Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford has announced he is stepping down from his position as coach of the Bulldogs.
"It is with a heavy heart that, today, I am announcing that I am stepping down as the head coach here at Fresno State," Tedford said in a press conference. "I have been coaching for 30 years and it has been awesome. I have been playing since I was 8 years old, so I have been in this business for about 50 years now. It is time now to focus on my health and my family"
News of Tedford's decision began circulating late Thursday, and according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, "health reasons" are the leading cause of Tedford's decision. The former Fresno State quarterback has coached his alma mater since 2017, compiling a 26-14 overall record. Tedford, 58, had a heart procedure in 2014 shortly after landing his first NFL coaching job as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His health did not allow him to return to coaching that season, and he was later released from his contract.
After graduating from Fresno State in 1982, Tedford had a six-year career as a quarterback in the Canadian Football League.
Tedford is best known for serving as head coach at California where he led the Golden Bears to an 82-57 record over 11 seasons from 2002-12. He left as one of the most successful coaches in program history.
Once he left the Bucs, he spent the 2015 season as head coach of the BC Lions before returning to college football as an offensive consultant at Washington in 2016, which preceded his hiring by Fresno State.
Tedford's return to Fresno State as its coach in 2017 was heralded, and he delivered immediately for the Bulldogs. After a 10-4 mark in his first season, Tedford led Fresno State to a 12-2 record and Mountain West title along with a No. 18 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll last season. It was the Bulldogs' first conference crown since 2013.
Fresno State struggled mightily this season, finishing 4-8 with losses in four straight games to end the season after a .500 start.
Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer is considered a "leading candidate" to replace Tedford, according to Feldman.