Blog Article
The Clean Slate: Matt Entz and Fresno State’s Championship Caliber Reset
Fresno State’s Matt Entz isn’t just another coaching hire.
The numbers tell a brutal truth about Fresno State’s 2024 campaign that few want to acknowledge: this was a program treading water, not swimming toward anything meaningful. A 6-7 record, including a gut-wrenching 28-20 double-overtime loss to Northern Illinois in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, represented the culmination of systemic issues that had been festering beneath the surface of what appeared to be consistent mediocrity.
But here’s where the human element gets fascinating. Fresno State athletic director Garrett Klassy didn’t panic-hire from the hot coordinator carousel or make a desperate play for a retreaded Power Five washout. Instead, he identified Matt Entz, a championship-caliber coach whose 60-11 record at North Dakota State included two FCS national titles and a staggering 15-3 playoff record.
The decision reveals something profound about institutional self-awareness: Fresno State recognized they needed someone who knew how to build winners, not someone who merely knew how to manage talent.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: What Went Wrong in 2024
The 2024 season was a masterclass in statistical mediocrity.
The raw statistical evidence from 2024 reveals the fundamental flaws that interim head coach Tim Skipper was unable to address. Fresno State averaged 340.6 total yards per game while surrendering 355.6 to opponents. That negative yardage differential of 15 yards per game tells the story of a team consistently playing from behind the chains.
The rushing attack was historically bad:
- Just 98.2 yards per game
- A pathetic 3.4 yards per carry
- Ranked 10th in the Mountain West
The defense couldn’t stop anyone on the ground:
- Allowed 139.4 rushing yards per game
- Created a vicious cycle of poor field position
- Let opponents control the clock and tempo
Turnovers told the real story:
- Generated 20 turnovers on defense (15 interceptions, 5 fumbles)
- Gave up 17 turnovers on offense
- Starting QB Mikey Keene threw 11 interceptions alone
Perhaps most telling was the road performance: 2-4 away from Valley Children’s Stadium, with offensive output dropping to 302.7 yards per game.
Championship programs travel well because their identity is not dependent on environmental advantages.
The Entz Factor: Why This Hire Changes Everything
Matt Entz arrives in Fresno with credentials that surpass those of most Group of Five hires.
His tenure at North Dakota State wasn’t only successful but also historically dominant. The 2019 season saw NDSU go 16-0, making Entz the first Division I head coach to achieve a perfect season in his first full year. That team finished with a 37-game winning streak, the third-longest in Division I history.
But statistics only tell part of the story:
- Developed eight NFL Draft picks at NDSU
- Coached Trey Lance to become the third overall pick in 2021
- Operated in an environment where championships were expected, not hoped for
The USC experience added another crucial dimension. In his lone season as assistant head coach for defense and linebackers, Entz helped the Trojans improve from 119th to 70th in total defense. Working under Lincoln Riley exposed him to modern offensive concepts while reinforcing his defensive principles at the FBS level.
Riley’s endorsement carried weight: “He made us better, he made me better.”
The Human Reality: Why Fresno State Fans Should Be Cautiously Optimistic
The hiring of coaches from successful FCS programs carries inherent risk.
The talent differential between the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Mountain West is significant. However, Entz’s profile suggests someone uniquely equipped to navigate this transition. His defensive coordinator background at Western Illinois, Northern Iowa, and North Dakota State demonstrates adaptability across different systems and talent levels.
More importantly, Entz brings what Fresno State has lacked: a clear philosophical identity.
His press conference remarks about “leading the country in physicality” and building a “run-first offense” aren’t coach-speak platitudes. They represent a fundamental shift from the finesse-oriented approach that produced inconsistent results in 2024.
The roster construction for 2025 reflects this philosophical shift:
- The transfer quarterback, E.J. Warner from Temple, provides experienced leadership
- Sophomore Bryson Donelson returns after averaging 6.0 yards per carry as a freshman
- Multiple offensive line additions, including junior college transfers
- Immediate emphasis on establishing physical dominance up front
This isn’t just roster management—it’s cultural transformation.
The Realistic Expectations: What Success Looks Like in Year One
The 2025 schedule presents both opportunities and landmines.
Opening at Kansas on August 23 provides an immediate measuring stick against a Big 12 program. Home games against Georgia Southern, Nevada, San Diego State, Wyoming, and Utah State offer winnable contests if Entz can establish his system quickly.
The road slate is unforgiving:
- Oregon State
- Colorado State
- Boise State
- San Jose State
Success in 2025 won’t be measured by wins and losses alone but by evidence of systematic improvement in the areas that plagued the 2024 team.
Data-wise, watch for improved rushing offense and third-down conversion rates. If Entz can establish a ground game that consistently generates 4.5 yards per carry while improving third-down efficiency from 2024’s levels, the foundation for sustained success will be evident.
Defensively, reducing explosive plays and improving red zone defense should be immediate priorities.
The Deeper Truth: Why This Hire Matters Beyond Football
The Matt Entz hiring represents something larger than football strategy.
It signals that Fresno State refuses to accept mediocrity as its ceiling. In a landscape where Group of Five programs often settle for coaches who “understand the level,” Fresno State pursued someone who has consistently operated above it.
This philosophical approach extends beyond X’s and O’s:
- Recruiting strategy focused on maximizing Central Valley talent
- Cultural reset emphasizing “transformational leadership.”
- Playing “for the logo” rather than individual accolades
- Building for Pac-12 competition starting in 2026
The transition to the Pac-12 in 2026 adds urgency to this rebuild. Entz isn’t just preparing for Mountain West competition; he’s laying the groundwork for a program that can compete with Oregon State, Washington State, and other Pac-12 members.
The championship pedigree he brings suggests he understands the difference between building for survival and building for dominance.
The Bottom Line: A Foundation for Sustained Excellence
Matt Entz arrives at Fresno State with a hot seat rating of 0.0—the luxury afforded to new coaches with proven track records.
However, the numbers and human story suggest this hire represents more than a fresh start; it represents a fundamental shift in institutional ambition.
The 2024 season’s struggles created the conditions for meaningful change. The 6-7 record and bowl loss wasn’t just disappointing results; they were symptoms of a program that had lost its identity.
Entz brings clarity to that identity:
- Physical, disciplined football
- Championship-caliber expectations
- Systematic player development
- Cultural transformation from top to bottom
Success in 2025 should be measured not just by bowl eligibility but by evidence of systematic improvement. If Fresno State can establish a punishing ground game, reduce turnovers, and show the mental toughness to win close games on the road, the foundation for sustained excellence will be in place.
The Matt Entz era begins with unprecedented expectations for a first-time FBS head coach.
His championship pedigree and proven ability to develop talent suggest those expectations aren’t misplaced. For a program preparing to compete in the Pac-12, this hire could represent the difference between surviving conference realignment and thriving in it.
The data shows the clear truth: Fresno State needed someone who knew how to win at the highest level. The human reality is equally compelling: they found him.
Now the only question is whether the Central Valley is ready for championship-caliber football.
