Fresno State Promotes Grubb to OC, Hires Three New Assistants

February 18, 2019

Courtesy Barkboard, 247sports.com

The Fresno State Bulldogs' successful 2018 campaign led to two assistant coaches being hired away to Power 5 schools. Now the Bulldogs have officially made one promotion and hired three new assistants to the staff.

Replacing Offensive Coordinator Kalen DeBoer, who was hired to Indiana, is Ryan Grubb '99. Grubb served as the Bulldogs' offensive line coach for the past two seasons. He worked alongside DeBoer at previous stops including Eastern Michigan and University of Sioux Falls. Grubb also adds the title of Associate Head Coach under Tedford. 

Aside from serving as the offensive coordinator, DeBoer was also Fresno State's quarterbacks coach. The Bulldogs have hired Danny Langsdorf to the position. Langsdorf has previous experience as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos (1999-2001), as well as at the college level for the Oregon State Beavers (2005-13) and Nebraska Cornhuskers (2015-2017). He also spent four years as an assistant in the NFL. His most recent stop was with the Oregon Ducks as an analyst.

In a press release, Tedford said of Langsdorf, "Really excited to have Danny. I've known Danny for a long time. We competed against one another when he was at Oregon State and I was always impressed with what he did as their offensive coordinator. He brings valuable experience to the quarterback position as well as offensive schematics."

With Grubb taking on the responsibilities of offensive coordinator, the Fresno State Bulldogs have hired a full-time assistant coach to step in under Grubb. Former Idaho State offensive line coach Roman Sapolu was hired to the position. Sapolu played for Langsdorf at Oregon State and was a graduate assistant under Langsdorf at Nebraska.  He is also the son of former San Francisco 49er Jesse Sapolu (1983-1997).

Explained in a press release by Fresno State, "Grubb will continue to have a direct influence on the offensive line group, but with the added responsibility of offensive coordinator and associate head coach, Sapolu will be a key assistant to that group."

Tedford added, "Really excited to have Roman. He is a great energetic young coach that is an excellent recruiter."

And a familiar face will also rejoin Fresno State's staff - replacing former defensive line coach Jamar Cain who was hired by Arizona State. Fresno State has hired Will Plemons to the position. Plemons was an assistant under Pat Hill from 2008-2011, coaching the defensive line for his last three seasons with the 'Dogs. Since then, Plemons spent four years as an assistant in the Canadian Football League and the last three as defensive line coach at Sacramento State. 

He was also a graduate assistant at Fresno State from 2004 to 2005.

Tedford said, "Under Pat Hill, Plemons coached Bulldog defensive line standouts Chris Carter and Logan Harrell. In 2010, the Bulldogs ranked ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 2.85 sacks per game in a season Carter logged 11.0 sacks and was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. As a graduate assistant, Plemons worked with 2005 WAC Defensive Player of the Year Garrett McIntyre in a season Fresno State led the WAC in total defense."

Fresno State reportedly gets the 2019 campaign underway on with spring practices starting on March 11.