California State University-Fresno Football

THE ENTZ FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa Family - Wife: Brenda - Children: Kellen, Konner EDUCATION Wartburg College - Bachelors in Biology (1995) Wayne (Neb.) State College - Masters in Education and exercise science (1998) COACHING HISTORY Career Record (D-I head coach): 69-15 COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2025-Present: Head coach USC 2024: Assistant head coach for defense/linebackers North Dakota State 2019-23: Head coach *60-11 overall record* 2014-18: Defensive coordinator Western Illinois 2013: Associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/ defensive line Northern Iowa 2012: Defensive coordinator 2010-11: Defensive line Winona State 2005-09: Associate head coach/linebackers 2003-05: Associate head coach/defensive line 2002: Defensive coordinator Wayne State 1999-01: Assistant head coach/linebackers Illinois College 1998:Defensive coordinator Last Updated: Jan. 16, 2026 Matt Entz was named the head coach of Fresno State football on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Entz led the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record in his first season at the helm. With nine wins, he secured the second-most wins by a first-year head coach in Fresno State program history. He led the ‘Dogs to a win over Miami (OH) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, becoming only the second first-year head coach at Fresno State to lead the team to a bowl win in their first season. Entz came to the Valley from USC, where he served as the assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach. Prior to his time

THE PRIER FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Richmond, Calif. High School: Salesian High School (2011) Family - Wife: Christal - One Son EDUCATION Idaho State - Bachelors degree in business administration/ business management (2015) Idaho State - Masters in physical education/ athletic administration (2017) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2023-Present: Running Backs Eastern Washington 2021-22: Running Backs/Community Relations Idaho State 2020-21: Inside Receivers/Tight Ends/Recruiting 2017-19: Tight Ends 2016: Graduate Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE Position: Running Back/Cornerback/Kickoff Returner 2011-14: Idaho State Last Updated: February 16, 2026 Aaron Prier joined the Fresno State coaching staff in February 2023 as the Bulldogs’ running backs coach. Fresno State's rushing attack was the highlight of the offense in 2025, totaling 2,216 yards rushing for the most by a Bulldog team since 2014. Fresno State balanced the rush attack behind the efforts of Rayshon Luke, Bryson Donelson, Brandon Ramirez, Johnathan Arceneaux and Elijah Gilliam. Luke led the way with 702 yards and six touchdowns, earning All-Mountain West honorable mention. All five backs contributed in their own way, with not one having fewer than 40 rush attempts on the year. The 2024 season saw senior Malik Sherrod out with injury for a majority of the year, but a fresh body entered the room in freshman and local talent Bryson Donelson. The true freshman finished the 2024 season second on the team with 77 carrie

THE BRESKE FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Greeley, Colorado Family - Wife: Danielle - Children: Dylan, Layla, Landon EDUCATION Northern Colorado - Bachelors degree in communication (2004) South Dakota - Masters in communication (2009) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2025-Present: Linebackers Northern Illinois 2023-24: Linebackers/Special teams coordinator Washington State 2022: Defensive quality control Idaho 2019-21: Linebackers/special teams coordinator 2018: Linebackers University of Sioux Falls 2017: Linebackers/special teams coordinator Missouri Valley College 2016: Defensive line South Dakota 2011-15: Linebackers/defensive coordinator 2007-11: Linebackers University of Sioux Falls 2005-06: Linebackers/special teams coordinator Central High School 2004: Assistant coach Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Adam Breske has joined the Fresno State football coaching staff as linebackers coach, head coach Matt Entz announced on January 3, 2025. Breske is a 22-year coaching veteran, including 20 years at the collegiate level. In his first year with the Bulldogs, he coached a unit that produced the team's leading tackler and second team All-Mountain West selection Jadon Pearson. The senior captain had over 100 tackles on the season, transferring in for his final season of eligibility. Breske was a key piece to a defensive staff that led one of the top defenses in the FBS as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 1

Last Updated: February 16, 2026 Bijan Hosseini joined the Fresno State coaching staff as an offensive graduate assistant in January 2024. Since then, he made two moves on staff. He was promoted to assistant offensive line coach in February 2025 under head coach Matt Entz. And in 2026, he was named the Bulldogs' tight ends coach. Assisting with the offensive line in 2025, Hosseini coached a group that helped the Bulldogs' offense to 2,216 yards rushing for its most in a season since 2014. Fresno State center Jacob Spomer earned first team All-Mountain West honors, becoming the first and only Bulldog center to earn first team honors in the MW era. Prior to arriving in the Central Valley, he spent three seasons as the offensive line coach at Missouri Southern. Hosseini coached six All-MIAA offensive linemen. In 2023, his unit was ranked sixth in the nation for sacks allowed with eight, and second in the nation for tackles for loss allowed with 26.0. Prior to Missouri Southern, Hosseini spent one season at Independence Community College in Kansas where he served as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Hosseini began his college football career at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He participated in two seasons at the JuCo, and went on to play football for the University of Texas at El Paso. After graduating in 2019, he took his first coaching job as an assistant coach for Independence Community College. Hosseini graduated from Upland High School in Upla

