Fresno State coach Vance Walberg’s job is safe, despite betting probe. Here’s the latest
Fresno State men’s basketball coach Vance Walberg is expected to return next year to coach the Bulldogs, according to a high-ranking university source, following what has been a historically dismal season that went from bad to worse on Saturday, with three players implicated in an internal investigation into wagering on games.
University president Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval guaranteed Walberg that there would be no move toward non-retention in the first two years of an unconventional three-year contract, but the Bulldogs’ coach, who is 5-23 this season, can still be fired for cause. The investigation into alleged gambling in the program, however, does not constitute cause for termination, according to the clause in the contract.
A failure to report violations or to cooperate fully in any NCAA infractions process, including the investigation and adjudication of any case, would be grounds for termination. But that has not been the case, the high-ranking administration source said. Walberg has fulfilled his responsibilities in reporting and cooperating with the university’s internal investigation, the source said.
“Walberg and his staff are not a part of the investigation,” said the source, granted anonymity by The Bee because they’re not authorized to discuss the matter. “He has been as helpful as he can be.”
The NCAA and Mountain West Conference are monitoring the internal investigation.
Fresno State made national headlines on Saturday when The Fresno Bee reported that guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins would not play in a Mountain West game at Air Force and were, along with former player Mykell Robinson, tied to the internal investigation. Weaver and Collins are the Bulldogs’ leading scorers and without them the Bulldogs lost 72-69 in overtime, playing only seven players.
“Fresno State men’s basketball student-athletes Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins are being withheld from competition as the university reviews an eligibility matter,” the university said, in a statement.
Robinson, who last played in a Jan. 11 loss to Nevada, has since been removed from the roster and is no longer part of the Fresno State program.
It is unclear the potential level of involvement of the players in any alleged betting, and whether alleged bets were placed on or against the Bulldogs or on game or team proposition bets, such as the player to score the most points or hit the most 3-point shots in a game, for example.
The NCAA prohibits betting on games or providing information to any individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports betting activities involving intercollegiate, professional or amateur games or competition.
That includes pools, parlays and prop bets, in-game betting and single-game wagers. The prohibitions apply to student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff members regardless of their sport or division of competition.
This story was originally published February 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Fresno State coach Vance Walberg’s job is safe, despite betting probe. Here’s the latest."