Tim DeRuyter Receives Contract Extension from Fresno State

Sep 20, 2013; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Tim DeRuyter points towards an official after a play against the Boise State Broncos in the fourth quarter at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Broncos 41-40. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Tim DeRuyter has received a 5-year contract from Fresno State, who tore up his previous contract with 3 years remaining. The new contract will keep him in Fresno until 2018, a smart move on behalf of the administration.

DeRuyter took over a Bulldog team that was beginning to stagnate under campus legend Pat Hill, and he led an immediate turnaround in fortunes. After finishing 4-8 the previous year under Hill, FSU finished 9-4 the following season, led by a hugely improved defense and the play of quarterback Derek Carr. In 2013, Fresno won the Mountain West and beat bugbear Boise State on the way to an 11-2 season.

An 0-2 bowl record is a disappointment, but DeRuyter’s hiring looks like a masterstroke. Prior to coaching the Bulldogs, the 51-year old has been a long-time defensive coordinator and secondary coach, most recently at Texas A&M.

If DeRuyter continues to have success at Fresno State, it will be only be a matter of time before a bigger program comes calling.