The announcement that North Dakota State University (NDSU) will transition its football program to the Mountain West Conference has drawn enthusiastic support from former head coach Matt Entz, who has long advocated for the move. “I’m excited. It’s about damn time,” Entz remarked during a phone call on February 16. He noted that this shift should have occurred years earlier.
Entz, who now serves as the head coach at Fresno State, led NDSU from 2019 to 2023 after a tenure as an assistant coach at USC and NDSU. His advocacy for the Bison’s jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) has been a significant part of his legacy at the university.
Entz’s Vision for NDSU Football
In a conversation with a local journalist in November 2020, Entz expressed his frustrations regarding the limitations facing NDSU’s football program. The team had been sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with only one game played that season. He described the situation as a “mess,” especially as key players, including quarterback Trey Lance and left tackle Dillon Radunz, began preparing for their entry into the NFL Draft.
During that discussion, he made a bold proclamation: “We have to go FBS.” This marked the beginning of a journey that ultimately led to the recent announcement of NDSU’s move to the Mountain West.
Entz’s call to action stemmed from concerns that the program was “running on a treadmill,” with the entire organization working hard just to maintain its status. He faced challenges in scheduling non-conference games, which compounded his frustrations. “We were kind of the last holdout,” he recalled. “We wanted to play that fall for a variety of reasons, and we couldn’t find anybody other than Central Arkansas.” This sentiment of being sidelined spurred him to advocate for a higher level of competition.
A Collective Effort for Transformation
Entz credits former NDSU president David Cook, athletic director Matt Larsen, and other stakeholders for their roles in facilitating this transition. The decision to move to the FBS has been described as a collective achievement, with Entz being a key figure in the early discussions. He noted that while he was a strong proponent, he never felt he was acting against the interests of the administration.
In December 2020, Entz’s perspective began to gain traction, culminating in a column titled, “Time for Bison football to plan for moonshot to FBS,” in which he outlined the strategic steps needed for the transition. Subsequently, NDSU conducted feasibility studies regarding its potential inclusion in both the Mountain West and the American Athletic conferences.
In interviews, Entz highlighted the growing disparity between NDSU and higher-tier programs, noting that it became increasingly challenging to retain top talent as players sought opportunities in the more prestigious Power Five and Group of Five conferences. “Some of the guys went to the highest level, but there were some others who went places that you asked, ‘Is that really better than here?’” he remarked.
As the Bison prepare for their new chapter in the Mountain West, Entz expressed optimism about the future of NDSU athletics. Although he would have welcomed the opportunity to lead the program into this new era, he remains confident in the capabilities of his successor, Tim Polasek, to guide the team effectively. “I am excited for the university to see where this goes,” he added.
Overall, the move to the Mountain West marks a significant milestone for NDSU, reflecting years of advocacy and strategic planning. As the Bison look forward to competing at a higher level, the groundwork laid by Entz and others will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the program.