THE FERENTZ FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa Family - Wife: Nikki - Children: Presley, Connolly, Jolie, John EDUCATION Iowa - Bachelors in History (2006) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State Pres: Offensive Line 2025: Tight ends Maryland 2024: Senior Offensive Assistant Iowa 2022-23: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2018-21: Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends 2017: Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs 2015-16: Offensive Line, Run Game Coordinator 2012-14: Offensive Line New England Patriots (NFL) 2011: Tight Ends 2010: Offensive Assistant/Tight Ends 2009: Coaching Assistant 2008: Scouting Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE Iowa Offensive Line 2002-05 NFL 2006: Atlanta Falcons 2007: New Orleans Saints Last Updated: February 16, 2026 Brian Ferentz was named Fresno State's tight ends coach on January 15, 2025. After one season coaching the Bulldog tight ends, he transitioned to offensive line coach for 2026. He came to the Valley from Maryland, where he spent the 2024 season as a senior offensive assistant. His coaching resume is flooded with experience in the Big Ten and the NFL. He was on staff at Iowa from 2012-23, coaching the offensive line, running backs, and tight ends in his tenure. He spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Overall, he spent seven seasons as the offensive coordinator (2017-23) for the Hawkeyes. Ferentz, a three-year letterman as an offensive lineman at the University of Iowa, was named offensive coordina

THE HARDAWAY FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif. Family - Girlfriend: Angela - Children: Bliss, Blaize EDUCATION Fresno State - Bachelors degree in Africana Studies (2019) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State Present: Wide Receivers 2024: Graduate Assistant Fresno City College 2023: Wide Receivers PLAYING EXPERIENCE Position: Wide Receiver Fresno State: 2013-19 Pittsburgh Maulers (USFL): 2021-23 Last Updated: February 16, 2026 DelVon Hardaway joined the Fresno State football coaching staff as an offensive graduate assistant in January 2024. He was promoted to wide receivers coach in February 2025 under first-year head coach Matt Entz. Hardaway worked with the receivers as a graduate assistant in 2024 In his first season as the position coach for the wide receivers, the room was highlighted by Josiah Freeman with 642 yards and six touchdowns. Freeman earned All-Mountain West honorable mention honors and ended the season with a career-high 143 yards in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. The 2024 season saw the Bulldogs' first 1,000 yard receiver since 2022 and 13th in program history as senior Mac Dalena hit the milestone. Dalena was a first team All-Mountain West selection in 2024, and was joined by fellow receiver Raylen Sharpe as an all-conference selection. Prior to his return with the Fresno State football program, Hardaway served as the wide receivers coach at Fresno City College in 2023, coaching three receivers who earned full scholarships to play after their jun

THE WILLIAMS FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Twitter: @Nodogsdown_JDW Hometown: Coalinga, Calif. High School: Coalinga Spouse: Jamie Children: David, Kyra, Nicole, Zoe EDUCATION Fresno State (1997) Bachelor's in Criminology COACHING HISTORY Fresno State Present: Cornerbacks/Def. Pass Game Coordinator 2022-24: Defensive Backs/Def. Pass Game Coordinator 2020-21: Cornerbacks/Def. Pass Game Coordinator 2019: Defensive Backs/Def. Pass Game Coordinator 2017-18: Defensive Backs UNLV 2015-16: Defensive Backs Georgia State 2013-14: Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coordinator UNLV 2012: Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach/DBs 2010-11: Defensive Backs/Asst. Head Coach/ Pass Defense Coordinator Utah 2009: Defensive Backs Washington 2006-08: Defensive Backs California 2002-05: Defensive Backs Fresno State 2000-01: Defensive Backs San Jose State 1999: Defensive Backs Cal Poly 1998: Defensive Backs Fresno State 1997: Graduate Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE Fresno State 1986-89: Defensive Back Buffalo Bills 1990-93: Defensive Back Arizona Cardinals 1994: Defensive Back Carolina Panthers 1995: Defensive Back San Francisco 49ers 1996: Defensive Back Last updated March 9, 2026 J.D. Williams returned to his alma mater in 2017 for his third coaching stint at Fresno State. He once served as an assistant coach (2000-01) and graduate assistant (1997) under Pat Hill. Williams, who enters the 10th season of his most recent stretch, will coach the cornerbacks again in 2026. Williams was a key piece to a defen

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Jared Taylor was brought on to the Fresno State football staff as an offensive analyst under first year head coach Matt Entz in F...

