After 15 seasons roaming the sidelines of Bulldog Stadium, the stained-hat-wearing head coach Pat Hill has been fired by Fresno State after a disappointing 4-9 season ended with a loss to San Diego State. Hill often embodied the city’s personality with his “Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere” mantra.
Hill took the ‘Dogs to 11 bowl games in his career, amassing a record of 112-80. In 2001, he led Fresno State to a No. 8 ranking as the Bulldogs nearly became the first non-Bowl Championship Series team to reach a BCS bowl game. Hill won one Western Athletic Conference championship game during his tenure.
Here are some reactions to Hill’s firing.
@cellyslanga: Pat Hill is trending on twitter?!
Fresno State President John Welty: This was a difficult process, but I fully support the decision… We thank Pat Hill for his service and advancement of the prgram as head coach at Fresno State and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh: The last six to seven years we’ve had in regular and postseason play has resulted in the financial situation that we’re in. The community has not responded to the record we’ve had the last six or seven years.
@PatHillGoDogs: Anyone know of any job openings?
Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr: I came here for Coach Hill and it was pretty emotional. We’ve got to take it and move on. I called the team up, and told them I’m a Bulldog. That’s a commitment… I’m not going anywhere.
ASI President Selena Farnesi (Facebook comment): “Anyone, anywhere, anytime!” Pat Hill will always be Fresno State in my book ”” I’m happy to have shared my last game with him and excited to see what the future holds. Go dogs! This girl’s a Fresno State fan for life.
Associated Press: Hill built a reputation at Fresno State as a giant killer with the mantra of playing anybody, anywhere, anytime. But in recent years, the Bulldogs struggled both in conference play and in meetings against major teams and fans stopped packing Bulldog Stadium.
@sal_es_mal: It’s a Christmas miracle!
@SPORTSbyBROOKS: Pat Hill makes me proud to be in the business. Will never get enough credit for taking Fresno from novelty act to being feared by CFB powers.
@jboren4507 (Fresno Bee editorial page editor Jim Boren): One thing that will stay with me about Pat Hill is he always talked about importance of his players getting degrees.
@StacheOfKhan: Sad to hear about Pat Hill getting fired by #FresnoSt after 15 yrs. Dude had a sweet mustache.
Ben Kercheval, NBCSports.com: Although he only won a single WAC title with FSU in 1999, Hill was a model of consistency throughout his career with the Bulldogs, averaging eight wins per year from 2007-10.
@vhernandezcnn: Wish Pat Hill all the best. He brought class and respect to the Fresno State football program. Thanks for a great 15 years. #onwardbulldogs.
@itsjfry: since pat hill is the highest paid employee and hes gone now..does that mean that tuition will finally go down? #toosoon?
@theycallme6 (Fresno State wide reciever Jalen Saunders): I’M PROUD TO SAY I PLAYED FOR PAT HILL!!
@TheMarshall31 (former Bulldog Richard Marshall): Idk I had some great years playing under coach hill.
@VernonFox3 (former Bulldog Vernon Fox): Thank u Pat Hill for the opportunity u gave me outta high school. You helped put Fresno State on the map. God bless you… #Dogs4Life.
Former Bulldog Tom Brandstater (Facebook comment): Say what you may about Coach Pat Hill, but he turned boys into men and all of his players are thankful for that.
@JamesSanders36 (former Bulldog James Sanders): Shout out to coach Hill and all the years he put in at Fresno State. And thank you for giving me the oppurtinity to suit up for the Dogs.
@BulldogBounce: Hope Fresno St has plans to honor Pat Hill. How about naming Bulldog Stadium’s ramp “Pat Hill”?
Fresno State wide receiver Taylor Stewart (Facebook comment): Just lost the best thing that happened to Fresno state. Great job administration.
@ESPNDari: Pat Hill getting fired by the program he put on the map also feels wrong.
Bryan Fischer, CBSSports.com: The highlight of his tenure might have been a narrow 50-42 loss to top-ranked USC in 2005. Hill couldn’t maintain momentum however and went just 40-41 since the game.”
@Carr4Heisman: Pat Hill is officially gone, but it shouldn’t have an effect on 2012 Heisman hopeful Derek Carr. #gobulldogs.
@LisaHorne: Neuheisel’s ears just perked up.
Manny Moon (Facebook comment): Finally, just 10 years too late.
V.E. Kral • Dec 5, 2011 at 8:16 am
Students pick your careers wisely. I worked thirty years to make a million dollars. At a loosing football program, if you are the coach you can make a million for doing nothing, for the next two year buyout and having six years of pox for a record. Do what’s right. Money doesn’t necessary follow. The Administration did what they had to do, only six years too late. Never believe money and fairness go hand in hand.