No one knows specifically why Andy Avalos was ultimately relieved of his duties, however there are some inferences that could be made. For example, last week was the first time since 1997 that Boise State had a losing record at that point in the season. Also, it’s worth noting that one high profile player had already entered the transfer portal, but there were rumors and substantive reasons to believe that more would join Eric McAlister there once it opened on 12/4. We can’t know exactly how related his decision was to coaching, but it’s certainly a data point that can’t be ignored.
A national coaching search is immediately underway. In the meantime, defensive coordinator, Spencer Danielson, will take the reigns as the interim head coach. Despite a regression in performance by his defense this year (with an abundance of young player, he was the most obvious choice, due to his leadership and loyalty from the players.
We will be hearing more from him at noon tomorrow, but in the meantime, this statement was released by Boise State Athletic Director, Jeramiah Dickey:
“I am grateful for the passion, effort and dedication Andy has given to our community and his alma mater while serving as our head coach,” Dickey said. “Andy will always be a Bronco and we wish him and his family all the best in their next steps.”
We also wish Coach Avalos nothing but the absolute best and hope to see him having success sooner rather than later.
If you have some thoughts, share them in the comments below!
In the meantime, always and forever…
Timing is certainly interesting. With Fresno and Air Force both losing last night, we have a genuine chance to play for the conference championship if we win the next two weeks. Wonder how this will affect our chances.
Wow! I’ve been as vocal as anyone about a coaching change, but I do find this timing extremely odd. Why not after the Fresno State debacle? Why now, when there is a legit chance of a conference title? If we win out, and beat Air Force, we would be having a rematch with Fresno State for the MWC Championship. It did seem like it was time for Avalos to go, but why now? I just think things are a little crazy and disunified in Broncoland. I feel bad for Andy, as I wanted him to do well – even though… Read more »
What are the chances that last night’s halftime turnaround by the defense was somehow related to Danielson taking the reins a bit ahead of the official announcement?
I’d guess about 0%.
This is a total shocker. Maybe pre bowl game if eligible, but now? Wow!
Timing is interesting. My guess is that they have their eyes on someone and would like to lock him up before the end of the season when there is more completion for quality coaches.
I do find it odd that Mike Staford was raising the “Chaos Flag” at the game as a guest. He is a former OC that knows his stuff and bleeds blue. He make his appearance on BNN once a week.
If you might be suggesting what I think you are suggesting–no way. Although, it is someone to at least consider.
We thought A.A. buyout was big TA&M letting Jimbo Fisher go for about 70 million.
76 million.
Insane. No one should be paid that kind of money for failing.
May be trying to keep others from leaving ..
Bingo, and who knows, MacAlister might return.
Scuttlebutt is his leaving was meant to send a message to Avalos that he was the first of many preparing to leave. Also being discussed is him asking to come back to finish the year. Danielson confirmed staff heard the same and, there will be a staff meeting about whether or not to allow him to return.
My personal feeling is if he left once, he’ll do it again. Talent or not, he left his teammates hanging.
Not only did he leave them hanging, but look how the other receivers performed without him there. Maybe he was part of the problem.
Maybe when he told the coach he was leaving then Avalos told him to leave immediately…..
That thought crossed my mind as well.
How do they keep getting burned in the secondary? Tube can’t tackle and will make one big hit. Can’t cover. Robin just too small. Green looked great and Holani wow he’s a stud.
I thought last night’s win was the path for Avalos to stay–that would be the excuse to keep him. Likely some players may have expressed the desire to go elsewhere if some changes didn’t occur.
Dan commented above the timing is interesting; strange is just a likely.
I wonder if all the injuries are really injuries? Or, “I got a bad back, I won’t be in today.” Then again that sounds too sophomoric. Time for supper, more later. But WOW–I’m hungry.
I’ve said this at least a dozen times; you can take that “brotherhood” crap and shove it. When a coach falls back on cliche after cliche, he’s not a coach. That said, it appears Andy fired Lou Major. That didn’t sit well. So Dickey does something sooner rather than later. He fires Andy and hires back Major. From all accounts, it was a good move. That may have been the Bronco’s only path to a winning season. What happens to the rest of the coaching staff after the season is over, who knows? However, those guys know they have a… Read more »
Jeez. Save some comments for others next time! Lol.
I with y’all. I was all about moving on from Avalos but the timing is odd. I think this speaks more to the likelihood that there is background turmoil that we aren’t wise too. I certainly hope that certain players are driving this. As the rest of the team showed last night, the next man up mentality is still alive and well.
