The longest tenured assistant coach on the previous Boise State coaching staff will carry that title over to the new one.
Assistant coach Kent Riddle will return to Boise State for an eighth consecutive season and his thirteenth overall with the Broncos, sources have confirmed to KTVB. He will once against serve as the tight end coach.
Boise State later confirmed the news.
“Kent Riddle has been around this program as long as anyone, and knows exactly what this culture is and what it means to those that have come through here,” Avalos said. “He has always been guided by a people-first mentality, and is a mentor not just for our student-athletes, but our coaches as well. He’s an amazing coach and an even better person, and I am thrilled to have him continue his career here with the Broncos.
“I am honored for the opportunity to work with Andy Avalos and continue to be part of the Bronco Family,” Riddle said. “This is home to our family and we Bleed Blue! I know Andy will continue the tradition and enhance the success Bronco Football has enjoyed, since he helped build the foundation as a student-athlete. I know Coach Avalos is a man of integrity and high character that thrives on connecting and building relationships to get the best out of everyone around him."
Following six seasons at Army (1995-2000), Riddle first arrived at Boise State in 2001. He then left for Colorado in 2006, when Dan Hawkins took over at the Buffaloes head coach. Riddle coached tight ends and special teams during his five-year run in Boulder.
In 2011, Riddle joined the coaching staff at North Texas. He was then hired away by Bryan Harsin when he accepted the head coach position at Arkansas State. Those two would spend the next eight seasons coaching side-by-side.
When Riddle returned to Boise State in 2014, he oversaw the running back position. That fall Jay Ajayi turned in one of the most unique seasons in college football history. He led the Broncos to a Fiesta Bowl win and became the first player in FBS history with at least 1,800-yards rushing and 500-yards receiving in a single season.
In 2015, Riddle transitioned to tight ends coach. Over the next six seasons, he coached Jake Roh and John Bates, two All-Mountain West tight ends, as well as Chase Blakley, Alec Dhaenens, Garrett Collingham and Matt Pistone, all key contributors to the Boise State offense.
Riddle also helped junior-to-be Riley Smith transition from quarterback to tight end this past season. Smith started five of seven games and ended up third on the team in both receptions (15) and receiving yards (155).
The 50-year-old former Oregon State quarterback is the oldest member of the new Boise State coaching staff. With over 25 years of coaching in the collegiate ranks, the native of Iowa City, IA, is also the most experience Broncos coach.
Riddle's son, Connor, is a wide receiver at Boise State. The redshirt junior-to-be appeared in 19 of 21 games over the last two seasons. Although he has seen limited time on offense throughout his career, he is a mainstay on special teams as the starting holder for the field goal unit.
