While I don't necessarily want Pat Hill "run out of town on a rail," I do, nevertheless, feel that his nine year run at the helm has about run its course. Fresno State has not had nearly enough WAC titles nor Top 25 season-ending finishes for a team that consistently has the most talent in the conference. The annual "swoons" that have come to characterize Pat Hill coached teams have become unacceptable.

I believe an article the provides the cold hard facts to back up my assertion is long overdue. Pat Hill has done some wonderful things for the program, but it is time for a new beginning with another head coach. At some point, it's not enough to simply recite a mantra of "Pat Hill has the right vision for the program." After nine years, the slogan should be "Pat Hill has achieved the right results for the program." Unfortunately, he has not.

I think people are overreacting! Pat Hill has not had a losing season since he has been with the bulldogs. He went 6-6 his first season with a crappy recruiting class that Sweeney picked up, which were mostly JC transfers. He is building a legacy. It takes time. They have had the most TV time nationally this year than ever before. Even Boise State with all their success is NOT as well respected nationally as Fresno State, and this all thanks to Pat Hill. The problem is with the University, and the community. He needs the tools to compete, and Sweeney stadium needs to be added to. It's hard to tell a recruit that you'll play anywhere, anyone, anytime, when no one wants to come to your house because there's only 42k seats. Most importantly, the fans need to fill the stadium whether they play a D-2 school or Texas, USC, etc. The only time they show up in full force is when we play some BCS school. Now, I am not taking away from the true fans who are always there. The man can coach....PERIOD! There are too many people that don't know enough about football to even suggest that Hill has to go. Shut and read "Football for Dummies".

Coach Hill did an excellent job coaching our Fresno State Footbal team in the past nine years. There are now one of the most respected team in the nation. He recruited young talent from the valley which approximately 60% of his players. Now, that is very impressive. They represent on what is the agricultural valley can do to compete with biggest cities and schools in the nation. Coach Hill should get an extension for another 10 years. I believe that someday, Fresno State will be playing at the BCS bowl game soon.

I agree whole-heartedly with Dales' comments. Yes coach Hill has done many good things to improve Fresno States facilities, national stature and players GPA. But the bottom line is wins! Most of these so-called big BCS wins have come during those teams down years. His inability to inspire and properly coach during WAC league games after the big BCS games has been and will continue to be his eventual downfall. In many higher profile schools he would already be gone. His one lone WAC championship,(and that was shared)and slightly above average won-loss record speak for itself. I have met coach Hill in the past and know he is a good man who is doing his best, but his best so far in 9 years just isn't getting the job done. He sits on his 500,000 plus salary and asks us to invest our hard earned money into season tickets, Quarterback Club and other charitable events. He then puts a product on the field the likes we saw at Bulldog stadium against Louisiana Tech? I for one will continue to buy season tickets but am withdrawing my support for any of the other events. If you have listened to coach Hills' radio show in the past, during their annual 3 game slides, he becomes very defensive and agitated at anyone who might suggest something is wrong or needed to be changed. This to me is akind to an alchoholic who is very much in denial and thinks everything is O.K. Well I'm here to say everything is not O.K. Fresno State football is in need of an intervention and this includes a head coaching change.

It's a universal fact that sports fans will claim undying love and support when winning and demand the coach's head on a platter when losing. Do you seriously think this discussion would even be taking place if we even won one of the last two games? If some think Pat Hill can't get us to the next level, please tell me who can and will.

Maybe we spent everything we had against USC and there wasn't enough left for Nevada or La Tech. If you want to win the WAC every other year and be happy with that, maybe another coach is the answer. But right now we are paying the price of getting to the next level and we have to endure the pain it's going to take.

I don't think beating La Tech on a consistent basis is going to impress the Pac 10 or anyone else. From Day 1 Pat Hill came here with the intent of making Fresno State a team to be reckoned with on a national level. WAC titles or not, Fresno State is no longer scoffed at by the national media. ESPN Coaches Corner said after USC that Fresno State can realistically become a national contender if they (a) get out of the WAC, and (b) keep Pat Hill. Add to that another 20,000 seats and the fans to fill them, and it isn't such a pipe dream.

But it will never happen if enough people don't have the sense to realize that it's going to take time, effort, sacrifice, and dedication - even more than eight years worth. If you expect that out of the team on the field, then do the same as a fan and supporter. Or wait, let's just fire Pat Hill and that will take care of it. Now that really is a pipe dream.

I remember being a student at Fresno State in the 1980s when the highlight of the year was playing a MAC team in the California Raisin Bowl. I live in Wisconsin now and can tell you that Hill has gained a tremendous amount of exposure in among the Big 10 schools. His name is frequently mentioned for openings. He has built a great program. Thankfully, it gets the exposure to counter the embarrassment of the basketball program. I, too, am frustrated by the swoons. But what guarantees are there that another coach could come in keep the team competitive? Hill will have a breakthrough year. He is s class act. People would be foolish to push for a change at this time.