On the BJ podcast, somebody texted they thought Dickey had a pair the size of Texas. I agree (not really knowing that for sure, Although I think that was meant metaphorically) However, it does look like there’s a new sharif in town. The Avalos hire was nearly handed to Dickey. Dickey had only been at BSU for a week before the Avalos hire. It looked solid and comfortable. In the past the Broncos have not had to really look deep for a coach; they seemed to have just taken a number and filled in when called. Since Koetter, they just… Read more »
So who’s it gonna be?!?! Place your pick and wager.
I got $10 on Harsin.
.99 cent on Peterson.
.50 cent say Dickey decides to just do it himself.
Jeff Choate will be a frontrunner. My wager? Nothing-I’m lousy at betting.
Jeff Choate and he brings Arch Manning with him? jk jk
I’ll take Lewis’ suggestion for $1,000, Alex!!
A lot of Choate love. FBS is tough to win in consistently.
My pick would be Jeff Choate or the Montana State HC. Kirby Moore is a long shot – he’s getting $850k at Mizzou, and he’s only in his second year as OC.
Why not both of you are building a team? Choate as HC, Moore as OC.
I like the idea of bringing in an experienced HC (Hawkins or Peterson) near the end of their career, and enticing someone like Moore to Assist with the goal of elevating them after a couple of seasons.
It’s PetersEn.
If he gets Peterson, I will drive to Boise, find that AD and give him an open mouthed kiss. And I say this as a solidly heterosexual man.
I’d like Kirby Moore hired as HC for some good reasons. He’s the son of a coach; those are often good hires. Kirby has lived in the shadow of Kellen. That is a tremendous incentive to succeed. Heading up a successful college program will give him an opportunity to show that Kellen isn’t the only football boy genius in the family. He has his finger on some West Coast recruits and now Midwest. I really hope it’s a guy who keeps the good parts of the Broncos’ coaching staff. I hate this business of cleaning house when it’s only the… Read more »
I’m my humble opinion Avalos should have been fired after the Memphis game. That loss was squarely on his shoulders.No way in hell Boise should have lost that game. Having said that let’s move forward. IMO. Utah State will be a harder game than AFA. AFA lost to 2-6 Army. Not a promotional bell ringer! If we see the Broncos dominate both games we’ll all know where the problem was? As long as the Broncos don’t play in the Potato Bowl I’ll be happy. As I have said before nothing is more degrading than playing a bowl game on your… Read more »
Air Force is so ridiculously consistent that it isn’t funny. They run that scheme to perfection. If your defense plays disciplined football you will win. Some teams have the ability to do that and make Air Force look mediocre. Some teams don’t and Air Force looks like an all world team against them. It’s shocking to me that BSU hasn’t figured this out. Some of the worst performing teams in our conference figure this out and beat them no problem. It’s like a math formula. Hit the parentheses, knock down exponents, solve for X and Bob’s your uncle. Can you… Read more »
In all fairness, Boise State has beaten Air Force 5 out the previous 6 years (lost in 2021). That’s fairly successful.
I’d rather not see BSU in the Potato Bowl, but at the same time I’d rather they go to the Potato Bowl over no bowl at all.
In the interest of pure football fun? What conference would you like to see the Broncos play against? C-USA, MAC or Sunbelt? IMO the Sunbelt is a stronger conference and I believe a team from the Sunbelt would up and motivated for a shot against BSU.
Honestly, I hated Dicky’s proposal for the promote and relegate (or whatever it’s called) scheme, but the more I thought about it, the more I like it. Would make every game interesting. And would combine enough conferences to get a solid grouping of really good teams every year.
I want that.
If Boise wins out, they can play for the conference title & a spot in the LA Bowl against probably USC or UCLA. Otherwise, I think the odds are decent that the Broncos could end up in the Hawaii Bowl & I’ll happily take that around Christmas. That would be a great way to close out a less than ideal season & partially help ensure minimal players sit out the bowl game. That or the Arizona Bowl in Tucson. Not terrible given how the year has gone. BTW, Brady Hoke (San Diego State) announced his retirement so the competition is… Read more »
If the Broncos turn in the direction you propose, they must go all in. I like your approach to coaches. The only thing that might concern me is the recruiting loop. Maybe we make too much of that. In the past, it seemed as if we tried to gather coaches from the region because of the relationships they have with regional talent. Nearly every recruit comes from so-called western states plus Texas. We do manage to pull a couple from Florida now and then. (The great Nick Patti) I would definitely want somebody with P5 or G5 experience. Tim Plough… Read more »