The reeling Fresno State football program is hiring USC assistant Matt Entz as its head coach, the university said early Wednesday evening.

Entz is a former North Dakota State head coach. From 2019 through 2023, he led the Bisons to a 60-10 record that included two FCS national championships.

ESPN reported that Entz and Fresno State are looking to negotiate a five-year contract.

He replaces Bulldogs interim coach Tim Skipper, who stepped in shortly before the season’s start after Jeff Tedford retired, citing health reasons. The Bulldogs are 6-6 and bowl-eligible but didn’t meet preseason expectations as its offense repeatedly faltered.

“Fresno State will officially welcome Matt Entz as the 23rd head coach in Fresno State Football program history with an introductory press conference on Thursday at 10 a.m. PT inside the Josephine Auditorium,” the university said in a media statement.  

Flood of Bulldogs Say They’re Exiting Program

One of the first challenges for Entz is convincing some of the team’s most talented players to exit the transfer portal.

Amid the uncertainty created by Fresno State’s inexplicable delay in announcing Skipper’s fate, a flood of players are looking to go elsewhere.

For example, after quarterback Mikey Keene said Tuesday he would enter the portal, sophomore wide receiver Jalen Moss announced on his social media that evening he was following suit. Moss specifically cited the uncertainty of the coaching situation as a factor.

Moss wrote on X: “Thank you, Red Wave, for your unwavering love and support. To my teammates, the bond we share is forever – go out there and be great! To my coaches, I’m deeply grateful for your belief in me and for pushing me to become the best student-athlete and man I can be.”

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— Jalen Moss (@jalen_moss) December 4, 2024

Entz also is taking over a program in disarray during the period to sign recruits, which began on Wednesday. Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program and Fresno State’s conference rivals are looking to capitalize on the Bulldogs’ dysfunction. Fresno State’s recruiting success — or failure — this year will impact the team’s fortunes when it exits the Mountain West for the Pac-12 for the 2026 season.

Related Story: Fresno State QB Mikey Keene Says He’s Entering Transfer Portal

Moss’s Impact on Fresno State’s Offense

The wideout was a bright spot to a struggling offense in 2024, a reliable returner on special teams, and was a part of a solid receiving corps with Mac Dalena and Raylen Sharpe. He’d been with the program since his freshman year in 2023.

Moss had 48 receptions for 563 yards and four touchdowns this season. In 2023, he caught 55 passes for 706 yards and six touchdowns.

Related Story: Three Bulldogs Selected to All-MW First Team in Football

Other Players Entering the Transfer Portal

Other departing wide receivers are junior Karin McCune II and redshirt junior Antoine Sullivan.

Additional transfer exits include junior tight end Kamron Beachem, junior offensive lineman Julius Gandy, redshirt senior defensive back Justin Houston.

Related Story: Skipper Says His Future Is Unknown After Bulldogs Fall to Bruins

Al’zillion Hamilton Says Farewell to The Red Wave

Junior cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton also stated his intention to leave. He was one half of the tandem with senior cornerback Cam Lockridge. He ranked No. 3 (MW) and No. 8 (FBS) in passes defended with two interceptions and 13 passes broken up this season.

Hamilton played in 41 games over four years having been with program as a freshman in 2021. He was also named as a conference honorable mention this year.

“I want to say thank you to the Red Wave for coming out on game days to support us. Fresno has the best fan base in the Mountain West!” Hamilton wrote on X. “With that being said, I have officially entered my name into the transfer portal with 1 yr of eligibility I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career

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— alzillion hamilton (@alzillionhamil1) December 3, 2024

Junior defensive lineman Gavriel Lightfoot and junior linebacker Phoenix Jackson are also listed in the transfer portal. Both were key contributors to a Fresno State defense that carried the team for much of the season.

Jackson had 48 tackles, four sacks, 6.5 tackles for losses, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 11 games. Lightfoot had 37 tackles and 1.5 tackles for losses.

NCAA Portal Rules

NCAA rules allow players to withdraw from the transfer portal.

Following the 2021 season, star Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener said he was entering the transfer portal to return to Washington, the program that originally recruited him. He returned to the Bulldogs instead.