The Fresno State Bulldogs have established themselves as a model of consistency following a disastrous 2016 season. After going 1-11 and firing Tim DeRuyter during the regular season, the Bulldogs were spearheaded by a head coach familiar with Bulldogs football.
However, the sudden retirement of two-time head coach Jeff Tedford has left the Fresno State coaching staff in a bit of a state of unknown.
Fresno State Coaching Staff
Interim Head Coach, Tim Skipper
Tim Skipper replaced the legendary Jeff Tedford in the summer of 2024, just weeks prior to the start of fall camp for the Bulldogs. Skipper joined Fresno State on December 23, 2021, in what became his second stint with the program.
He was named the interim head coach on July 15, 2024, and the fall of 2024 marked Skipper’s third season with the program, previously coaching the linebackers in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, his linebacker group was led by a veteran group that saw multiple national awards and honors. Skipper is known for his recruiting prowess and his ability to keep the top local talent in the northern California area in town.
Skipper’s long coaching journey began in 2001 and has seen stops all over the country:
- 2001: Western New Mexico (DB)
- 2002: Western New Mexico (DC/DB)
- 2003: Sacramento State (DB)
- 2004–2005: Sacramento State (DC/DB)
- 2006–2008: Fresno State (RB)
- 2009–2011: Fresno State (LB/RGC)
- 2011: Fresno State (interim DC)
- 2012–2013: Colorado State (LB)
- 2013–2014: Colorado State (AHC/LB)
- 2015–2016: Florida (RB)
- 2017–2018: Florida (LB)
- 2018–2019: UNLV (DC/LB)
- 2020: Central Michigan (LB)
- 2021: Central Michigan (AHC/LB)
- 2022–2023: Fresno State (AHC/LB)
- 2023: Fresno State (acting HC)
- 2024–present: Fresno State (interim HC)
Offensive Coordinator Pat McCann
Pat McCann emerged as a fast-riser in collegiate coaching circles.
He helped produce Eastern Washington offenses that were threats to surpass 500 total yards each game. He’s now the man behind the Bulldogs’ MWC-leading offense of 2022 and growing national reputation following the 2023 season.
In addition to his coaching, McCann has drawn rave reviews as a recruiter. He helped recruit Jalen Moss, who was once courted by Oregon, Arizona State, and Nebraska, and helped lure Boston College transfer and former four-star Ohio State signing Jaelen Gill.
Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle
Kevin Coyle, like Skipper, is no stranger to Fresno State.
He’s in his second stint with the Bulldogs, as he was originally hired by Pat Hill in 1997 and stayed in the 559 region until 2000. Coyle then had a lengthy run in the NFL from 2001 to 2017 with the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins.
Coyle also has experience in the SEC, as he was with LSU twice in 2018 and then from 2019 to 2021 as a senior defensive analyst.
Associate Head Coach/Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator John Baxter
Staying with the current theme of past Fresno State coaches, John Baxter is another on his second run in the 559.
Baxter was one of the first hires Hill made and coached from 1997 to 2009 at Fresno. He then joined USC when the Trojans were led by another former Bulldog named Lane Kiffin.
After stints with Michigan (2015) and then returning to USC from 2016 to 2018, Baxter spent four years away from coaching collegiately before returning in 2022.
Linebackers Coach Ben Watkins
Ben Watkins took the spot formerly held by now interim coach Skipper, entering his fifth year with the program in 2024. Watkins’ season as linebackers coach, however, is his first season at coaching the second-level defenders.
Previously, Watson was a grad assistant in 2021-22 and a defensive quality control in 2023.
Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach J.D. Williams
Skipper isn’t the only former Bulldogs standout on this staff. J.D. Williams holds the claim of becoming the school’s first-ever first-round draft selection, as he was taken 16th overall in the 1990 draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was an All-American honorable mention in 1988.
His coaching career began in 1997 as a grad assistant under Hill. While he spent 2000 to 2001 with Fresno State, he’s had a longer stint with the Bulldogs as he’s been on the coaching staff since 2017. Williams has additionally coached at UNLV, Utah, Washington, and Cal — the latter during a time Tedford was there from 2002 to 2005.
Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Jethro Franklin
Now we conclude the theme of past Bulldogs back on their second run.
Jethro Franklin was a decorated football player for Fresno State and is known for shattering the school record in sacks with 19.5 in 1986. He then suited up for the Houston Oilers and Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.
His first coaching stop was at his alma mater from 1991 until 1998. He then had stops in the NFL coaching ranks with the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and the Seattle Seahawks. He’s also coached at USC, Temple, Miami, UCLA, and Missouri before eventually returning to Fresno.
Offensive Line Coach Matt Smith
Matt Smith was announced as the Bulldogs’ offensive line coach on January 9, 2024, joining the fray after two years as an offensive line grad assistant in 2022 and 2023.
The offensive line is no new thing to Smith as he was a decorated offensive lineman himself from 2016-21 with the program. Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred is the mantra for Smith and his offensive line group.
Running Backs Coach Aaron Prier
Aaron Prier came to Fresno State via Eastern Washington from 2021-2022, where he worked alongside McCann. His Eagle offense ranked as the best in the FCS. Before being on the red surface at EWU, he coached at Idaho State from 2016 to 2021.
Prier, though, is no stranger to California. He’s a native of Richmond, California, in the Bay Area.
Quarterbacks Coach Matt Wade
Matt Wade was promoted by Tedford ahead of 2023. He started out as an offensive quality control coach before being promoted to QB coach.
He’s had his hand in the development of UCF transfer Mikey Keene and Logan Fife, and his other college stops are Southern Utah, Pacific University, and UC Davis.
Nickelbacks Coach Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson is another Tedford promotion. Nelson spent his first two seasons as a defensive quality control coach before being elevated to nickelbacks in 2022 before the title run.
Nelson’s past stops are Indiana, North Carolina State, and South Florida — where he was a grad assistant in all three places.
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