I think we have many dishearten Fresno Fans because they have whole hartedly bought into the Vision that Pat Hill has created for the Valley. We want consistent wins just as much as our Football Coach does for the Valley. Building a strong foundation for a Nationally recognized football program is not an easy thing to do folks. We have had many wins and conference championships before Hill but how much National Recognition have we consistently had over a 9 year period like Hill has given us to date? The foundation before Hill has been excellent for the Valley. But the very best that we've accomplished before Hill was a 1992 Freedom Bowl Victory against a 6-6 Trojan team that finished in the middle of the PAC-10 conference. Since the arrival of Pat Hill, winning against these types of teams is routine for us, i.e. Georgia Tech, UCLA and Virginia. These teams are legitimate top 25 caliber when they finish in the middle of their Very Powerful football conferences.

Winning against Top 25 teams is an important requirement to recruit solid prep talent that provides the positive cycle of establishing a national tradition.

Instead of us fans criticizing Pat Hill for not winning the WAC conference every year. We should be supporting him for providing us fans every year with a Quality Football team that is consistently in the top 25. I wholeheartedly believe that the year will come when Pat Hill fulfills his Vision of taking the Bulldogs to a BCS bowl game. This is the right vision to have in order to achieve the objectives of recruiting quality prep talent and sustaining a program that is consistently in the top 25. The WAC championship will come along its way by fulfilling this vision.

An excellent model for building a national football program is Bobby Bowdens journey through the 1975's and 1985's at Florida State. It took Bowden 11 seasons of scratching and clawing before he consistently won more than 70% of his games playing the likes of Louisville, East Carolina, Memphis State, Houston, San Diego State and Tulsa. These teams are not much different in strength than we find ourselves playing in the WAC today. Then in 1993 Bowden took his Florida State team all the way to a National Title game victory. That's a total of over 18 years of service before a National Title game folks. The Bobby Bowden model can be viewed as a lesson in patients for us fans that truly want greatness, as I know we all do in Fresno.

As with anything in life, building a tradition with legacy takes both patients and practice. We should not let the minor setbacks of these last few years cloud us with the bigger vision in mind that is coming into sight of consistent national recognition and eventual national bowl games for the Valley. The "grass" will not be better on the other side with a different football coach in Fresno, we currently have a coach that wants to leave a great tradition and legacy here in the Valley just as much as the fans here want a legacy. We should try hard not to let minor setbacks cloud our vision of the bigger athletic goals for the community and support our Coach for building a foundation that will naturally lead itself to greatness.

Fresno State has played out of their league or over their heads all season. How they ever got a game scheduled with a first rate class team as Southern California, I couldn't guess. I think their season is over, and that they should go home and lick their wounds before they are imbarassed by their next opponent. Pat Hill has out lastedhis usefulness as a college coach. A needy high school football program is where he should be next season.
He and the red dogs of Fresno are not in the same league
as the majority of the teams they've played. "Happy New Year Pat and the dogs".

I think that people need to keep a few things in mind. The Bulldogs, under Hill, have never won the WAC title outright.(They completely blew their opportunity to finally do it this year)Yes, we might be the "Giant-Killer" but we cannot beat or "get up for" the La Tech's, Nevada's, and up until Boise's down season, they owned us. In years past how many games did we have the lead going into the second half, yet conservative play calling led to the opposing team beating us due to better coaching and adaptation.
Now let's move onto the ever so amazing Bowl records. Before I go on, let me remind everyone that it was the Silicon Valley Bowl aka the Fresno State Bowl. The "major" teams that we beat those years were not what they used to be, or are now. The last decent team the Dogs played was Mich. State, and we know the outcome. I wonder if the Liberty Bowl was wishing that they did not give that bid so soon.
Then to hear the commentators that were broadcasting the last dogs game, said something that will forever represent Pat Hill. I will sum it up by saying, in order for the Dogs to achieve Coach Hill's goal, of National Championship, one must actually win the WAC title outright to be considered.
All the ingredients are at Fresno State, dating back to David Carr. We just need a different baker to complete the recipe.

I think Hill has down what he set out to do, and that was to take them to the next level after Sweeney. He's done that but he's reached the level he can take them. It's time for him to move on, and the university to get a coach to take them to the level above Hill, a wac championship would be nice. We need to think in terms of small goals here, win the wac, move up in the rankings, then worry about the BCS. I'm tried of hearing how teams get up and play there best games against the Bulldogs, that's just an excuse. Get your kids motivated to play ever week, that's your job. I think the fans are getting tried of getting there hopes up ever year then getting them squashed by Boise, Nevada, Lousiana Tech. People talk about how we should be in the PAC 10, you have to win the WAC once, come on. I like Hill and think he's a very good coach, he's brought an attitude to the program I like, but as a fan it tough to back a program that can play USC one week like a national champion then crap and fall back in it for the next two weeks. Maybe it's just the kids faults, but I think a great coach is a great motivator also. Hill needs to hire an assisant that can do that or get rid of him, as a fan I can't take it anymore.

Fresno State football is nationally known. Known for it's choking seasons. Who's been the coach during all these choking seasons? Is it likely to change anytime soon? Will the green "V" on a helmet make any difference? Fresno State is an asterisk at best. How many small state universities do well nationally? How many of those are in the West? Fresno State fans, wake up. If you want to be a national power you need more than you've got now. It will take more than a stadium. It will take a big time coach, big time schedule with more than one or two big games on it and it will take something more than a green "V". I graduated from Fresno State when they played at Ratcliff Stadium and frankly those games had more going for them than now. I now live in Idaho and watch Boise State just blow the socks off folks. Their coach has been sought after by the likes of Notre Dame and now Colorado got him. Who wants Pat Hill? Fresno States got him but I don't see big schools chasing him. Start with a new coach and go from there. Good luck.

