FRESNO, Calif. - Matt Entz was named the new head coach of Fresno State football on Wednesday. Entz becomes the 23rd head coach in program history.
"I am deeply honored to join the Fresno State family as the head football coach. This University's rich tradition of excellence, both on and off the field, aligns perfectly with my values and coaching philosophy," said new head coach Matt Entz. "My family and I are excited to become part of the vibrant Valley community and contribute to the University's mission. I am committed to leading our student-athletes with integrity, resilience, diligence, and selflessness, striving for success in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Together, we will build upon the strong foundation in place and aim for new heights. Go 'Dogs!"
Entz comes to the Valley from USC, where he served as the assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach. Prior to his time at USC, he was a two-time FCS national championship winning head coach at North Dakota State.
"Matt Entz is a proven winner with a championship pedigree, consistently leading his teams to success on the field. He is a leader of people who values growth both on and off the field. Beyond his impressive football accomplishments, Matt and his family embody the core values of integrity, grit, hard work, and selflessness that define what it means to be a Bulldog. We are confident that they will make meaningful contributions to our University, city, and the entire Valley," said Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy.
Entz posted a 60-11 overall record in his 5 years (2019-23) as the head coach at North Dakota State for an impressive .857 winning percentage. He led his team to two NCAA Division I FCS national championships, including in his first season as the head coach.
"Matt Entz embodies the grit, resilience and excellence that define Fresno State and with his agricultural background, I know he will resonate with our community," said Fresno State University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. "His proven leadership and championship pedigree will inspire our Bulldogs to compete with heart and determination, reflecting the spirit of our Valley and the Red Wave. We are excited to welcome Coach Entz to the Bulldog family and can't wait to see him lead our team to new heights."
Throughout his time at NDSU, his Bison were 32-7 (.821) in league play and won two Missouri Valley Football Conference championships.
Entz was named the FCS National Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021 by the American Football Coaches Association. He is a two-time finalist for the Stats Perform Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the FCS National Coach of the Year as selected by a national media panel, and he is a two-time recipient of the Bruce Craddock MVFC Coach of the Year award. Additionally, he was also named the 2019, 2020 and 2021 AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Entz became the first Division I head football coach to go 16-0 in his first full season at the helm, defeating James Madison 28-20 to win the 2019 Division I FCS national Championship. The 2019 Bison became the first modern-era college football team in any division to finish a season 16-0, joining the 1894 Yale Bulldogs as the only 16-0 teams in college football history.
North Dakota State completed the 2019 season with an FCS-record 37-game winning streak (beginning in the 2017 season). The streak extended to 39 games in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is the third longest winning streak in Division I football history.
The 2020 Bison posted a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 MVFC record, falling in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.
Entz led the 2021 squad to NDSU's ninth FCS national championship in program history by defeating Montana State 38-10 and recording a 14-1 overall season record.
In 2022, the Bison once again reached the FCS Division I national championship game, but fell to South Dakota State. They recorded a 12-3 overall record and a 7-1 MVFC record.
In 2023, Entz led the Bison to an 11-4 overall record (5-3 in MVFC play) where they reached the Division I FCS semifinal.
As head coach of NDSU, Entz tutored 8 NFL draft picks, including the 2021 No. 3 overall pick, QB Trey Lance. He also had 20 players earn All-American honors between 2019-22.
Prior to being named head coach, Entz was NDSU's defensive coordinator for 5 seasons (2014-18). He was named the 2018 FCS Coordinator of the Year and was a finalist for the award 3 times. He led a Bison defense that allowed less than 14 points per game over his 5 seasons as the defensive coordinator and consistently ranked in the top 5 of FCS in scoring defense and total defense. NDSU had eight FCS All-American honorees on defense during his 5 seasons as defensive coordinator, including linebackers MJ Stumpf, Nick DeLuca and Jabril Cox.
Prior to arriving at NDSU, Entz served as the associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Western Illinois in 2013. Under his tutelage, LB Kevin Kintzel still holds the program's all-time defensive scoring record with 18 INTs and 3 defensive TDs. The Leathernecks led the MVFC in passing defense (149.0) and opponent first downs (16.2).
Entz spent the previous 3 years (2010-12) at Northern Iowa. He was named defensive line coach in 2010 and assumed defensive coordinator duties in 2012. UNI placed first in the MVFC in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, DL Ben Boothby earned AP and AFCA FCS All-American First Team honors and was also a two-time All-MVFC First Team honoree (2010 and 2011).
Entz was the defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2009 at Winona State, where he was promoted to associate head coach in 2003 and was with the defensive line for 3 years before becoming linebackers coach in 2005. He was named the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 2008.
Prior to that, Entz was the assistant head football coach and linebackers coach at Wayne (Neb.) State from 1999 to 2001 and the defensive coordinator at Illinois College in 1998. He holds certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach during his time at Wayne State.
Entz earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Wartburg College in 1995 and a master's degree in education and exercise science from Wayne (Neb.) State College in 1998.
He and his wife, Brenda, have two sons, Kellen and Konner.
Fresno State finished the 2024 regular season with a 6-6 record and reached bowl eligibility for the fourth straight season. The Bulldogs will learn their bowl designation after conference championship games are played. The future for Fresno State football, and Coach Entz, includes a transition to the Pac-12. More information on the move to the Pac-12 can be found here.
Klassy added, "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Tim Skipper for his unwavering dedication and leadership during a pivotal time for our football program. His commitment to our student-athletes and the university exemplifies the true spirit of Bulldog tenacity and resilience. Tim's efforts have been instrumental in maintaining the high standards of excellence we uphold at Fresno State."