Fresno State Athletics
Grady, McElwain Named Assistant Football Coaches
3/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 2, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Jeff Grady, a former Bulldog quarterback who spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant coach on the Fresno State coaching staff, and Jim McElwain, who spent the 2006 season as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders, have been selected as assistant football coaches by head coach Pat Hill.
"Jeff is an impressive coach who has done a great job for us as a player and a coach" said Hill. "Jeff has a great knowledge of our offense, is very smart, and an outstanding communicator. Jeff Grady, in my eyes, is a bright up-and-coming coach. We are pleased to have him as a member of our staff. He will work with our tight ends giving him a great opportunity to learn the front end of the offensive team."
Grady worked with the quarterbacks the last two seasons. He was instrumental in the development of quarterback Paul Pinegar. Pinegar threw for more than 10,000 yards and set a Bulldog record with 84 career touchdown passes. In 2005, Pinegar completed 64% of his passes for 3,335 yards and 30 touchdowns while being selected first-team All-WAC. That season, the Bulldogs were one of the nation's best offensive teams, ranking in the top five in country in scoring and third down conversion percentage.
Grady played quarterback for the Bulldogs and earned four varsity letters from 1999-2003. Was a back-up for two record-setting quarterbacks, Billy Volek and David Carr. He entered the 2002 season as the starting quarterback but injuries hampered his final two seasons. His biggest moment came in the 2003 season when he threw for 276 yard and a touchdown in leading the Bulldogs to a 16-14 home victory win over Oregon State.
"It's a great honor to be a part of this program," said Grady. "I'm happy that Coach Hill has the confidence to hire me. I look forward to the challenge. It's going to be a lot of fun. On the offensive side of the ball, we have a lot of young talent and I'm looking forward to working with the guys. It will be an exciting time for Bulldog football."
Grady graduated from Fresno State in 2003 with a degree in economics and is completing his Master's degree in sports psychology. He is married to the former Breanne Kaa.
Although coming from the NFL, where he coached the quarterbacks for the Oakland Raiders in 2006, McElwain has been a highly successful college assistant coach, most recently serving as Assistant Head Coach, Receivers coach and special teams coach at Michigan State from 2003-05. The Spartans played in the 2003 Alamo Bowl. In 2003, the Spartan receiving corps set school records for receptions (312), yards (3,510) and touchdowns (21). He also coach 2004 All-America punter Brandon Fields, who led the NCAA in punting average (47.9) yards and Big Ten Conference scoring leader, kicker Dave Rayner.
McElwain will coach the quarterbacks and serve as offensive coordinator.
"Jim is a very good football coach and been associated with some successful offensive football teams," said Hill. "We're getting a coach who has worked in a variety of areas on the offensive side of the ball. I've been impressed with the way he has developed young players and made them very productive. He's coached all phases of offense and had success as a coordinator. I feel very comfortable with Jim and so did our staff. He brings a great deal of experience from different programs and had one year of NFL experience, which I believe is very important. He inherits a young offensive football team and that will be an exciting challenge."
Prior to his stint at Michigan State, he spent three seasons at Louisville as receivers coach and specials teams coach, helping the Cardinals to three consecutive bowl games appearances (2000 Liberty Bowl, 2001 Liberty Bowl, 2002 GMAC Bowl).
From 1995-99 he was the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and receivers coach at Montana State, where he coached a record-setting quarterback, Rob Compson, and the school's career receiving leader, Chip Hobbs. His offenses set Bobcat records for pass completions and were among the most productive in school history.
He served at his alma mater, Eastern Washington, from 1985-94 in a variety of capacities, starting as a graduate assistant and working his way up to quarterbacks and receivers coach. He helped the Eagles to two NCAA I-AA playoff appearances (1992 and 1995) and coaches several players who set school offensive records.
McElwain played quarterback at Eastern Washington (1980-83) and earned a degree in Education in 1984. He and wife, Karen, have three children, JoHanna, Elizabeth and Jerrett.
"This is a great opportunity for me to work for a program and a head coach in Pat Hill who has great respect nationally," said McElwain. "There's a great staff in place and I'm excited to be a part of this program. I have been so impressed with what the Fresno State program has accomplished in recent years."