Coach Hill is doing a good job. I would like to see him win the WAC and get a BCS game and win it. Coach Hill will work it out and he will have the players in the right place. Next year you will all see a change and then you will see all bandwagoners come out, and be made believers. Look out WAC because here comes that big fullback and big Dwayne Wright, there will be some changes for the good.

For all those who think its a good idea to make a coaching change, I ask you whats the alternative? I don't see anyone available more qualified than Pat Hill.

I come from a Pac 10 area team, a team with a rich history of winning. Remember the Washington Huskies? They ended up with a good coach who won but had a number of character issues. Since his departure they have gone through 2 coaches and are no where near a winning program. They kind of remind me of the Bulldog basketball programs which a joke.

All Pat Hill does is play by the book and wins more games than he loses. The team, coaches and Pat need our support. Those critizing the outstanding job being done in my opinion don't have a clue and should be careful what their wishing for.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Once again we are discussing a issue that is more for us to vent then anything else. Do any of us honestly think anyone with the clout or leverage to make a diffrence reads this blog? Now with that off my shoulders, Pat Hill has and will continue to take this program to the next level. Look at where we were 9 years ago people!! The silly A** Cal Raisin Bowl. Now we have gotten out from under the Silicon Valley Classic, we are headed in the right Direction. It takes time and true support from the fans and the community and the business. Show up to the game as it has already been said and the stadium will grow, the amount of fans that are here and is more then enough to fill the stadium to at least 60K. One more thing to add and I will get off my soapbox. Pat Hill recuits from mostly the central valley, I think it was said about 60% of his player are home grown. We lose our share to the Pac 10 and SEC and even the ACC, but his team of scouts and himself always find those diamonds in the ruff. Sure some do crack and do not pan out in the buffing stage, but alot of them do shine brite. Look at the players in the NFL that were products of the Bulldogs, Neal, Pittman, Dilfer, Sanders and of course Carr and the list can go on. (Big deep breath) The program is heading in the right direction and PAT HILL is the man to take us all the way. If you are a Band Wagon fan or a Fair Weather fan then get off the bus PLEASE! Your slowing us down and holding us back! GO DOGS!!!!!

It's this simple. Pat talks of BCS and a National Championship as his goal at FSU. But with 2 WAC losses a year that will NEVER happen. The focus on this national scene is great, but you've also got to take care of business. This year was the prime example of why we can't go any farther with Pat as coach. Once again, all the focus on the big games (both losses, both winnable) and then proceed to finish tied for 3rd in the WAC (and losing to the team they were tied with for 3rd). How many people realize that the Dogs have never won an outright WAC title under Hill? How many did BSU win under their brief time in the WAC under the now departed for Colorado Dan Hawkins? Hawkins lost one, 1, ONE, WAC game in the last 4 years. Hill has lost 2 WAC per year for each of those years.

It's that simple. 2 WAC losses per year will NEVER get you to the top. And there's nothing wrong with not being at the top, it would be monumental to get there. I guess my main point is that this Fresno fan group gets drunk with hype and doesn't see the reality that the program can't take care of business in its own conference, thereby defeating the purpose of national exposure and making yourself look like the little team that sometimes can.

I want Pat Hill to stay. He is doing a great job. I can't even believe anyone would consider replacing him. True we haven't won the conference outright, but nationally we are looked upon in higher regard than Boise State. Had we not played BCS schools and instead played non BCS and division 1AA schools and won the conference every year, would we have had the same recognition? I think Pat has done a lot in the nine short years at Fresno State. We cannot expect to be a national power overnight. We need to take it one step at a time. Let Pat coach. I'm sure he wants to win the WAC title as much as the real, true fans.

Fools! That's what we will be if we don't fully support Pat Hill. I agree with those who say it takes time. Fresno State is not USC or any other Pac 10 School.

Pat runs a clean program. Our academic progress is such that our NCAA scores are better than USC. We have had Academic All Americans. That never happened before.

There are no problems with players in trouble with the law. USC can't brag about that. Let's see --- two alleged sex problems in the last year. Just watching the players, before during and after the game shows the character of the individuals and we should be proud.

What we need is a to expand the stadium to 60,000 and fill it regularly. We would add the ecomomic ability to bring in the Wisconsins, Purdues, Washington States of the world and afford to pay them. That then will attract the athletes who will say hey they may be outside that "rich man's league" but I know they want me to get an education and they will guide me on my NFL abilities. I note we just got a committment from a 3 star running back. Hopefully, the Clovis East kid will come too! Next year we get Oregon and Washington. Possibly a Va Tech or Georgia. This is a top 25 program.We need more athletes and a full stadium for continued success.

