By ushering in new era of Fresno State football, athletic director ends own honeymoon | Opinion
The sun has officially set on Garrett Klassy’s honeymoon as Fresno State athletic director.
Any grace period Klassy previously enjoyed is out of good graces. From now on, he will be judged by the decisions he makes rather than those he inherited.
Klassy has been on the job less than six months. Even if his tenure lasts six years, none of his moves are likely to be as consequential as Matt Entz’s hiring as head football coach, confirmed by the university Wednesday evening.
If Klassy had opted for the interim coach who this fall guided the Bulldogs to a 6-6 record on short notice, he could’ve extended that honeymoon and given himself more time to go dowsing for new revenue streams.
By choosing Entz over Tim Skipper, Klassy stepped out on his own. Klassy picked his guy over the preferred choice of most current and former players — prompting a mass exodus to the transfer portal and a rash of negative reactions on social media.
(It was also the more expensive way to go, since new head coaches always come in with new assurances and the fact that current coordinators Pat McCann and Kevin Coyle have contracts through next season.)
Entz certainly has an impressive résumé, and Klassy will get the opportunity to explain his choice soon enough. As always, though, it’s all about wins and losses.
If Fresno State wins enough games and a Pac-12 title under Entz, the outsider coach will be embraced like a native son and Klassy’s decision will be applauded.
But if the Bulldogs become doormats in their new conference, it’ll be looked upon as the onset of the downfall.
There is nothing in Entz’s track record to indicate Klassy made a bad hire. The 52-year-old had an impressive five-year run as head coach at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, compiling a 60-11 record and two national championships.
(For context, it’s important to note the Bison captured FCS national titles in seven of eight years prior to Entz becoming head coach. So credit him more as a program sustainer than builder.)
USC ‘happy’ for Bulldogs hire
Entz spent the 2024 season at USC, where his work as linebackers coach helped turn around what had been an atrocious defense.
“We’re happy for coach Entz,” Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said Wednesday, adding the deal came together quickly that morning.
After hours of speculation and reaction on social media, including quite a few ex-Bulldogs expressing dismay at Skipper being passed over, Fresno State officially announced Entz’s hiring at 5 p.m. and scheduled an introductory news conference for Thursday morning.
What can Bulldogs fans expect from their new head coach?
North Dakota State is best known for its physical, punishing defense as well as a power running game that uses play action to take shots downfield. Above all, the Bison rarely make mental errors.
Only time will tell if Entz can propagate this successful formula to Central California, a place he barely knows after spending almost his entire career in the Midwest. Unless he can coax several 2024 contributors out of the transfer portal, prospects for next season look bleak. (Same goes for the Potato Bowl or wherever the Bulldogs play in a couple weeks.)
Entz reportedly signed a five-year contract, so he’ll be given a long leash to construct the program in his image.
However, the collar on Fresno State’s new-ish AD just got a little tighter. The Klassy honeymoon period is over. He is now inexorably tied to a new era of Bulldogs football. Whatever happens next is on him.
