USC linebackers coach Matt Entz is taking over as head coach at Fresno State

When Matt Entz took the job as USC’s linebackers coach last January, leaving a head coaching job at North Dakota State, he made his intentions transparent. Two Football Championship Subdivision titles and Coach of the Year honors weren’t enough to attract the attention of major programs. He hoped the assistant job at USC could be a stepping stone to other head coaching opportunities.

“Some people have told me that I don’t have FBS recruiting experience and that I haven’t really looked into NIL yet. “Those were, if you will, signs against me,” said Entz. “Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities.”

It turns out it took a season of work with a retooled Trojans defense to make this happen. Entz is leaving USC to coach at Fresno State, a person familiar with the decision who is not authorized to speak publicly told The Times. According to ESPN, the contract runs for five years.

His departure is a major blow to a USC linebacking corps that has improved by leaps and bounds under Entz’s guidance. His impact on 6-foot-1 Eric Gentry was particularly notable as Gentry was in the midst of a breakout season before a series of concussions forced him to redshirt.

USC defensive coach Shaun Nua, defensive line coach Eric Henderson, linebackers coach Matt Entz, secondary coach Doug Belk and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn watch from the sidelines during the spring game April 20 in Los Angeles.

(Kevin Terrell/AP)

“That’s my guy,” Gentry said in the spring, before leading USC in tackles for loss in just seven games this season. “Coach Entz is great.”

When the news became official Wednesday, the junior linebacker tweeted that he “can’t even lie, I’m hurt.”

“You don’t even understand that the man changed my entire perspective on this…” Gentry wrote. “A year ago I really believed that football wasn’t going to work out… this man came with the whole squad and changed my perspective.”

Entz’s departure to Fresno State, which will join the Pac-12 in 2026, also created some excitement early in the early signing period, as several linebackers were expected to be added to the Trojans’ 2026 class.

San Clemente four-star linebacker Matai Tagoa’i signed with USC on Wednesday morning. But two other top linebacker prospects turned elsewhere in light of the Trojans’ loss of Entz.

San Juan Capistrano linebacker Madden Faraimo, the highest-rated remaining prospect in the state, was expected to sign with USC but chose Notre Dame. Four-star Georgia linebacker Jadon Perlotte was also expected to spurn the Trojans despite his previous commitment to Entz and USC.

Entz is no stranger to leading a staff. The Iowa native had 60-11 head coaching seasons before coming to USC and has served as either head coach or defensive coordinator in each of the previous 12 seasons.