I voted yes to both questions, though reluctantly; not because I doubt Coach Hill's ability to lead the team, but because I doubt this kind of survey, at this point in time, can do much good. The survey gives the appearance of assuming our Coach has not taken the Dogs to higher points steadily over the years. I believe he has. I live in So. Cal and have many friends all over the country. I have observed that about the only people who doubt Coach Hill's abilities live in Central California, are a vocal minority, and get press in the Bee. I would rather see a survey asking if enough Fresno fans have the dedication, commitment, sacrificial guts, and wisdom to support Coach Hill's efforts and recognize that he is why we are so respected. This kind of survey tends to bring out minority, disgruntled opinions. I hope it does not back-fire for the Bee's sake. "Bee" careful what you write!

I am getting sick and tired of everybody running down Pat Hill. I have been a Fresno St fan since I was a little kid. Pat Hill has had some of the best teams in fresno st. history, and we are trying to run him out? This just doesn't make sense if you ask me. Pat Hill has done so much for this program and community, from the new weightroom the academic gameplan, then new Duncan Building etc. Pat Hill is building a dynasty and we want to run him out of town that is just flat out ridiculous!! Do you realize that we were on the verge of beating #1 USC on their home turf? Yeah I realize we lost to Nevada and La Tech after the SC game. I didn't want them to lose either but it happens sometimes. Pat Hill had them ready for those games, we just did not get the job done. So I am going to say that "YES" Pat Hill deserves to be back for next year. He also does a tremendous job of recruiting here in the valley. 60% of the players right now played right here in the San Joaquin Valley. Just check out the back of their helmets, it says it all the green "V" representin the valley and agriculture. As of right now Hill has a good recruiting class coming in for next season. Fresno St. is becoming a nationally known team now, so this will only help our recruiting even more. We are lucky that Pat Hill is even coaching still at State. Their have been so many times that he could of left for top notch conference team. What did he say? He said "I am not interested, I have my hands full here, I am not done with what I started here and that is building a national powerhouse. So to wrap things up we are pulling for you Pat keep on doing what you are doing, and we will someday be a national powerhouse!!

Pat has done what he said - brought national recognition and academic success to Fresno State. He has also recruited 60% from the Valley - taken those kids and molded them into good, sometimes NFL quality football players - who by the way have an education on top of good football player skills.
Coach Hill needs the support of the Valley and to expand the stadium to get the so called powerhouse schools to come west to the Bulldog house. This can and should be done! Instead of spending the time and energy to put down the Coach and his staff, inject that time and energy to find a way to support the football program you have by filling those seats and expanding the stadium.
Coach Hill is one of the most respected coaches in the nation - give them your support and let him and his staff do their job. Coach Hill will know when it's time to go. Until that time, give him your respect.

One co-WAC title in nine years is not enough to keep your job. Like any business what have you done for me lately?

This year with BSU down we GIFT WRAPPED the WAC title to BSU and Nevada by us choking at home against LATech on senior night, that is unacceptable. Coach Hill is in "DENIAL when he say's after a lost that he does not know what is wrong". If he doesn't know then he needs to coach flag football where every one plays and no one is accountable. It's tough to $$$ support him after finishing 3rd in the WAC for 8 yrs. straight.

I have been buying season football tickets since 1980. I have joined the OB club and attended other funcations too. I will continue to support the program but it gets tough at times.

I have to gave credit to Coach Hill for the Great job he has done in the class room, however, that doesn't win WAC titles or BCS money. We are not a Ivy League school either.
Billy

The problem is not with Pat Hill but rather his defensive coordinator Dan Drown. When was the last time his defense made a stop with the game on the line? Special teams have been outstanding. The team scores enough points to win most if not all games. Opposing running backs have their best games against Brown's schemes. Keep Coach Hill make changes to the coaching staff and add 15,000 seats to Bulldog Stadium and keep playing the tough non-conference schedule. ESPN wasn't even mentioning FSU until Pat Hill arrived.

Well said Billy, I second to that.

In my opinion Coach Hill is a mystery--but in the final analysis, a keeper. It is a mystery to me why our team doesn't make effective mid-course corrections and adjustments (in single games OR whole seasons). It is a mystery to me why our play calling seems so predictable. It is a mystery to me why our team cannot get "up" for WAC games, when they are the path to a championship.

Nonetheless, Hill has at least put the'Dogs within striking distance of greatness, and he has built a quality academic environment for the players. Unfortunately, Pat Hill teams also have a way of breaking our hearts annually.

Let's just hope that Hill becomes less "mysterious" in the future.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water ! Pat Hill has done too many things right. In my business I recognize the positive things my people do and help them improve in areas of weakness. Pat's weakness is managing success and consistency over an entire season. When he solves that puzzle, the WAC champsionships and BCS bowls will follow. It's a mental problem. Pat's boss should find the best personal improvement coach for sports available, and help Pat solve this problem.

For those of you that think getting rid of Pat Hill is the answer, I ask, exactly what are you smoking? I grew up in Clovis and now live in LA, and am surrounded by USC fans. They don't respect any team, but all I heard surrounding the FSU-USC game was respect for our Bulldogs, the program, AND Pat Hill.

Relax people.

