Fresno State Head coach Jeff Tedford announced he is stepping down from his role due to health concerns.
“It is with sadness that after my recent medical exam, it is clear that due to health concerns, my family and I have made the decision to step down as head coach at Fresno State and allow someone else to lead the football program. ” Tedford said in a statement on Monday.
The 62-year-old coach’s announcement comes less than two months before the start of the 2024 college football season. Tedford was at Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas last week.
Tedford was in his second stint as head coach of the Bulldogs and dealt with health issues throughout his five seasons in Fresno. He was the head coach from 2017-19, which included a 12-win season in 2018 and a Mountain West Conference title. However, he resigned after the 2019 season due to health reasons.
Kalen DeBoer would coach the Bulldogs for two seasons, and when he left for the head coaching job at Washington at the end of the 2021 season, Fresno State brought back Tedford. Over the past two seasons, Tedford has a 19-8 record and won the Mountain West title in 2022. The Bulldogs have an 8-4 record in the 2023 regular season and were selected to play in the New Mexico Bowl, but Tedford did not coached the game for health reasons.
“I have great pride and passion for Fresno State and understand the time and energy it takes to lead at a high level,” Tedford said. “The Bulldog players, coaches and fans deserve the best. Unfortunately, I am unable to maintain the commitment necessary to perform at the level needed to guide the program.”
Tedford had a combined record of 45-22 in his five seasons coaching at his alma mater. He is also the most successful coach of the California Golden Bears, with 82 wins.
Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Tim Skipper has been named interim head coach at Fresno State for the 2024 season. Skipper served as head coach while Tedford was away for last season’s New Mexico Bowl. Fresno State opens 2024 season on Aug. 31 against the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines.
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Jeff Tedford steps down as Fresno State football coach due to health issues