THE BAXTER FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Chicago, Ill. High School: Loyola Academy Family - Wife: Jill - Daughters: Kelly, McKenzie EDUCATION Loras College - Bachelors in Physical Education (1985) Iowa State - Masters in Higher Education (1987) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State Pres.: Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator 2024-25: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator 2022-23: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/ Tight Ends USC 2018: Special Teams Coordinator 2016-17: Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Michigan 2015: Special Teams Coordinator USC 2013: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/ TE 2010-12: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Fresno State 2009: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams/TE 2004-08: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams/WR 2003: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams/TE 2002: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams/WR 1997-01: Associate Head Coach/Special Teams/TE Tulane 1994-96: Tight Ends/Special Teams Maryland 1992-93: Running Backs/Special Teams Arizona 1990-91: Tight Ends/Special Teams Maine 1989: Outside Linebackers/Special Teams Arizona 1988: Graduate Assistant/DB/Special Teams Iowa State 1986-87: Graduate Assistant/DL/Special Teams Loras College 1981-85: Student Assistant/RB PLAYING EXPERIENCE None. Last Updated: February 13, 2026 John Baxter, known for producing extremely productive special teams units and also for working with tight ends for nearly half of his coaching career, joined the Bulldogs ahead of

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Johnathan Whitfield joined the Fresno State staff as an offensive analyst in 2025. He will assist with the running backs. In the first season, Fresno State rushed for 2,216 yards. It was its first time over 2,000 yards rushing since 2018, and its most rushing yards since 2014. The Bulldogs' rush attack was powered by several talents, led by Rayshon Luke with 702 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a Bulldog. Prior to arriving at Fresno State, Whitfield was the defensive backs coach for a year at Grossmont College. He was the running backs coach there from February-June of 2024. He also has experience at the high school level, serving in various roles over the years as the defensive backs coach, defensive coordinator, and running backs coach from 2021-24 at Eastlake High School (Chula Vista, Calif.). He also had a brief coaching stint at Castle Park High School in 2019-20. His coaching career began as a student assistant coach at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. In the summer of 2022, Whitfield was a team member with the Kansas City Chiefs equipment department in part of its training camp internship. Whitfield played collegiately at Grand View from 2013-16, and was a member of the NAIA National Championship team in 2013. He earned his undergraduate degree in history with a minor in political science from Grand View in 2017. He earned his masters of coaching and athletic administration from the University of Concordia, Irvine in

THE GIGLI FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind. High School: Bishop Luers High School Family - Wife: Samantha - Children: Jack, June & James EDUCATION Trine University -Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Marketing (2003) Western Illinois -Masters degree in Kinesiology, Sport Management (2006) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2025-Pres.: Defensive Line Northern Illinois 2019-24: Defensive Line North Dakota 2014-18: Defensive Line Sacramento State 2011-13: Defensive Line Minnesota 2007-10: Defensive Quality Control Wittenberg 2006: Defensive Line Western Illinois 2004-05: Graduate Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE Trine University (1999-2002) Defensive Line Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Jordan Gigli joined the Fresno State coaching staff as the defensive line coach in January 2025. He came to the Valley from Northern Illinois where he spent the 2019-24 seasons as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first season with the Bulldogs, Gigli (pronounced GEE-lee) coached two All-Mountain West selections in Finn Claypool and Deijon Laffitte. Junior Jahzon Jacks was the FBS leader with four fumble recoveries in 2025. Gigli was a key piece to a defensive staff that led one of the top defenses in the FBS as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. The success of the Bulldogs' defense in 2025 was its best since at lea

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Justin Bailey joined the Bulldog coaching staff as a defensive graduate assistant in May 2024. Bailey assisted a defensive staff that led one of the top defenses in the FBS as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. The success of the Bulldogs' defense in 2025 was its best since at least the 1992 season. Fresno State has not allowed fewer than 300 yards of offense to its opponent in the last three decades. Bailey came to Fresno State from Winona State University, where he was the tight ends coach, fullbacks coach, and the assistant special teams coordinator. He spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at Winona State, helping grow student-athletes on the field and off the field. Bailey also had a hand in recruiting as the main recruiter for tight ends and fullbacks. Prior to his full-time assistant position, he served as a defensive line quality control assistant at Northern Illinois from 2021-22. He got his collegiate coaching experience started as a student, serving as a student assistant with the tight ends and fullbacks at Kansas Wesleyan from 2019-21. Bailey helped with practice, game days, recruiting and more while a student assistant. Bailey also served as the Yorba Linda High School junior varsity offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2017-18. A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., Bailey began his collegiate

