Fresno State holding in-person coach interviews. Is Jeff Tedford still the favorite?
Fresno State is conducting a few in-person interviews for its open coaching position on Monday, and sources said it is close to wrapping up its search to replace coach Kalen DeBoer, who landed a Power Five opportunity in a prime location at Washington in the Pac-12.
The favorite, as has been the case all along, is former Bulldogs coach Jeff Tedford, who had to step away from the position three years ago due to heart-related health issues.
The Bulldogs have taken a few hits lately with the departure of DeBoer and quarterback Jake Haener to the NCAA transfer portal. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb also will not game plan and call plays at the New Mexico Bowl – he confirmed on Monday that he will join DeBoer in Seattle as the Huskies’ offensive coordinator.
Tedford would provide a fairly seamless transition for the Bulldogs, having recruited a number of players on the roster including running back Jordan Mims, who has said he will return for a sixth year, and two of the top wideouts in the Mountain West Conference in Jalen Cropper and Josh Kelly.
Fresno State has critical pieces to replace, but barring additional transfers could contend for a West Division title in the conference again next season.
Tedford, 60, visited practices several times this season. He had a cardiac ablation in January 2020, a procedure that scars tissue in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals and restores a normal heart rhythm.
One potential sticking point could be financial, not so much with a base salary but performance bonuses. When Tedford was hired in 2017, the contract included $2.765 million in potential bonuses, a figure topped by only three FBS coaches in the nation.
DeBoer this season was paid $1.35 million in base salary and his contract topped out at $1.5 million in the final year of the five-year deal. That ranked in the middle of the Mountain West Conference, behind Wyoming coach Craig Bohl ($1.6 million), Colorado State coach Steve Addazio ($1.55 million), UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo ($1.5 million) and Boise State coach Andy Avalos ($1.4 million).
But timing is becoming more of an issue, with the early national letter of intent signing period starting Dec. 15.