Jul 172 min read

Jeff Tedford Steps Down, Candidates You Need to Know

The Fresno State Bulldogs will have a different boss on the sidelines in 2024. Jeff Tedford announced on July 15 he was stepping down as coach for the Bulldogs because of health reasons. Tedford leaves the Bulldogs with a 45-22 record at the school.

So, with a little over a month until we kick off the 2024 season, the athletic director at Fresno State must now conduct a rushed search for a full-time coach.

So, who would be some good candidates to replace Tedford? Below are a few listed who are sitting at home possibly scratching that itch to coach again or are looking for an upgrade in their job title.

Brent Vigen, Montana State

Vigen has been the head man for the Bobcats since 2021 and has amassed a 32-9 record that includes an appearance in the FCS Championship Game in 2023 and a Big Sky Conference title in 2022. With coaching stops at North Dakota State and Wyoming, Vigen has extensive coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball.

Gary Patterson

As the former coach and winningest head coach in TCU history, Patterson has an 181-79 coaching record and an 11-6 bowl record. While with the Horned Frogs from 2000-2021, Patterson coached TCU to 11 10-plus win seasons.

Patterson led the Horned Frogs to one Conference USA title, four Mountain West Conference titles and one Big 12 Conference championship. In addition, Patterson has won numerous Coach of the Year awards. In 2022, Patterson served as special assistant to coach Steve Sarkisian at Texas. Currently, Patterson is a consultant at Baylor.

Ed Orgeron

"Coach O" won the 2019 National Championship over Clemson in the LSU Tigers home away from home, the Superdome in New Orleans. Orgeron was named National and SEC Coach of the Year in 2019 and posted a 51-20 record with LSU in six seasons.

KC Keeler, Sam Houston

Keeler is a two-time national championship-winning coach at both Delaware in 2003 and Sam Houston State in the 2020 COVID season, and has won numerous National Coach of the Year awards, including being named Maxwell Club Coach of the Year in 2003, 2007 and 2010. Currently, Keeler has an 88-36 record at Sam Houston and has won 262 games in his stellar coaching career.

Andy Ludwig, Utah

Ludwig has been coaching offenses for more than 30 years and has coached talented quarterbacks such as David Carr (at Fresno State) and currently Cam Rising with the Utes as the offensive coordinator.

Known as an innovator, Ludwig is adept at getting the most out of the players he has on the field and bringing out hidden talents that make them effective weapons on offense.

Tedford's Current Replacement

Until Fresno State names a full-time replacement for Tedford, Tim Skipper will serve as the interim coach for the 2024 season. Skipper has been the Bulldogs' linebackers coach and assistant coach under Tedford since 2022. He also previously served as the interim coach for Fresno State in last seasons' 37-10 New Mexico Bowl win against New Mexico State after Tedford temporarily stepped aside to address health concerns.