Is it me or has everyone completely forgotten where Fresno State football was before the Pat Hill era? Does anyone remember a 62-0 loss to Auburn? What about the team blowing a huge lead to Air Force in Sweeney's last home game? Do you think these things would happen under Pat Hill? Under Pat Hill the Bulldogs have come a long way. I to have become tired of the late season swoons but eventually everything is going to work out. Yes nine years is a long time but Pat Hill didn't take over Michigan. Pat Hill did not take over Florida State. Pat Hill took over a Fresno State team very few people had even heard of outside of Fresno. Today very few teams want to play us because of the reputation we have of beating the so called "BCS" schools. Fresno may have a problem in conference but I ask everyone on this board one simple question: What has winning the WAC done for Boise? Did they play in a BCS game? I don't think so. Did they finish in the tope ten? I don't think so. If you really feel someone else is going to do a better job here in Fresno I would love to know who it could possibly be. If you ask me the problem does not lie within Pat Hill, the problem lies within Cignetti.

Did we learn nothing from the "winning is everything" approach to men's basketball a few years back? Don't get me wrong, I loved Tark. I was in favor of his hire, and I was sorry to see him go. I also think the explanation for our lousy conference affiliation ends with his basketball program, and I consider that a lesson learned. So when assessing Coach Hill, consider wins and losses, but throw in a few other factors: He's built a foundation for this program the right way, and he's been able to win with relatively young rosters. He recruits kids from California and the Central Valley, and I like that the Bulldog players are our own. He's had success in spite of high turnover in the assistant coaching ranks ($). He's found ways to survive in spite of financial mismanagement by at least a couple of the previous AD's ($). He's earned national respect in spite of being in a conference that looks a lot like the old PCAA (When do we play long beach? woo hoo!). He runs a clean program and sticks to his guns no matter what the issue or who is involved. The program recieves kudos for academic acheivement? Are you kidding me? That's remarkable.

He has, in short, created an identity for the program, university, and community that we can all be proud of. Those of you that don't get that, probably don't get that it's going to take more than a stellar win-loss record to make ourselves attractive for potential conference re-allignment ($). You probably don't appreciate that he's still here instead of off to greener pastures like Hawkins from BSU($). You probably don't get that it's going to take your own sacrafice($), support($) and commitment(go to even the lousiest of home games...and buy something) to elevate the program to a level that you're holding him accountable for, and you probably can't think "Outside the Bee" when attempting to form your own opinions about these things. Step outside the Valley, and you'll see that Coach Hill and his program are highly respected. Come on people, you're better than that.

Wow, well I only knew it was a matter of time. There is a fire Pat Hill website. www.firePatHill.com

Actually, I made a mistake. The website is www.firePatHill.NET (not .com)

It appears that the majority of the well educated Fresno State football fans can appreciate what patience and perseverance has done for our football program. The mere fact that the BEE is on this "witch hunt" only reinforces the small town attitude that has historically hampered the growth of anything in Fresno and held the community back forever. Your soon to be published article will only show that you have no clue as to what success is or how to go about acheiving it. Your focus should not be on getting rid of a coach that has taken this program farther than it has ever been. Instead, your article should focus more on providing a vehicle (via your newspaper)to help attain the additional tools (larger stadium, higher budget and community support)necessary to get to the next level. Pat Hill has laid the foundation and instead of trying to tear it down, help to put the next layer on. We have all had our hearts broken over the years and it's human nature to protect our hearts. However, under Pat Hill we have also had some of our happiest moments ever. I personally like those happy feelings and I know that consistancy is not far away. I'm not afraid of success and I support Coach Hill whole heartedly. GO DOGS!!!!!

Let me start off by saying I'm not a Pat Hill basher. I appreciate what he's done for the program. He's a good coach (not a great coach or the smartest coach around) but he's not bad either. My concern is that I don't see a lot of progress since 1999. I believe that was the year we won a co-wac championship. Every year it's the same story, schedule 2 or 3 bcs teams and win 1 or 2, then finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th in the wac and go to a mediocre bowl game and play a 5th place bcs team. That's not a definition of a program on the rise. It is the definition of a program going in circles. Playing on espn 4 times a year makes us popular not successful.

Coach Hill doesn't strike me as a person who will admit that he needs to change his coaching philosophy. Specifically his offense style needs to change. His basic high school offense doesen't cut it anymore. Fresno State's offense is the wishbone without the wishbone. They run,run,run then play action pass. Basically if you stop the run, you stop Fresno State. It's a very predictable offense that doesn't strike much fear into opposing defensive coordinators. Hill only hires offensive coordinators that fit into his style of play. Their basically Pat Hill disciple's. What Hiil need's to do is hire an assistant that has the style of play as say a, Norm Chow's type of offense. Cignetti doesn't call a good game nor does he make very good adjustments at haltime. Here's a good example, (How bout the entire 2nd half of the USC game). Give me a smart offensive coordinator and we win the game. With 1:37 left and 1 time out on the 30 yrd line a pass is called and route is run into the endzone and we take a shot for it all. Tell me something, is that smart? Smart coaches don't call play's like that. A smart coach would have a taken Pinegar aside and told him, "Listen, we got 1:37 left and a timeout, we got USC on their hills, no need to rush anything. Let's use all of this time. Don't force anything. Take what defense gives you and we can put this ball in the endzone and have a chance to win this in overtime." Even though Pinegar threw 4 picks in the 2nd half I blame the coaches for giving him the bad plays and predictable routes to throw too. Someone like Pete Carroll is smart, he made adjustments in the 2nd half and as a result, won the game. Hill nor his staff know how to make those adjustments in critical times during the game.