THE HALL-OLIVER FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska High School: Central High School EDUCATION Minnesota State Bachelors degree in sport management (2014) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2025-Present: Edge Stony Brook 2024: Safeties JMU 2022-23: Safeties 2020-21: Defensive Tackles University of Sioux Falls 2017-18: Defensive Line Eastern Michigan 2016: Graduate Assistant Minnesota State 2013-15: Graduate Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE Linebacker 2009-10: Nebraska-Omaha 2011-12: Minnesota State Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Marcus Hall-Oliver was added to Fresno State's coaching staff in January 2025 as the Edge coach. In the summer of 2025, Hall-Oliver was selected for the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Cleveland Browns. Hall-Oliver was a key piece to a defensive staff that led one of the top defenses in the FBS as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. The success of the Bulldogs' defense in 2025 was its best since at least the 1992 season. Fresno State has not allowed fewer than 300 yards of offense to its opponent in the last three decades. Junior defensive end Jahzon Jacks was the FBS leader with four fumble recoveries in 2025. It was the most by a Bulldog in a season since at least 2005. He came to the Valley from Stony Brook. Stony Brook football added Hall-Oliver to first year head coach Billy Cosh's coac

THE BENEDETTO FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Crystal Lake, Ill. High School: Crystal Lake South High School Family - Wife: Kelsey - Children: Rocco, Ace, Amara EDUCATION University of Sioux Falls - Bachelors in Mathematics (2009) South Dakota - Masters in Sports Management (2011) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2025-Pres.: Defensive coordinator/safeties Northern Illinois 2022-24: Defensive coordinator/Safeties Samford University 2020-22: Defensive coordinator University of Sioux Falls 2017-19: Defensive coordinator West Virginia State 2013-16: Defensive coordinator/defensive backs/ recruiting coordinator Grand View University 2012: Special teams coordinator/defensive backs University of South Dakota 2010-11: Graduate Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE University of Sioux Falls Defensive back 2005-08 2008 NAIA National Champions team captain Last Updated: February 6, 2026 Nick Benedetto was hired as the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator on December 28, 2024. Benedetto will also coach the safeties at Fresno State. After his first season on staff, he added the title of Associate Head Coach to his title. Benedetto led one of the top defenses in the FBS in his first season as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. Benedetto was one of four FBS defensive coordinators to be in the Top 20 in those two statistical categories in each of the last two seaso

FootballSkip AdPetras, SpencerBailey, JustinBaxter, JohnBenedetto, NickBreske, AdamDavis, JoshEntz, MattFerentz, BrianGigli, JordanHall-Oliver, MarcusHardaway, DelVonHosseini, BijanMeyer, TuckerPetras, SpencerPrier, AaronTaylor, JaredTerrell, TyroneWhitfield, JohnathanWilliams, J.D.

Last Updated: Mar. 9, 2026 Tucker Meyer joined the Fresno State coaching staff as a defensive analyst and nickels coach in February 2025 with first year head coach Matt Entz. Meyer was a key piece to a defensive staff that led one of the top defenses in the FBS as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. The success of the Bulldogs' defense in 2025 was its best since at least the 1992 season. Fresno State has not allowed fewer than 300 yards of offense to its opponent in the last three decades. The nickel room was led by Simeon Harris, who earned All-Mountain West honorable mention honors in 2025. Harris started all 13 games and was the team's second-leading tackler. In his first year with the Bulldogs, he led the Mountain West and was 7th in the FBS in interceptions with five. Prior to joining the Bulldogs, he spent the 2024 season at UCLA as a special teams analyst. He was North Dakota State’s defensive quality control coach and assisted with the outside linebackers during the 2023 football season. Meyer joined the Bison football staff after one year at Charlotte in 2022 and two years as a defensive graduate assistant at Mississippi State from in 2020 and 2021, where he worked alongside NDSU defensive tackles coach Jeff Phelps. Meyer has also worked at the FCS level with Montana, where he was a defensive graduate assistant in 2019. A 2017 g

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 Tyrone Terrell enters his second year on Matt Entz's staff as a defensive analyst, assisting with the defensive line. Terrell assisted with one of the top defenses in the FBS as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. The success of the Bulldogs' defense in 2025 was its best since at least the 1992 season. Fresno State has not allowed fewer than 300 yards of offense to its opponent in the last three decades. Although 2025 was his first season in a coaching-type role, Terrell has a long history with the Bulldog football program in several departments including scouting, recruiting, and equipment. He has been with the Bulldogs in various roles since the 2021 season, being a part of three bowl game wins and a Mountain West championship season. As a student assistant, Terrell was the point person in distributing scout, practice and game film through various platforms. He also served as an offensive signal caller and assisted in player-to-coach communication for the offense. In his recruiting roles, he planned photo shoots, campus tours, and transportation. He would also assist in coaches' travel itineraries for recruiting on the road. While working with equipment, he managed an efficient equipment operation for every day operations, practices and game day as the second lead to the assistant athletics director for equi