Fresno State aims to hire Matt Entz as head coach

In December 2024, Fresno State University announced it is pursuing Matt Entz, currently serving as the linebackers coach at the University of Southern California, for the position of head football coach. Entz, who is 52 years old, has transitioned from a successful ten-year tenure at North Dakota State University, where he served as head coach from 2019 to 2023. At NDSU, he achieved remarkable success, including winning national titles in 2019 and 2021 while amassing a record of 60-11, which established him as a top figure in collegiate football coaching. During his time at North Dakota State, Entz earned accolades such as two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and was recognized as the FCS National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association in 2019 and 2021. He notably developed eight NFL Draft picks during his time there, which underscores his ability to mentor players effectively. Furthermore, he made history by becoming the first Division I head coach to finish a season 16-0 in his first full season, culminating in a triumphant victory over James Madison in the 2019 Division I FCS National Championship. Fresno State’s interest in Entz comes following the resignation of previous head coach Jeff Tedford due to health issues, with Tim Skipper stepping in as interim coach. Under Skipper's leadership, the Bulldogs finished their season with a 6-6 record, having started strong at 5-3 before faltering in the closing games. Despite this recent dip, the program has generally maintained competitive seasons, including two consecutive 10-win campaigns in 2021 and 2022. Entz's short stint at USC marks his first experience coaching on the West Coast, which may add another layer of opportunity for growth and diversification in his coaching career. Fresno State has shown a consistent ability to remain competitive, as evidenced by not having suffered a losing season since 2019. As they seek to rebuild under a new coach, an experienced and accomplished leader like Entz could reinvigorate the program, aligning it for success in the competitive landscape of college football.