I'm not asking that Hill should be fired. I just want Coach Hill to humble himself and admit the his coaching philosophy and style need to change. I think if he can surround himself with some bright young assistants and motivate his players to stay focused week in and week out, no matter who they play, then I think we will be ok.

Going to the Liberty Bowl , hoping to see Paul become the first quarterback ever to win four consecutive Bowl games,
Was my heart broken after Nevada and Louisiana Tech, you bet, but the best therapy for me is to support the team and COACH HILL, who got me excited about BULLDOG football and turned me into a fan for life......... BRING THE BELL.... GO DOGS

After living on the east coast for the past 2 years, I am thankful to Pat Hill for actually being able to watch any of the Bulldogs' games on ESPN. It is Pat Hill's reputation that prompts these networks to even put FS on the screen. It is ridiculous that these questions are even being raised, and Coach Hill, the true 'Dog fans apologize for such shortsidedness. I am not sure what team everyone has been watching over the past 9 years, but it sure hasn't been the same one I have watched. We are consistently in the top 25 each year...and with the level of support and $$$ available at FS, that is VERY IMPRESSIVE. Reading the article today in The Bee says it all, the teams we are trying to compete with have double and triple the the budgets we do. Pat Hill can go out at any time and get a BCS job, or even NFL job and make 4X what he is making at FS, but he is loyal to our school, and for that I thank him. All the complaining just highlights what the problem is around FS, fair-weather fans that don't show up to support the 'Dogs no matter who they are playing...which is why we will not be seeing a second level on Bulldog Stadium any time soon. I pose to all the nay-sayers out there, "DO you honestly think we would be better off without Pat Hill?" The answer is, "Are you crazy?" You give Pat Hill a decent budget and decent facility, and he will shine in the BCS. Until we can escape from the "Weakest Athletic Conference" Pat Hill will be hamstrung to put FS on the map.

I am a season ticket holder for 16 years and drive 3.5 hours one way to go bulldogs stadium. It seems when playing big time programs there is agressive play calling. When playing lets say WAC teams it more run out the clock and go home because we are far superior team. At least in the first half. In alot of cases it works. I since the team carries this same attitude. This is why they do not play up to there ability when playing Nevada and Louisiana Tech. This is a coaching problem. Pat hill needs to go out and call plays with the same attitude as playing the Big Boys. Then the players will play with the same attitude. After saying that I would not want another coach anywhere. I do think Pat Hill is the best coach in the country even with that one weakness. If Pat Hill was not here I do not think we would even entertain the Idea of beating USC like we did and should have. Pat HIll has done more for this program than anyone has done for a program before. The east coast is differnt. There 5 BCS Conferences East, where there is one in the west and where we depend on that one to invite us in. If we were and east coast school we would already been invited to a BSC Conference.
Thanks to Pat Hill.

It's not a coach's responsibility to motivate his players. It's always been up to the young men who play the game to find motivation within themselves. It's the coach's responsibility to get those players prepared for the opponent they play, and Hill and his staff do that well week-in and week-out.

Hill and company outcoached the "brilliant" Dan Hawkins and held their own against Pete Carroll and his staff. It's a sad fact that his players haven't come to play since the USC loss. That's not the coaches fault, it's the fault and failure of the players themselves. Knute Rockne couldn't have won with the effort that the 'Dogs gave against Nevada and La Tech.

Hill hasn't failed us, our lack of on-field leadership has failed us. When the going gets tough, players look around the huddle for inspiration. This year, there's just no one there to give it.

Pat Hill is the best thing to happen for our FSU sports community! Our program had jr. & seniors with poorgrades making up our team and nothing else, eight some years ago!
Today , Pat has recruited the way a program needs to recruit to prepare for a good teams year in and year out!
Better grades, new practice field, bigger and faster players, new locker room, shows me the wonderful progress Hill has made! I can't believe the stadium still isn't full for every game with excitement watching what this guy has done! Our local fans aren't the smartest college football fans in the nation and it's beyond me to hear our local's complain and crying and giving up so soon! Sure it would of been nice to win the WAC. Sure it would of been nice to beat USC. Sure it would of been nice to not have lost some huge games the last couple of years!
But a true fan should always be a true fan through thick and thin! When I go on a trip out of Fresno,I wear a Bulldog football shirt and people all over the country know and love to talk about our football team. It's too bad most from Fresno don't know what we got!
But, it is obvious to me Pat will over come! Go Dogs and I'll be in Memphis! I'm a Bulldogs fan Forever! I live in Fresno and I'm proud to say so.

I think our fans aren't thinking nationally. I live in Georgia and do you know how respected Fresno State is as a team - the two Wac losses to Nevada and La-Tech?

I hear it all the time as I wear my Fresno State hat or people see the Fresno State Bulldog on my car. Pat Hill has gotten us to the level that we aren't just Fresno State known only in the West Coast. People ask me questions all the time about Fresno State. While I was in New Orleans I had several LSU fans question me about my Fresno State shirt.

