Fresno State football coach Jeff Tedford is “stepping away” from his duties to address his health, athletic director Terry Tumey said in a statement on Friday morning.

“Tim Skipper, assistant head coach and linebackers coach, will serve as acting head coach through the upcoming bowl game, which will be determined on Sunday,” Tumey said. “The entire Fresno State community sends its thoughts and prayers to Coach Tedford and wish him a speedy recovery.”

Tumey didn’t say if Tedford, 62, was leaving the program for good or would return for the 2024 season.

The Bulldogs will enter the bowl game with an 8-4 record and on a three-game losing streak.

I was just told that this is NOT a resignation, and least not at this time. Tim Skipper will be coaching the Bulldogs in their bowl game but he is NOT the “interim head coach.” At this time, Fresno State is not planning a national search to replace Jeff Tedford.

— Andrew Marden (@andrewmarden) December 1, 2023

Tedford, a former Fresno State quarterback, coached the Bulldogs from 2017 to 2019 before leaving because of health problems.

His successor, Kalen DeBoer, coached two seasons before taking the job at the University of Washington. That opened the door for Tedford’s return in 2021.

From 2002 to 2012, Tedford coached at California, where he was twice named Pac-10 Coach of the Year and set the school record for most wins, games coached, and bowl game victories.

He has a 44-22 record at Fresno State over five seasons and was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2017. Fresno State has appeared in the Associated Press Top 25 every season except 2019 under Tedford.

His record at Cal was 82-57.

Tedford is in the second year of a five-year contract worth $8.25 million.

Bowl season, transfer portal, NIL, recruiting… nothing is more important than health. Praying for Coach Tedford & all involved. Tim Skipper is a true Bulldog – a charismatic leader the players know & respect, & he’ll do a great job steering the ship over the weeks ahead. https://t.co/5QQYRkHHZO

— Paul Loeffler (@P356Loeffler) December 1, 2023

About Tim Skipper

Skipper joined the Bulldog staff for his second stint as a Bulldogs’ coach for the 2022 season.

He has also had coaching stints at Florida, Colorado State, Sacramento State, UNLV, Central Michigan, and Western New Mexico.

Like Tedford, Skipper played football at Fresno State, where was a four-year starter at Fresno State at middle linebacker from 1997-2000

MW Announces Games With Oregon State, Washington State

The Mountain West Conference announced a football scheduling agreement for 2024 between the Mountain West, Oregon State, and Washington State.

Oregon State and Washington State will be the lone remaining members of the Pac-12 next season following conference realignment.

Next season, all 12 MWC teams will play seven conference football games plus one contest against Washington State or Oregon State.

However, the games against OSU and WSU will not count toward the conference standings, and neither Pac-12 school will be eligible for the MWC championship game. Mountain West officials say they are working on the football schedule and will release matchups soon.

“This is a unique and unprecedented opportunity for Oregon State and Washington State to play against highly competitive Mountain West football programs in 2024,” said MWC Commissioner Gloria Nevarez in a news release. “The scheduling agreement will expand the Mountain West footprint and enhance our national brand, while providing our student-athletes with new opportunities, all in line with our strategic priorities.”