Fresno State Athletics
Settle Leaves Bulldog Coaching Staff
2/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 16, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - John Settle, who has coached six of Fresno State's 13 1,000-yard rushers, has been hired as an assistant football coach at Wisconsin, head coach Pat Hill announced today. The 40-year-old Settle will coach the Wisconsin running backs.
"John will be missed," head coach Pat Hill said. "He did a great job for us and is moving on to improve his career. I want to thank John and his family for their commitment to our program. Eight years is a long time to be an assistant at any school. We've lost a lot of good coaches over the years, but I'm confident that we will be able to attract a high-caliber coach to work with our running backs."
Settle served eight seasons as running backs coach, where he tutored some of the best backs in Bulldog history, including of six 1,000-yard rushers.
In 2005, Settle mentored All-WAC player Wendell Mathis, who rushed for 1,313 yards and 15 touchdowns along with making 19 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown. Bryson Sumlin earned second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors when he ran for 1,102 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004. He was joined that season by Mathis, who rushed for 995 yards and 12 scores, making Fresno State one of only two schools in the nation with two running backs ranked among the national top 50.
In 2003 Dwayne Wright became the third Bulldog in three seasons to surpass the 1,000-yard mark when he gained 1,038 yards. Rodney Davis set the school rushing record with a 1,586-yard campaign in 2002. Paris Gaines carried for 1,044 yards in 2001. Settle also developed Derrick Ward, the 1999 team rushing leader, freshman All-American and current New York Giant. In addition, Settle coached 1998 WAC Pacific Division Offensive Player of the Year and 1,000-yard rusher Jamie Kimbrough.
Hill hopes to have a replacement in place by the start of spring practice, March 13.