If some on here think Pat Hill is such a bad coach all I ask is how will you find a coach that will bring the "V"alley together, rise academic standards, fundraise, schedule outside of the "box", expand Bulldog Stadium, send athletes to the NFL who were not "star recruits" and do this on a small non-BCS budget?

- Aaron Murrietta
Fresno State fan in Georgia

I agree 100% with Steve Malanca. Being in the military and living in places such as the Seatle area, going all over the US, the world, and currently living in Denver, you would be surprised to how much people respect Fresno State football and know not to take them lighly. The people who want to get rid of him are prob the same people that wanted to get rid of Tarkanian. Good move on that one, where has our basketball program been since he has left (even though I still love them and go to the games and cheer them on when I am in Fresno). As for the people who just want to win the WAC and focus only on that I have some bad news for you. No one in the rest of the country cares about who wins the WAC. Go outside of Fresno and talk to people who know football and they will tell you they have more respect and think Fresno State is a better team than the 4 time WAC champions Boise State. No offense to the fans (especially the true fans), but we have one of the worse college football fans. I can't believe when I was in town and went to the Utah State game how many fans just sit there on 3rd down when we are on defense and don't get loud for the team, it just kills me we can't do something as simple as that and who boos the qaurterback, that is the last thing he needs if he is having a rough game, that is just going to make him play worse. My favorite is when people leave the games early when we are winning saying "it's too boring". I personally like watching at that time because I like to see our young guys go in there and see what we look like for the future when we lose key players. As much as I would like to see the stadium bigger, I wouldn't just yet. I would like to see the people that just sit at the games and are quiet not even buy tickets so we can get fans in there that will make noise, if you want to be quiet you might as well be at home watching it on tv. You can't be national champions over night, like some want, it takes time and Coach Hill is the man for the job. By the way I give props to our student section. They are loud and are the example on how everyone should be. See everyone in Memphis, Go Dogs!

If Pat Hill is so great...highly respected and blah, blah, blah............why is Dan Hawkins at Colorado ???

I'm sorry but I'm so tire of losing the WAC every year for the last 8 years! To me Hill needs to call his own plays instead of coordinators. I've hardly seen him putting on a headset during a game, is he even communicate with his coordinators? It's time for a change and I don't care who it will be, just someone who has the desire to win the WAC instead of BCS. We all know the damn BCS schools wanted nothing to do with Mid-major. If the focuse is on BCS then become independent where we can schedule top 25 teams on a regular basis. For now it'll be tough to have home games but at least a shot at BCS bowls. Hill is overrated!!

Shame on all you naysayers! Pat Hill and the Fresno State Football team have for several years now represented our city and university with pride, compassion and dignified class. Look into the mirror closely, you disgusting malcontents as your hearts are clearly in the wrong places. Check under your seats and recapture the souls that you have lost in the outhouses that have you entrenched with jealousy, anger and dispassion. If you really want this team to continue to grow, learn how to act civil and treat others the same. This is a mid-major school and a great one also. We will get there in time, hopefully without you whinners and definitly with MR. PAT HILL running the ship!!!!!!Good luck Bulldogs!!Mike R.

The day that Pat Hill leaves Fresno State will be the darkest day in the history of the program. Coach Hill has done more for Fresno State football than anyone could have dreamed nine years ago. The people calling for coach Hill's job are the same people that quit coming to the games once the Bulldogs lose their 1st game every season. It's unfortunate that there are so many fairweather fans in the Valley. Pat Hill could have left the program and taken a more lucritive job several times, but he has stayed committed to making Fresno State a national powerhouse, improving the facilities on campus, and making sure that his players perform in the classroom. If coach Hill leaves or is fired, it will be a major setback for the Bulldogs. Fresno State needs more support from it's fans, not a new coach. Big time programs sell out every game because they have tens of thousands of passionate fans that would go to watch their team play in a blizzard. Bulldog fans don't show up because it's a weeknight or because there's a little rain. We played Boise St. on national TV and the place wasn't even full because there was a light rain. Other than the students, Fresno State has about 20,000 hardcore fans that show up no matter what, and the rest just show up when the Dogs are winning or it's homecoming. That needs to change, not the coach.

Give me a break. Time for Pat Hill to leave? No way. Pat, needs to wake up a little and change the offense. Hill, has made Fresno football enjoyable again. Otherwise, why would I stay up to 1:00 in the morning to watch them. Living in Charlotte NC, I enjoy seeing them play. I think people forget that the program is now repsected in all of the country.

Sure Fresno did not win the conference, again. Did Pat Hill, let us down or did the players? There is only so much a coach can do and again the dumb late hits by the players cost alot.

I look forward to Saturday, sitting at the Libery Bowl and supported the team and Pat Hill

Keep Pat Hill! To the Dawg Fan who wrote " No one want to come to your house because there are only 42K seats" - and the Dawg Fan who wrote "we need 60,000 seats"- I am having difficulty understanding how the stadium seats capacity relates to winning games..last year the non BCS Utah Utes won the Fiesta Bowl-their stadium seats 47,000.My research indicates that the size of a stadium has little to do with WINNING!

