Fresno State Head Football Coach Jeff Tedford stepped down on Monday due to health concerns.
Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers Coach Tim Skipper will serve as the interim coach for the 2024 season.
The big picture: “It is with sad emotions that following my recent medical check-up, it is clear that due to health concerns, my family and I have made the decision to step aside as Fresno State’s head coach and allow someone else to lead the football program,” Tedford said.
Flashback: Tedford’s health concerns are nothing new as heart problems first developed shortly after he was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as offensive coordinator in 2014, ultimately preventing him from coaching a game that year.
- His heart issues were kept at bay until 2019, causing him to step down from Fresno State for the first time at the end of the season.
- Tedford underwent an ablation procedure at the Mayo Clinic following the 2019 season and was rehired to lead the program in 2021 when his successor Kalen DeBoer left for Washington.
- But his second stint as head coach of the Bulldogs only lasted two seasons, and his health concerns caused Tedford to miss the team’s 37-10 win over New Mexico State in the New Mexico Bowl last December.
- At the time, the university said Tedford was temporarily stepping away from the program and would return for the 2024 season.
Tedford’s career: After spending two years at Cerritos College, Tedford transferred to Fresno State and played quarterback for the ‘Dogs in 1981 and 1982.
- His post-collegiate playing career continued in the Canadian Football League through 1988.
- Tedford joined the Calgary Stampeders as an assistant coach in 1989 and returned to Fresno State in 1992 as an assistant, remaining with the Bulldogs through 1997 before joining Oregon as the offensive coordinator.
- Cal gave Tedford his first opportunity as a head coach in 2002, where he led the Golden Bears to a Pac-10 title in 2006.
- But Tedford failed to recapture the magic of the 2006 for the rest of his tenure and was fired after the 2012 season.
- The next few years were spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the BC Lions and the University of Washington before Fresno State hired him as head coach to turn the program around after a 1-11 season in 2016.
- Tedford quickly resurrected the program, going 10-4 in 2017 and 12-2 with a Mountain West Championship in 2018. But the Bulldogs slipped up in 2019, going 4-8 to close out his first stint as head coach.
- Tedford led the Bulldogs to a 10-4 record and another Mountain West Championship in his return in 2022 and capped his career with a 9-4 season last year.
- Overall, Tedford led the Bulldogs to a 44-22 record in his five years leading the program, which included two conference titles, four bowl wins and two Top 25 finishes to end the season.
What we’re watching: Skipper will take the reins of the program with less than two months to go before the Bulldogs travel to Michigan on Aug. 31 to take on the defending National Champions.
- Skipper will also be tasked with leading the Bulldogs with another Power 4 road game against UCLA on Nov. 30 to end the season.
What they’re saying: “I have a tremendous amount of pride and passion for Fresno State, and I understand the time and energy necessary to lead at a high level,” Tedford said. “The players, coaches and Bulldog supporters deserve the best. Unfortunately, I am not able to sustain the commitment needed to perform at the level needed to guide the program. We are extremely fortunate to have continuity with a great coaching staff. I have full confidence that they will continue to guide our terrific student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off the field.”
- Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy, who was just hired a few weeks ago, said Tedford’s contributions to Fresno State and the Central Valley have been nothing short of extraordinary.
- “His dedication, passion, and commitment have not only led our football program to numerous championships but also deeply impacted the community,” Klassy said. “Our goal during this coaching transition is to ensure it is as seamless as possible for our student-athletes, and to continue the championship culture that Coach Tedford has established. We are grateful for his endless contributions, wish him the best with his health, and I expect to lean on Coach Tedford during my transition due to his incredible insight and relationships.”
