Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

12 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

13 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

1 day ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

1 day ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

1 day ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

1 day ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

2 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

2 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

2 days ago
Tedford Saved the Bulldogs. Now He's Saving Himself.
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
December 6, 2019

Share

Jeff Tedford, who breathed new life into Fresno State’s down-on-its luck football program, has resigned in order to save his own life.
“It is with a heavy heart, and there is no pun intended in that, I am announcing today I need to step down as head coach,” Tedford said Friday morning.

“While I appreciate football, the stresses and anxieties of this job do not match up well with my cardiac issues.” — Jeff Tedford
At a hastily called news conference, Tedford said he experienced unusual symptoms at a practice about two weeks ago.
He said his heart had to be shocked because of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat.

Procedure Scheduled at Mayo Clinic

He has an ablation — described by the American Heart Association, as “a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy (similar to microwave heat) to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing rapid and irregular heartbeats” — scheduled in January at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
“While I appreciate football,” Tedford said, “the stresses and anxieties of this job do not match up well with my cardiac issues.”
Tedford will remain with Fresno State as a special assistant to athletic director Terry Tumey.

Evaluating Family Life

Tedford, 58, acknowledged how difficult the job of a head coach could be on family.
“This is a very selfish profession,” said Tedford, a football lifer. “It’s 24-7, 365 days a year. (My wife) deserves from me some quality time … sometimes even when I’m physically present, I’m not necessarily listening or well connected. There’s a lot on my mind.”
Toward the end of his 30 minutes news conference, Tedford fought back tears while reflecting on his family.
“My wife (Donna) and my sons have sacrificed a lot. Now it’s time to live,” Tedford said.
Technically, this is a resignation rather than a retirement, a designation that has to do with a state pension, Tedford said.

Transitioning to a New Coach

The timing of Tedford’s exit and state law may complicate filling the vacancy by the Dec. 18 National Letter of Intent signing day.

“My wife (Donna) and my sons have sacrificed a lot. Now it’s time to live.” — Jeff Tedford
State law mandates a 14-day window between when a job becomes vacant, and when it can be filled.
Tedford announced offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as the interim coach.

Tumey: ‘Everything We Want in a Bulldog’

Both Tedford and Tumey said the Fresno State coaching job is an attractive one.
Tumey said a coach with character is important. But, someone with Central Valley or Fresno State ties is not a prerequisite.
“That’s something you can take into consideration. But it will not be the decisive point as it comes to this very, very important position,” he said.
Tumey also spoke about the positive mark that Tedford leaves on the program.
“This is a very difficult day for me and as an athletic director,” Tumey said. “Jeff Tedford embodies everything we want in a Bulldog. That is the legacy that Jeff Tedford will leave here as a coach, and that is the legacy we will continue to carry on, as an athletic department, and as a program here at Fresno State.”

Tedford Disappointed That Resignation Was Leaked

“I am disappointed how this news broke. Because, I owe it to … my staff, my players, to be able to tell them in person,” Tedford said.
The Athletic reporter Bruce Feldman broke the news at 8:41 p.m. PT Thursday night on Twitter. Much of the local media followed, some citing Feldman, some not.
Fresno State announced a news conference for Friday shortly thereafter.
The other item in Feldman’s tweet, whether former Fresno State and current Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer is a leading candidate, was not addressed during Friday’s news conference.


Photo of Fresno State football coach Jeff Tedford holding the trophy
Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford holds up the trophy after his team defeated Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

A Football Life

Fresno State hired Tedford following the 2016 season and he had a 26-14 record during his tenure. He took over a one-win team and quickly rebuilt the program.
For Tedford, Fresno State was a return destination — he quarterbacked the team in 1981-82 under Coach Jim Sweeney.
The Bulldogs went 10-4 in his first season and played in the Mountain West title game. Fresno State then set a school record for wins last season with a 12-2 mark that included a conference title game win over longtime nemesis Boise State and then a win over Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Fresno State finished ranked 18th in the nation.
The Bulldogs slumped to a 4-8 finish this year, losing their final four games.
Tedford began his head coaching career at California. He led the Golden Bears to an 82-57 record and eight bowl bids in 11 seasons.
He helped tutor future first-round quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Kyle Boller during his tenure and got Cal as high as No. 4 in the rankings in 2004 but never made it to the Rose Bowl.
After being fired from Cal following the 2012 season, Tedford took a job as offensive coordinator in the NFL with Tampa Bay in 2014. He stepped down from that job in the preseason with heart problems.
He coached in the CFL and then spent one season as a consultant at Washington before getting a second chance as a college head coach at Fresno State.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

DON'T MISS

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

UP NEXT

After Record Democratic Speech, House Republicans Begin Final Vote on Trump Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

UP NEXT

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

Bryan Kohberger to Plead Guilty to Murders of Four Idaho Students

UP NEXT

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

UP NEXT

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

UP NEXT

Four Rescued After Kings River Float Turns Dangerous

UP NEXT

How Wimbledon Is Tackling Its Hottest Opening on Record

UP NEXT

Tulare County Gang Robber Sentenced to Life in Prison for Attempted Murder of Police Officer

UP NEXT

Labor Icon Huerta Breaks Ground on Fresno Park Bearing Her Name

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

12 hours ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

12 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

12 hours ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

12 hours ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

12 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

12 hours ago

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

13 hours ago

Boxer Chavez Jr Expected to Be Deported to Mexico to Serve Sentence, Mexican President Says

13 hours ago

Markets’ 90-Day Tariff Pause Rollercoaster Nears an Uncertain End

13 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

13 hours ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign a massive package of tax and spending cuts into law at a ceremony at the White House on Friday, ...

11 hours ago

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
11 hours ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

The Madre Fire burning near New Cuyama has scorched 70,801 acres as of Friday, July 4, 2025, afternoon, making it California’s largest wildfire of the year, with only 10% containment and multiple evacuation zones in place. (CalFire)
11 hours ago

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

11 hours ago

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

A pumpjack operates at the Vermilion Energy site in Trigueres, France, June 14, 2024. (Reuters File)
12 hours ago

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters File)
12 hours ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

Billy Wayne Sinisgalli, a 54-year-old transient known locally as Wayne, was found dead along a rural Fresno road Wednesday in what authorities are investigating as a suspicious death. (Fresno County SO)
12 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

Israel Builds a Fence Around the West Bank
12 hours ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

A view of the site of Thursday's Israeli strike that damaged and destroyed residential buildings, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp, in Gaza City, July 4, 2025. (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa)
12 hours ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend