Fresno State HC Tim DeRuyter fired following 1-7 start

Fresno State fired head coach Tim DeRuyter Sunday, athletic director Jim Bartko announced in a press conference streamed on the schools athletics website. The Bulldogs are coming off a 38-20 loss to Utah State on Saturday, their sixth straight defeat.

Hired in 2012, DeRuyter led Fresno State to a 20-6 record and two conference championships in his first two seasons, with future second-round NFL draft picks Derek Carr and Davante Adams on the squad.

However, since both players left following the 2013 season, DeRuyter's teams have gone a combined 10-24. The Bulldogs will miss their second consecutive bowl game this year.

"You want a winner, and we had a winner in Coach DeRuyter, but we needed to go in a different direction," Bartko said. "We just felt like it was time and waiting another two weeks doesn't do anyone any good."

Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau was named interim head coach.