Fresno State Athletics
Players Mentioned
Entz retains two coaches from 2024
12/31/2024 9:00:00 AM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State football head coach Matt Entz announced on Tuesday that JD Williams and Aaron Prier will remain on staff to coach the cornerbacks and running backs, respectively. The pair join John Baxter as special teams coordinator who have been retained by Entz.Â
Williams, a Bulldog football alumni and first round NFL Draft pick, just completed his eighth season on staff in this current stint in 2024. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs in 1997, and later returned to coach the defensive backs briefly from 2000-01 before his return in 2017.
Since 2017, Fresno State has consistently had one of the top defenses in the Mountain West. Under William's coaching, the team's pass defense has shined. In 2021, Williams helped recruit and coach NFL Draft pick DaRon Bland for his one season as a Bulldog. In just three seasons in the League, Bland has already cemented himself as one of the top talents. In 2023, he set a new NFL record for most Pick-6's in a season with five. Bland totaled nine interceptions in 2023 to bring his professional career total to 14 – the most by any player in the NFL in that span. Bland was a 2023 Defensive Player of the Year finalist. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod with a starting spot and an All-Pro selection by both the AP and NFLPA.
More recently, Williams also helped recruit and coach Cam Lockridge who would become a 2024 first team All-MW selection. Lockridge ended his career with 14 interceptions, with 11 coming in his three seasons at Fresno State.Â
Prier has been on staff with the Bulldogs since 2023, having been hired by Jeff Tedford ahead of that season. Malik Sherrod was a large part of the Bulldogs' offense in 2023. Sherrod was an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection in his first season as the Bulldogs' starter. In addition to Sherrod, Prier had Elijah Gilliam ready for significant snaps totaling 95 carries for 397 yards that first season.
The 2024 season saw Sherrod out with injury for a majority of the year, but a fresh body entered the room in freshman and local talent Bryson Donelson. The true freshman finished the 2024 season second on the team with 77 carries for 462 yards and three touchdowns. He was the most productive freshman running back for Fresno State since the duo of Jordan Mims and Ronnie Rivers in 2017. Both Mims and Rivers are currently in the NFL.
Prior to his time at Fresno State, Prier spent two seasons at Eastern Washington and six at Idaho State.Â
With the announcement on Tuesday, Entz has named his offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, offensive line coach, running backs coach and cornerbacks coach.Â
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