FRESNO, Calif. – Following back-to-back Mountain West championship seasons, head baseball coach Ryan Overland has signed a contract extension through 2030, Fresno State Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy announced Monday.
"I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to continue to lead Bulldog Baseball," Coach Overland said. "I cannot thank our President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy and Sport Administrator Mike Wickham enough for their support and belief in Fresno State Athletics and Bulldog Baseball. Fresno State is such a special place, and we are thrilled to keep building on the rich history of our program. Our student-athletes, coaches and support staff are truly some of the best in the country, and this reflects their dedication and hard work. I could not be prouder to be a Bulldog and excited for the future of leading this program."
During Overland's tenure as head coach, the Bulldogs have compiled a 94-85 overall record, including a 50-40 mark in Mountain West play. He has developed six MLB Draft picks, a MW Player and Pitcher of the Year and 12 All-Conference selections.
"Ryan Overland is everything you want in a head coach — a proven winner, a relentless competitor, and a true Bulldog through and through. He's led our program to back-to-back Mountain West championships and has done it with class, grit, and a clear vision for what's next," Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy added. "As we prepare to enter the Pac-12, there's no one better to lead us into this next chapter. Ryan understands what it takes to win here, and he's building a program that reflects the pride, toughness, and excellence of the Valley."
Overland recently completed his third consecutive 30-win season at the helm of the Fresno State baseball program. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs have secured back-to-back Mountain West championships, bringing the trophy home to the Valley in each of the last two seasons. In 2025, the Bulldogs consistently ranked near the top of the conference standings, earning the No. 2 seed in the Mountain West Championship held at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. Fresno State captured the title with a dominant three-game sweep, securing its second straight NCAA tournament berth. In the Los Angeles Regional, the Bulldogs faced nationally ranked programs UCLA and UC Irvine, ultimately ending their season with two hard-fought losses.
Four Bulldogs developed by head coach Ryan Overland and his staff were selected in the first 10 rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft: Murf Gray, Jack Anker, Aidan Cremarosa and Justin Stransky.
Gray had a standout season, earning Mountain West Co-Player of the Year and Tournament MVP honors. He became the first Bulldog ever to win both Player and Freshman of the Year awards, and the first player in Mountain West history to be named tournament MVP twice. Cremarosa was named the 2025 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year before being drafted in the eighth round.
All four—Gray, Anker, Cremarosa and Stransky—were named to the All-Mountain West First Team. Gray, Cremarosa and Stransky also earned ABCA All-Region honors, and Gray was a finalist for the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Stransky, who garnered national attention as Fresno State's starting catcher, was named a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.
In his first season after having the interim tag removed, Overland led Fresno State to its first conference championship and NCAA Regional appearance since 2019. The Bulldogs finished 33–29 overall and 16–14 in Mountain West play, earning the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament in San Diego. After dropping their opening game, the Bulldogs rallied to win four straight elimination games and clinch the Mountain West title before advancing to the Santa Barbara Regional, where they fell to UC Santa Barbara and San Diego.
Tommy Hopfe was the Bulldogs' only MLB Draft selection following the 2024 season, chosen by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round. Hopfe and Grady Morgan earned All-Mountain West First Team honors, while infielders Ben Newton and Eddie Saldivar were named to the Second Team.
The Diamond 'Dogs went 30–27 overall and 16–14 in Mountain West play in Overland's interim season, earning a spot in the 2023 Mountain West Championship hosted at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium. Fresno State competed in three games before being eliminated by eventual champion San Jose State. The 'Dogs opened the 2023 season at the MLB Desert Invitational, facing Michigan, Arizona and Michigan State.
Overland was named interim head coach in January 2023 following the retirement of Bulldog legend Mike Batesole. He led the Bulldogs to their first 30-win season since 2019 and the program's best conference winning percentage (.533) since 2017. Before being named head coach, Overland spent 11 seasons as an assistant on Batesole's staff.
In 2023, Murf Gray earned MW Freshman of the Week honors a record-setting seven times and was named Freshman of the Year under Overland's leadership. Roman Angelo and Ixan Henderson also earned MW Pitcher of the Week honors multiple times in 2023. Tommy Hopfe and Ixan Henderson were also named All-MW First Team while Roman Angelo and Bobby Blandford earned All-MW Second Team honors. After Fresno State's stint in the 2023 MW Championship, Travis Welker and Tommy Hopfe were named All-Tournament Team selections.
Before being appointed interim head coach, Overland had served as the pitching coach for the Diamond 'Dogs for the past five years. In that time, the 'Dogs combined for 126 wins and a 5.01 ERA in 2001.0 innings and combined for 1,879 strikeouts while walking 844 for a 2.23 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Overland also spent 10 years as the Bulldogs' Recruiting Coordinator, which led to 36 draft picks out of Fresno State, three of which were in the first round (Ryan Jensen, Taylor Ward and Aaron Judge).
Overland has a long-running history at Fresno State as he was a catcher on the 2008 National Championship team. In his career as a Bulldog student-athlete, he played in over 180 games and won three WAC Championships along with the 2008 National Championship.