Fresno State football head coach Matt Entz announced Tuesday that position coaches JD Williams (cornerbacks) and Aaron Prier (running backs) will remain on staff.

The announcement follows Entz’s decision to retain John Baxter as special teams coordinator.

Related Story: RB Elijah Gilliam Enters Fresno State Transfer Portal. Who Else Wants Out?

JD Williams: A Bulldog Through and Through

Williams, a Bulldog alumnus, will continue his third stint coaching at his alma mater. He served as a graduate assistant (1997) and defensive backs coach (2000-2001) under Pat Hill. He returned in 2017 to work with the secondary under Jeff Tedford, Kalen DeBoer, Lee Marks, and Tim Skipper.

With 27 years of coaching experience, Williams has held positions at programs like Cal Poly, San Jose State, UC Berkeley, Washington, Utah, UNLV, and Georgia State.

In 2021, Williams played a key role in recruiting and coaching NFL Draft pick DaRon Bland (Dallas Cowboys) for one season. In 2023, Bland set a new NFL record for most Pick-6’s in a season with five, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro selection.

He mentored NFL Draft prospect Cam Lockridge when came to the Bulldogs in 2022. In the 2024 season, Lockridge ranked No. 17 in the FBS for interceptions and passes defended, earning a spot on the All-Mountain West first team.

An All-American during his Bulldog career (1986-1989), Williams was a first-round draft pick in 1990 by the Buffalo Bills. His seven-year professional career included stints with the Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers, helping all four Bills teams reach the Super Bowl (1991-94).

He was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

Related Story: Fresno State Hires New Defensive Coordinator Nick Benedetto

Aaron Prier Continues to Build Running Back Room

Prier has been with the program since 2023. Before that, he coached running backs at Eastern Washington (2021-2022).

At Idaho State, his alma mater, Prier started as a graduate assistant and coached tight ends, inside receivers, and served as a recruiter (2016-2021).

During his playing career with the Bengals (2011-2014), Prier was a running back, cornerback, and kickoff returner.

In his first year with the Bulldogs, Malik Sherrod earned All-Mountain West honorable mention. Sherrod was sidelined through 2024 due to injury, with senior Elijah Gilliam and Visalia native freshman Bryson Donelson stepping up in his absence.

Gilliam, who entered the transfer portal on Sunday, rushed for 466 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 32 passes for 203 yards this past season. Donelson contributed 462 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Related Story: Fresno State Hires New Offensive Coordinator, Keeps John Baxter

Entz’s Staff Taking Shape

So far, Entz has hired two new coordinators — Josh Davis as offensive coordinator and Nick Benedetto as defensive coordinator — and one position coach, Zach Crabtree as offensive line coach, while retaining one coordinator and two position coaches from last year’s staff.