Fresno State football coach Jeff Tedford stepping down, cites recurring health concerns

Fresno State football coach Jeff Tedford, who returned to the sidelines in 2022 following a heart-related health scare, is stepping down as Bulldogs’ coach.

“It is with sad emotions that following my recent medical check-up, it is clear that due to health concerns, my family and I have made the decision to step aside as Fresno State’s head coach and allow someone else to lead the football program,” said Tedford in a statement from the athletics department.

“I have a tremendous amount of pride and passion for Fresno State, and I understand the time and energy necessary to lead at a high level. The players, coaches and Bulldog supporters deserve the best. Unfortunately, I am not able to sustain the commitment needed to perform at the level needed to guide the program. We are extremely fortunate to have continuity with a great coaching staff. I have full confidence that they will continue to guide our terrific student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off the field.”

Linebackers coach Tim Skipper will serve as interim coach — the Bulldogs are scheduled to open fall camp in two weeks, with an Aug. 31 date at defending champion Michigan to open the season. Skipper led the Bulldogs to a 37-10 victory over New Mexico State in the New Mexico Bowl last December to cap a 9-4 season, after Tedford stepped away briefly due to a health concern.

Tedford, who represented Fresno State at the Mountain West Conference media days last week, is 127-79 (.617) in 16 seasons as a college head coach at Cal and Fresno State. He has led the Bulldogs to 19 wins, one conference championship and two bowl victories over the past two seasons and twice has made history at his alma mater.

In his first stint at Fresno State from 2017 to 2019, Tedford inherited a program that went 1-11. He became the first coach to lead a one-win team to 10 or more wins in his first two seasons. The Bulldogs went 10-4 in 2017 and 12-2 with a Mountain West championship in 2018. Then, in 2022, the Bulldogs’ coach became the first in history to take a team off to a 1-4 start to a 10-win season.

Tedford is 45-22 in years at Fresno State with Mountain West championships and 4-0 in bowl games. He was under contract through the 2026 football season. Under terms of that deal, in the event Tedford is unable to perform the duties as Bulldogs’ coach due to health-related concerns, he shall be deemed to have resigned and all compensation and other obligation owed by the university of its Athletic Corporation shall cease.

“Coach Tedford’s contributions to Fresno State and the Central Valley have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said athletics director Garrett Klassy in the statement. “His dedication, passion, and commitment have not only led our football program to numerous championships but also deeply impacted the community.

“Our goal during this coaching transition is to ensure it is as seamless as possible for our student-athletes, and to continue the championship culture that Coach Tedford has established. We are grateful for his endless contributions, wish him the best with his health, and I expect to lean on Coach Tedford during my transition due to his incredible insight and relationships.”

Former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener texted with Tedford immediately after hearing he was stepping away.

“He’s somebody who has been there from the very beginning, when I was a kid,” said Haener, who is now with the New Orleans Saints. “That’s something I probably don’t think about enough. You meet so many people and you go through so much on the journey to try to get where I am right now. But, man, he was there since I was a little guy. He helped point me in the right direction. He’s someone my dad would seek advice from. He was kind of always watching over me and from afar was always rooting for me. I feel like it was the icing on the cake to be able to play for him that last year of my career and it’s not something I will ever forget. He’s somebody who has been a big mentor of mine and somebody that I have so much respect for, has done it so well for so many years.

“It’s tough. I just first and foremost want him to be alright and want him to figure his health stuff out so he can be around for his grand kids and watch them get older and enjoy the rest of his days. I’m sure it’s stressful. I can’t even imagine. I’m sure he’ll figure it out and get the best care, get it going in the right direction.”

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who was at Eastern Michigan when Tedford hired him to be the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator in 2017, also expressed his concern, and gratitude to Tedford.

“Jeff is the best of the best I’ve ever been around when it comes to being a head coach,” DeBoer said. “But everyone that knows him would agree that he’s an even better person. He has done so much for me and my family. The two years that we were together were some of the best of my life, as a coach. He taught me a ton, and the turnaround we had there, especially in 2017, it kind of blows me away when I think back on it, taking a 1-11 team and going 10-4 and getting to the conference championship and then being even better the year after it.

“It’s just a tribute to how great of a coach he is. I learned so much. He’s a genius when it comes to the Xs and Os and when it comes to being a head coach, overseeing the whole program and just having it all under control, he’s phenomenal.”

Skipper, the former Bulldogs’ linebacker, takes the helm of a program he knows well and one that again is expected to compete for a Mountain West championship. Fresno State was picked to finish third in a preseason media poll, and quarterback Mikey Keene was selected to the preseason all-conference team along with running back Malik Sherrod, guard Mose Vavao and defensive end Devo Bridges.

The Bulldogs have won a Mountain West title every time their quarterback has been on the preseason all-conference team - Haener in 2022, and Derek Carr in 2012 and 2013.

“Coach Tedford is a living legend,” Skipper said. “ He is definitely an innovator and trendsetter of the game. His impact on college football will be felt forever, and I feel very fortunate to be able to have coached on his staff these past two seasons. The knowledge I have gained is priceless. I am looking forward to leading Bulldog football next season, and to continue the pride and tradition here at Fresno State to make the Red Wave proud.”

This story will be updated.