The Final March: Entz Speaks to Media About Leaving the Program After NDSU’s Playoff Run
MATT ENTZ IS HEADED TO USC BUT FIRST THE BISON HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)–News broke Sunday that NDSU football head coach Matt Entz will finish out the FCS playoffs and move on to a linebackers coaching position at USC. Entz was NDSU’s head coach for five seasons from 2019 through 2023 and won two FCS national championships during that span.
Entz shared his thoughts on the move at his weekly press conference.
“Coach Riley [was] reaching out, trying to identify who would be a good fit, and my name popped up a couple of times,” said Entz. “That’s kind of how it went down. I wouldn’t leave NDSU for just anything. I’ve had other opportunities along the way and they just didn’t, maybe, spark my interest or the timing wasn’t right. [This is] just an opportunity for me to continue to grow and develop. Yesterday’s conversation with the team and with the leadership group was difficult. You put everything you have into them for 365 days a year and you want to see him have success. You want to see them do great things on and off the field. This place has been unbelievable to team Entz. This will always be a home away from home.”
Entz and the Bison players will have to remain focused on the task at hand. NDSU travels to Missoula, Montana this Saturday to take on the 2-seeded Grizzlies in the FCS Semifinals. Montana owns the 4th-best defense in the FCS allowing under 16-points per game.
Entz said that even with all the news this week, it is business as usual as they attempt to get back to Frisco, TX for the national championship.
“The reactions were yesterday,” said Entz. “[I] got a bunch of hugs and pats on the back, but today it looks like status quo. I think anytime you go on the road, you’re away from home and you’re sleeping in a hotel. There’s all these excuses that you can come up with. I think that’s one of the things we’ll identify and probably talk quickly about today is that are no excuses anymore. Best teams find ways to win, and that’s what we need to do. We need to put together great plans both offensively [and] defensively. We’re gonna have to put a plan together on special teams. [At] the end of the day, we got to have a great week for us to have any success on Saturday. We have to have a great Monday through Friday.”
The Bison and Grizzlies will kick off Saturday at 3:30 P.M. At Washington-Grizzly stadium in Missoula, Montana.
