to the NCAA Tournament, but his first two seasons have fallen well short of those expectations. The Huskies have spent significant money to build Sprinkle's roster, making his lack of success all the more concerning for the program's administration and fan base.

The details

Sprinkle came to Washington after two successful seasons at Utah State, where he led the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament in his second year. However, rebuilding the roster in Seattle has proven to be a much bigger challenge. The Huskies have struggled mightily in Big Ten play, going just 9-27 over the last two seasons. Sprinkle acknowledged the difficulties he's faced, saying 'I had people telling me I was committing professional suicide by taking this job' due to the program's deficiencies and the brutal Big Ten conference.

  • Sprinkle was hired as Washington's head coach in March 2024, signing a six-year, $22.1 million contract.
  • In his first season in 2024-25, Sprinkle led Washington to a 12-18 overall record and 3-17 mark in Big Ten play.
  • This season, the Huskies are 14-14 overall and 5-10 in conference play as of February 2026.

The players

Danny Sprinkle

The second-year head coach of the Washington Huskies, who previously had success at Utah State and Montana State.

Jeff Borzello

An ESPN college basketball insider who reported that Sprinkle is on the hot seat at Washington.

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What they’re saying

“It's only Year 2 for Danny Sprinkle with the Huskies, but things are already starting to heat up in Seattle. The program has spent significant money on Sprinkle's rosters, but is just 26-32 overall in those two seasons, including 9-27 in Big Ten play.”

— Jeff Borzello, ESPN College Basketball Insider

“I had people telling me I was committing professional suicide by taking this job — I didn't think that way. Did I know we had some deficiencies? Yeah. Did I know the league we were going into would be brutal? Yes, I did. Did I know the landscape with NIL? Yes. We have to find a way to navigate that moving forward...”

— Danny Sprinkle, Washington Head Coach

What’s next

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The takeaway

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