Boise State’s longest-tenured football coach steps down; tennis coach also resigns

Boise State’s most experienced assistant football coach is stepping down, the university announced Monday afternoon.

Tight ends coach Kent Riddle — who has been an assistant coach at Boise State for 13 years — is leaving to spend more time with his family before pursuing other opportunities, according to the university.

“Boise State is a special place to me, and it always will be,” Riddle said in a statement. “I would like to thank the people at Boise State — the community, staff, administrators and, most importantly, the coaches and players — that I’ve had the honor to work with over the years.”

“After over 30 years in college football, it is time to step back and see what other opportunities the future holds for my family and I,” he continued. “We are grateful for all the friendships we have made and the relationships we‘ve built throughout the Boise State community. They will be with us forever and I will always be a Bronco. Bleed Blue!”

Riddle has served two stints on the Broncos’ staff, and he coached special teams, tight ends and running backs. He joined the program in 2001 under Dan Hawkins and stayed until 2005. His second stint began in 2014 under Bryan Harsin, and last season marked his seventh as the Broncos’ tight ends coach.

“Coach Riddle has mentored several generations of Broncos, making a positive impact on the lives of so many that have come through this program,” Boise State football coach Andy Avalos said in a statement. “I am appreciative of everything he has given to this program, as are so many others. I wish him the best of luck in the next phase of his life.”

Riddle made $225,000 at Boise State last year. His salary was tied with offensive line coach Tim Keane and former special teams coordinator/edge coach Stacey Collins as the fourth-highest on the staff.

Between stints at Boise State, Riddle coached tight ends and special teams at Colorado (2006-10), North Texas (2011-12) and Arkansas State (2013). He worked for Hawkins at Colorado and Harsin at Arkansas State.

He is the fourth coach to leave the Broncos’ staff since last season ended. Running backs coach Winston Venable stepped down in December and was replaced by former Boise State and Washington assistant Keith Bhonapha.

Bhonapha also added special teams coordinator to his resume after Stacey Collins — who also coached edge pass rushers — left to take a job at Penn State earlier this month. He was replaced by former BYU and Virginia assistant Kelly Poppinga.

Cornerbacks coach Jeron Johnson also unexpectedly stepped down this month. He was replaced by former Southern Utah head coach Demario Warren.

Boise State defensive lineman plans to return; Broncos hire director of recruiting

Women’s tennis coach to lead men’s team

Boise State men’s tennis coach Kristian Widen has resigned, the university announced Monday afternoon.

A national search for his replacement is underway, according to a statement from the university. In the meantime, women’s tennis coach Beck Roghaar will take over the men’s program, and his top assistant, Maria Lopez, will lead the women.

Widen — a 1996 Boise State graduate, who was a four-year letter winner and a three-year team captain for the Broncos — was named men’s tennis head coach in 2018 after serving as the women’s tennis assistant coach since 2015.

The men’s tennis team is 1-2 during the spring season, which began Friday.

“Kristian made many contributions as a Bronco through the years, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey said in a statement. “I am confident we will have a strong pool of candidates to lead our program forward.”