FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno State announced they’ve fired football coach Tim DeRuyter, in a press conference held by Athletic Director Jim Bartko and University President Joseph Castro on Sunday.
After a 1-7 start to the season (no Mountain West or FBS wins and eliminated from bowl contention) and lower ticket sales, Fresno State said they had enough.
“The last two seasons aren’t what our fans and our university expects,” said Bartko. “But that doesn’t diminish Tim and his coaching ability. But we just felt it was the right time. The right time for us to be in the process of a search. Also begin the process for letting the coach and players have some direction. And also relieve Tim and let him know what’s going on so he has some opportunities.”
Over 60 career games for the ‘Dogs, DeRuyter went 30-30 (and 4-16 in the last season and a half).
Offensive Coordinator Eric Kiesau will take over in the interim. Fresno State has four games remaining on the 2016 schedule.
Fresno State says the search for a new coach begins immediately – and as of Sunday they had yet to have discussions with any potential candidate.
The school also says they’ll pay DeRuyter for the two seasons remaining on his contract.
(Photo: Former Fresno State football coach Tim DeRuyter)
