Hill signs contract; He's a 'Dog until 2010
Justin Kase Conder / AMR
By the end of the 2010 season, Fresno State coach Pat Hill expects to be a major contender nationally. |
By Darrell Copleland
The Collegian
Just as the National Football League window closes, Fresno State’s own window opens.
With no offers made to Bulldogs coach Pat Hill by any NFL team, Hill instead worked with athletic director Thomas Boeh on his current contract, which had a preexisting rollover clause. Using that clause, Hill’s contract has been extended to go through the 2010 season.
A constant theme of Hill’s press conference, held on Wednesday morning, was the fact that the NFL executives thought very highly of Fresno State and its program, supporting Hills belief that Fresno State is ready to become a national power.
“The thing that gave me a great feeling and a great resolve that we could do it here is in my interviews with the different teams it was very obvious that there was a lot of respect throughout the NFL for the players that come out of this program and the system that we run in this program,” Hill said.
As for building the football program to even higher levels; Hill has no doubt.
“I’m very excited about moving forward here at Fresno State again for another five years and trying to build this program to another level that I believe it can get to,” Hill said.
When asked what specific goals he would like to achieve, Hill was quick to throw out a list, some of which can be considered lofty expectations, but not to Hill.
“I’d like to see the Green V Association take off,” Hill said. “I’d like to see the expansion of the stadium, I’d like to see the stadium sold out; I’d like to see our football program win at a level everybody expects and that’s to be a top 10 caliber-like program.”
Much was made of the 10-day window that Hill gave to all NFL teams interested in hiring him, which is considered to have severely diminished his chances at landing one of the positions.
“I know I hurt my chances, but that’s the way it is,” Hill said. “The reason I set up the parameters of my availability was based solely on this program being successful.”
What hurt Hill benefited the Bulldogs, as throughout the entire process, Hill made it known that Fresno State came first, and that nothing would keep him from his commitment to his team.
To find a college football head coach at one school for nine years can be considered nothing short of remarkable. Not only has Hill done that, but he owns the 16th best winning percentage (.626) among active coaches in Division I-A football.
“Nine years of my life I’ve put into this job and I take pride in what we’ve done here,” Hill said.
And according to Hill, the success of Fresno State’s program has really caught the eyes of NFL executives.
Many players and coaches who have graduated from Fresno State are now in the NFL, which is a likely supporting factor to the Bulldog program’s credibility.
“In my interviews with the different teams it was very obvious to me that there was a lot of respect throughout the NFL for the players that come out of this program and the system that we run in this program,” Hill said. “They understand college football and they understand where this program is.”
One thing is for sure. With the mentality he is taking under this new extension, Hill has his recruits and program set up for success—with a ton of room to grow.
“I’ve got a very good job here and recruiting is important to me and the growth of this program is very important to me,” Hill said.
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