Grading Mountain West Football’s 2025 Coaching Hires
Mountain West Coaching carousel: Grading the New Hires
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The Mountain west Conference saw a flurry of coaching changes this offseason, with four schools seeking new leadership. UNLV, Utah State, Fresno State, and New Mexico all welcomed new head coaches, shaking up the conference landscape. Let’s take a look at each hire and grade their potential impact.
UNLV: A+
The Move: UNLV landed a major coup by hiring former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen (103-61 54-53 SEC in 13 seasons) to replace Barry Odom, who departed for Purdue.the Grade: A+
UNLV’s recent success under Odom, who led the Rebels to a 19-8 record and back-to-back bowl appearances, transformed the program’s perception.This newfound attractiveness allowed them to snag a coach with Mullen’s pedigree.
mullen boasts an impressive resume, averaging eight wins per year during his SEC tenure, including 11 straight bowl berths and four New Year’s Six bowl appearances. His experience, coupled with UNLV’s upward trajectory, makes this a home run hire.Mullen’s familiarity with the Mountain West from his time as Utah’s quarterbacks coach under Urban Meyer adds another layer of intrigue. He coached Alex Smith to a Heisman Trophy finalist finish in 2004, guiding the Utes to an undefeated season.
With the Pac-12/MW split looming in 2026, UNLV is poised for continued success under Mullen’s leadership.
Utah State: B+
The Move: Former BYU, Virginia, and New Mexico coach Bronco Mendenhall (140-88 in 18 seasons) returns to the Mountain West, taking the reins at Utah State after a single season at New Mexico.
The Grade: B+
Mendenhall’s move from New Mexico to utah State raises eyebrows. While his one-year stint in Albuquerque was triumphant (5-7, the Lobos’ best record since 2016), the fast turnaround feels opportunistic.
However, Mendenhall’s track record speaks for itself. He achieved remarkable success at BYU (99-43 in 11 seasons) and brings valuable experience to a program poised for a leap to the Pac-12 in 2025.
Utah State offers a more established platform for success than New Mexico, with a history of launching coaches to bigger programs. Mendenhall’s familiarity with the state and his proven ability to win make him a strong fit for the Aggies.
Fresno State: B
The Move: Fresno State hired USC associate head coach/linebackers coach and former North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz (60-11 32-7 Missouri Valley Football in five seasons) to replace interim head coach Tim Skipper.
The Grade: B
Entz’s journey from North Dakota State to USC and now fresno State reflects a calculated climb up the coaching ladder. His success at North Dakota State, where he won six FCS championships, speaks volumes about his coaching acumen.
Following the footsteps of fellow North Dakota state alumni Craig Bohl (Wyoming) and Chris Klieman (Kansas State), who found success in the FBS, Entz brings a winning pedigree to Fresno State.
While his experience at the FCS level is impressive, the transition to the FBS presents a new challenge. Though, Entz’s proven track record and ambition make him a promising hire for the Bulldogs.
Mountain West Coaching Carousel: grading the New Hires: An Expert Analysis
NewsDirectory3.com spoke with renowned college football analyst, Mark Jenkins, to dissect the Mountain WestS recent coaching hires and assess their potential impact.
NewsDirectory3.com: Let’s start with UNLV. They landed Dan Mullen, a coach with proven success at the SEC level.How do you grade this move?
Mark Jenkins: This is a phenomenal hire for UNLV, easily an A+. Mullen brings a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree that instantly elevates the Rebels’ program. They were already on an upward trajectory under Barry Odom,and now mullen can take them to the next level.
NewsDirectory3.com: Bronco Mendenhall’s move from new Mexico to Utah State certainly raised eyebrows. What’s your take on this hire?
Mark Jenkins: It’s a solid B+ for me. While the quick turnaround raises questions, Mendenhall’s track record speaks for itself. He’s a proven winner, and Utah State provides a more established platform for success than New Mexico. This move makes sense for both mendenhall and the Aggies.
NewsDirectory3.com: Fresno State went with Matt Entz, who has a remarkable winning record at the FCS level with North Dakota State. How do you see this panning out?
Mark Jenkins: I’d give this hire a B. Entz’s success at North dakota State is impressive, and he’s clearly a talented coach. However, the jump to the FBS is a important one. Entz has the potential to be a great hire for Fresno State, but it remains to be seen how he adapts to the higher level of competition.