During Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas, talk of conference realignment dominated the conversation — in the headlines and in the hallways — for good reason, as it will shape the future of western college football. But quietly moving through that noise was a presence that commanded its own kind of attention.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t loud.
It was Matt Entz.
A quiet confidence followed the two-time national champion coach into every room. And why not? With a 60-11 record at North Dakota State, two FCS national championships, and a .857 winning percentage, Entz doesn’t need to manufacture hype. He’s lived it. But the biggest surprise of all might be where his path led just months before his arrival at Fresno State.
Entz made headlines in December 2023 by leaving the comfort and prestige of his head coaching role at NDSU to take a non-head coaching job at USC — as assistant head coach for defense and linebackers. For many, it was puzzling. For Entz, it was purposeful.
“Even the people around me were surprised,” he said at a USC event in 2024. “But I have career goals. Going to USC wasn’t just about a job, it was about growth and even the brand.”
The move had an end in mind, like preparing for a job at Fresno State.
And that “end” didn’t come without bumps.
Taking the Reins After a Popular Leader
Fresno State’s 2024 season was turbulent. After a mid-summer coaching change, longtime assistant and former Bulldog linebacker Tim Skipper took over as interim head coach. Skipper, with over two decades of experience and deep ties to the program, was beloved by players, fans, donors, and university leaders alike.
So when the university opted not to give Skipper the full-time role, emotions ran high. Several players entered the transfer portal immediately. Walls went up. The locker room was guarded.
Entz didn’t dodge it. He addressed it head-on in his introductory press conference, making it clear he understood the emotions involved and that he had a plan for moving forward.
“My point to Bulldog Nation is I have a plan in place. I know I’m not a Bulldog, not an alum. But I do think I have Bulldog qualities. I think the things that are important to this community, the things that are important to this football program, can resonate with me.”
The message was simple: I hear you. I respect what came before me. But I’m here to build something.
A Blueprint Rooted in Preparation
Entz’s coaching philosophy was shaped in part by Bob Nielson, his college coach at Wartburg and a widely respected figure in college football who recently retired after nine seasons leading South Dakota.
“He was so detail-oriented and organized,” Entz said. “The more structured you are, the fewer uncontrollables you have. High-pressure jobs are about avoiding the stress that comes from being unprepared.”
That approach paid off at NDSU, where Entz became the first Division I head coach to post a 16-0 record in his first full season, leading the 2019 Bison to a national title. Over the course of five years, he coached eight NFL Draft picks — including Trey Lance — and was named FCS National Coach of the Year twice.
But for Entz, coaching has never been just about wins. It’s about the people.
Coaching for Life, Not Just Football
“When I became a dad, everything changed,” Entz reflected. “I wanted to become the coach I’d want for my own kids.”
That transformation shaped how he built programs not just for Saturdays, but for life beyond the football field.
“Everyone has a finite number of reps. When football ends, do you have the tools to be successful as a father, a husband, a community member? That’s why I do this.”
Those bonds endure. Entz still receives wedding invitations and baby announcements from former players, and now he’s recruiting their sons, which he still can’t believe is happening.
“That’s the highest compliment,” he said. “When someone wants their kid to play for you.”
He hopes to create a similar culture in Fresno, a place where the past is honored and the future is built on connection.
A Familiar Grit
Though Fresno and Fargo may be separated by nearly 2,000 miles, Entz sees shared values.
“There’s pride in what these communities do,” he said. “They want tough, disciplined football. They want players who reflect their values. That’s what we built at North Dakota State, and that’s what we’ll build here.”
And while the Bulldogs prepare to join the newly restructured Pac-12 next season, Entz isn’t focused on headlines. He’s focused on habits.
“There’s work ahead,” he said. “But I’ve got a blueprint that works.”
Off the Field, Just Don’t Ask Him to Post His Cooking
Away from football, Entz likes to cook, though he keeps his culinary skills under wraps.
“I’m very routine-oriented. I haven’t gotten into smoking meat yet, because if I did, I’d go overboard,” he laughed. “But I love to cook. Just don’t ask me to post it. I learned that lesson from Coach Riley at USC. We still laugh about that one.”
A Changing Landscape, A Proven Leader
Entz’s move continues a recent trend of schools betting big on successful FCS coaches. Nevada hired former Montana State coach Jeff Choate. New Mexico hired Jason Eck away from Idaho. It’s not hard to see why. These coaches have already built winners. They’ve done more with less. And in Entz’s case, he’s done it with detail and toughness, a profile that fits Fresno State’s DNA.
So while the national headlines swirl around TV contracts and conference maps, Fresno has already made a statement not with a press release, but with a person.
They chose a builder. A straight shooter. Football guy. A coach with a plan.
