Fresno State can get a waiver to make a quick hire. It just did, when hiring Kalen DeBoer
Fresno State has a job opening and an empty chair in the big office on the second floor of the Duncan Building, with a bowl game and the early signing period coming up and a number of players making decisions whether to perhaps enter the NCAA transfer portal or take a shot at the next level.
Quarterback Jake Haener went into the portal on Tuesday.
It also has Jeff Tedford just up the street, and a groundswell of support for a second return to his alma mater.
And, nothing preventing Fresno State from making a quick hire.
Typically, a position in the California State University system must be posted for 14 days on the university website and appropriate job bulletin boards before a hire can be made. But the athletics department received a waiver when in a similar spot just three years ago when it hired Kalen DeBoer, after Tedford had stepped down due to heart-related health issues and to spend more time with his family.
Tedford announced his resignation on Dec. 6 and DeBoer, who had been the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator for two seasons before taking a step up to Indiana and the Big Ten, was introduced on Dec. 17.
Fresno State posted the position shortly after DeBoer was hired away on Monday to take on a Power Five conference challenge at Washington, along with those of offensive and defensive coordinator.
Those job postings will close on Dec. 12, though sources indicated it is unlikely the Bulldogs will wait that long to have their next coach in place.
Tedford, as he was in 2017 and as DeBoer was in 2019, is the front runner to be the Bulldogs’ next coach given his track record with a .603 career winning percentage and ease of transition.
The former Bulldogs coach did not return a phone message on Tuesday, but has indicated that he is ready to return to the sidelines. Tedford has visited the football offices and practices several times this season.
Tedford recruited a number of the players on the Bulldogs’ roster. Running back Jordan Mims, who has said he will return for a sixth season, was in Tedford’s first Fresno State recruiting class. The Bulldogs’ top wideouts Jalen Cropper, Josh Kelly and Zane Pope were Tedford recruits.
Fresno State will lose a number of key pieces including running back Ronnie Rivers, who will depart as the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in touchdowns scored. But a transition will be made easier with a roster that can compete for a West Division title in the Mountain West in 2022 and spot in the conference championship game.
The early national letter of intent signing period starts Dec. 15, and Fresno State has commitments from nine players including Bullard High wideout Jayden Davis.