Pat Hill is a dedicated coach. All of you people who believe it is time for Pat Hill to step down are nothing but whinners.
Pat Hill has done a marvelous job for Fresno and the Valley.
What do you want him to do next?;Part the Red Sea???

Just curious: Before Pat Hill, when was Fresno State more than an afterthought in the national scope?

Sure, Fresno State could go back to the good ol' Jim Sweeney days, when beating Fullerton State and Pacific to win the PCAA was a great year. They could pick up the stray vote but never really be a Top 25 team, play in the California Bowl (remember that?) and look forward to next year's opener against Eastern Montana State Teachers College. Woo! Where's my red sweater?

I'd rather see the Bulldogs playing -- and even losing -- Ohio State and UCLA and Southern Cal, putting themselves in position to impress more voters. And, more important, get Hill in the living room of the next Reggie Bush.

Coach Hill has done more for this program in the last nine years than any coach has ever done for Fresno State football in its history. While it cannot be said that every game has been positive, it can absolutely be said that each year this program makes strides. USC did not put Fresno State on its schedule because it thought Fresno would be a cakewalk, we were on there schedule because on paper Fresno State would have been the third best team in the PAC-10, behind USC and Arizona State. In the end Fresno did not play to its potential, and some of that is coaching, but a lot of it comes done to players executing. Anyone who thinks Coach Hill needs to go obviously does not know a lot about college football as a whole, they just think they do. Pat Hill will leave Fresno someday and it will only be for the NFL or a job for a program like USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida State, etc. You do not fire a coach that can leave for an elite institution, it is a credit to your program if you can produce that level of coach. Something else these people need to consider is who would replace Coach Hill? One day Fresno will be presented with this very difficult task. Fresno State is no longer the place someone goes to begin a career, but the WAC will not be a place a top coach chooses to go. I believe Coach Hill has a grand plan that includes three things: an expanded stadium, a BCS-Bowl victory, and membership in the PAC-10. Once those three things are accomplished Coach Hill will leave, but he will have built a powerhouse school on the West Coast. Coach Hill and Fresno State are following a path that was forged by Bobby Bowden and Florida State and anyone who doesn't want that does not want the best for the Fresno State football program, the University itself, the City of Fresno, and the lucky individuals who get to follow this program.

A shake-up in the coaching staff is all that needs to happen here. Coach Hill is an excellent motivator and the only thing he may need to work on himself is to not show sooo much emotion towards bad calls and whatnot during games. Hill needs to stay, our REAL problem is that nearly all of our best high school athletes continue to leave us and we all know those young men are hurting us the most.

I can't believe people are giving up on Pat Hill after all he's done. I don't know much about the past because im a young bulldog fan. I started watching bulldog football ever since Mr. Hill started coaching. I thnin he's done a great job and pretty soon we'll be up there with the ranks of USC. This year is another steeping stone to something greater. He's bringing the best out of the valley with the kids he recruits and the exposure he brings here. I wish i could afford tickets to go watch a bulldog game one day, but I can only watch on t.v. As much as I was disheartened to see the bulldogs on a losing streak, I believe they'll win the libety bowl and be even better next year. They just need more support from the fans and sellout all the home games next year no matter who we play. I would be even more disheartened if we gave up now and let Pat Hill go because I'm still living his vision and dreams of being the best in the nation one day. GO DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, the "Dogs" downhill slide continued right smack into the toilet! The only thing more they could have done to assure the defeat was to have handed Tulsa the ball and then flopped over! Come to think of it, I believe that did occur!
There has been a lot of talk about coach Hill leaving. He might as well, it's obvious that the team left early in December.
Bowl games demand perfect execution of all parts of the game, it wasn't there today for the Bulldogs and Tulsa deserved to win that game.

I don't know what is wrong with the FSU football team and it is a little late now for this year but I sure hope Pat can fix it before next season. These last three games have ended in defeat at the hands of teams I feel Fresno is clearly superior to. On tv it appeared they played without interest or passion.
As I live in Boise I am first a BSU fan and second a Bulldog fan. In short I am a WAC suppoter and I root for any WAC team in any bowl game or againt anyone from another league playing us. It is important to have at least two strong teams in our league and right now both of these teams are having their problems.
At BSU it is easy to see what's wrong. Our qb is out to lunch. He tries hard but doesn't have the talent. At Fresno it appears the trouble lies under the surface and may be hard to fix. From a distance it looks to me like the best man to repair the ship is Pat Hill.
Bulldog fans should get off his back and help support him for if he tires of complaints and goes some where else you might play hell trying to find anyone who is half the coach Pat is.
Remember Joe Paterno? There were those who were calling for his head not so long ago. Work to help Pat, not to hinder him. We need a strong Fresno State and Boise state to anchor the league. Reno can help too with their continued improvement.
GO BULLDOGS...GO BRONCOS
Roy...Boise

Another fraud of a performance by Fresno State's quarterback. The Bulldogs had a shot against Southern Cal, a game they probably wouldn't have won anyway, but Paul Pinegar throws up on himself. Again.

First they blow gimme points on their first possession, going for fourth down instead of kicking a field goal. Instead of playing with a lead and taking command early, which Pinegar clearly needs, they let Tulsa back in the game.

Paul Pinegar seems like a nice kid, but he's not a big-game quarterback.