Fresno State Coach Entz Announces Coaching Staff Changes for 2026

Fresno State head coach Matt Entz announced a series of coaching and personnel moves that reshape the Bulldogs’ offensive staff and centralize recruiting operations for the 2026 season. The changes focus on offensive-line continuity, quarterback support, and a clearer chain of command for recruiting and player personnel.

With the Bulldogs’ offensive line coach departing following the 2025 season, Brian Ferentz will move from tight ends coach to coach the offensive line in 2026. Ferentz was an offensive lineman himself and the release notes he has five years of prior experience coaching the offensive line. Bijan Hosseini, who served as assistant offensive line coach in 2025, will take over as tight ends coach; his first coaching position was at a community college, where he worked with that position group. Jared Taylor, an offensive analyst in 2025, will shift to an on-field role as an offensive assistant working with the quarterbacks.

On the personnel side, Jake Rasmussen will oversee recruiting and player personnel as Executive Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting, a role described as encompassing all recruiting and player personnel areas. Kody Hensley continues on staff as Director of Player Personnel and High School Recruiting, while Jaden Diamond remains as Director of Player Personnel and College Scouting. Eli Hernandez has been hired as Assistant Director of Player Personnel, rounding out a department designed to coordinate scouting and pipeline development across high school and college levels.

The department-level moves clarify who in Fresno State’s program will be responsible for maintaining recruiting relationships in the Central Valley and beyond. Consolidating oversight under Rasmussen and keeping Hensley focused on high school recruiting and Diamond on college scouting signals an attempt to stabilize talent evaluation and pipeline work heading into the next signing cycle.

The athletic department’s announcement also referenced defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto in an incomplete sentence; the text did not specify any new title or duties for Benedetto. The name of the offensive line coach who departed was not provided in the announcement.

Local impact centers on recruiting and roster development. Changes to the offensive-line staff affect the Bulldogs’ ability to develop linemen from Fresno County high schools and community colleges, which in turn influences playing time, scholarship distribution, and local scouting attention. The reassignment of an analyst to an on-field quarterbacks role may accelerate quarterback development in spring practices and fall camp, potentially shaping game-day performance and fan expectations.

Entz’s reorganization takes effect for the 2026 season and will be monitored by fans, local high school coaches, and season-ticket holders as spring practice approaches and recruiting calendars advance. The program says more details on staff bios and duties are available through Fresno State Athletics; further clarification is expected regarding the incomplete reference to Nick Benedetto and the identity of the departed offensive line coach.