Fresno State coach Pat Hill flew to Seattle out of the Fresno Yosemite Airport on a Horizon Flight that left at 7 a.m. this morning, according to a pair of airport employees.
He passed through the security checkpoint wearing a tie.
Hill's bright red Hummer, decked out with the Bulldogs logo, also was parked in long-term parking.
The University of Washington, located in Seattle, has an opening for a football coach since announcing the firing of Tyrone Willingham in October. Washington (0-11) has a bye this week, and Fresno State coaches were given today off. Fresno State will hold its annual awards banquet at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Fresno State (7-5 overall, 4-4 Western Athletic Conference) concluded the regular season Friday with a 61-10 loss to Boise State.
A message left with Hill on Saturday was not immediately returned.
Fresno State athletic director Thomas Boeh this afternoon declined to confirm or deny that Washington has contacted him to speak with Hill. Hill's contract runs through the 2010 season at an annual rate of roughly $1.2 million. There is no a buyout clause Hill would be required to pay if he leaves early.
Hill, 56, is nearing the end of his 12th season at Fresno State, where he is 92-60 overall, won a shared WAC title and earned nine bowl invitations.
"Pat clearly has earned the right to look at other opportunities in the profession with the decade of service and success that he's enjoyed and created at Fresno State," Boeh said. "As it is, given the length of his service at the university, it's unusual to have a coach here that long."
Asked after Friday's loss at Boise State whether Washington had contacted him, Hill said "No." Asked if he was interested in the opening, Hill didn't say yes or no.
"I just want to talk about this game," Hill said.
According to the Washington Huskies beat writer for the Seattle Times, Hill is said to be highly recommended by Alabama coach Nick Saban, who hired former Bulldogs offensive coordinator Jim McElwain last offseason. Hill and Saban worked together as NFL assistants with the Cleveland Browns from 1992-94.
Washington athletic director Scott Woodward was at Louisiana State when LSU hired Saban in December 1999.
Pat Hill take the job at Washington.. it ain't going to get better here.
good he's leaving. take him and BRANDSTATER with you. what a duo. HOW is HILL going to win in the PAC-10 if he hasn't even been able to win the WAC. i'd rather root for BOISE nowadays.
Comments by ESPN announcers indicated that U of Washington was interested in Boise State's Peterson. Why would anyone hire a coach that has NEVER won a WAC championship in 12 years? Take a look at Boise's objective and focus each and every year--win the WAC!!! That the priority...
It is time for Pat Hill and Fresno State to part ways.
Pat Hill has done a lot for Fresno State, and I respect him for it. But his inability to win an outright WAC Championship in 12 seasons is unacceptable.
I think a change of scenery for Pat Hill and Fresno State is best for everyone.
IF this is true, one has to believe one or more of the following:
1) after his team that is blown out 61-10 arrives back in Fresno, which must have been very late Fri. night or early Sat. morning and he leaves on a 7:00 am Sat. flight to Seattle for which he must have gotten up at 5:00 am, this guy really must be interested in making this trip. One would think that the preparation for, travel to and from, and emotional trauma leading to, during, and after the game against your arch rival would have tired this guy out.
2) since he answered "no" to whether he was contacted by Washington about their position and he is, in fact, in Seattle to talk with them, he is either parsing words (maybe his agent was contacted) or a liar.
If it gets him out of here I'm all for it!
Pat, please spare us the buyout money and take the job.
the game at boise showed everyone that you lost total control of the football team. boise does not own fresno state, boise owns pat hill.
I hope Pat Hill does not take the washington job. I use to live in Fresno & I am thinking of returned to Fresno. He would be going into a rebuliding postion. They have been a losing team for the last two years or more. Yours Truly Daniel Dunn
Man, coach a team to a mediocre record for the last 3 years, fail to win a conference title outright and consistently get your rear kicked by Boise and Hawaii means you get the UW job? Sign me up! Take the job Pat. Thanks for your help so far but, we need a real coach to take us to the next level.
Oh my God, is this an answer to prayer or what?
University of Washington I want you to know, he is the best and most professional coach you could ever get......please take him----sooner rather than later.
Just to think I don’t have to watch him lick his egg stained Fu Manchu ever again or wear that disgusting sweat stained bulldog cap on the sidelines in representation of our school and our community.
The only thing that Pat Hill does well on the side lines is go tri-polar on the refs. Is he not the ultimate definition of "class"?
He's not head coach material, well not for the WAC, but I think he's perfect for the Pac 10....lol. He could get those Pac 10 teams in the phone booth and kick the shit out of them; "Anyone, Anyplace, Anytime". "Just shut up and hit somebody."
I'm going to mark this day down on my calendar; Christmas may have come early.
Also, if he goes to Washington he can finally get paid what he's really worth! He is worth so much more than $1,200,000.00/year plus hidden perks! What a steal! And to think he looses on a regular basis to coaches making a fraction of his salary. What is the matter with the other schools? Why don't they pay as much as Fresno State? Plain old disrespectful to beat us so badly with such underpaid coaches!
WE might even give UW a package deal... two for one; Pat Hill and Bid Daddy Welty for one REAL coach.
In fact my friend John A. is on the phone right now telling me that he's willing to throw in $50.00 for a hair cut for Welty and a shave for Hill, just to seal the deal; is that nice or what?
We have a possible Trifecta for UW but I don’t want to give away the ranch, not yet anyway. Let's try to close this transaction “as is” and see where the other ball bounces if you catch my drift.
God's speed!!
P.S.: Thanks for all the great memories Pat; the legendary "Great For The Program Losses", preseason hype, creative and even entertaining excuses, time travel to the next years guaranteed success, and especially the money you saved me by not buying red seats or giving donations to the program because of your attitude over the past 10 years. My wife loves the new vacation beach house. Do I sound happy? My greatest fear is that the odds are 61 to 10 against him landing this or anyother job.
Pat Hill, it appears his ego got the better part of him. He can "talk the talk but can't seem to walk the walk". "anytime,anywhere, anyplace" and look what happened; he got his butt kicked real good. That's because "pride goes before the fall". Bulldogs can beat teams equal or weaker (in their own league), but I think they cannot beat a good team in any conference outside their own. Sure, at this juncture they can beat Washington or even UCLA, in fact they can beat up anyone that's down and out but that doesn't mean they can beat them when these team are up at their game. I think Pat Hill wants so much to have his team whoop a PAC 10 team just to satisfy his thirsty ego and not necessarily to showcase the Bulldogs team. It appears he cannot satisfy his seemingly thirst for recognition and status in the WAC and on the political football scene, his next logical step is to join the PAC-10. I hope he gets the Washington head coaching job because the bigger they are, the harder they will fall. I think the Bulldogs should have tried to get Lane Kiffen as their head coach. If Charlie Weis does go, he's up for grabs, why not give him a try.
Hey Pat,
I am very excited you are considering leaving Fresno.
In fact could you please take that Bum of an offensive coordinator with you.In fact take most of the staff with you starting over is what it is.
I am sure we can convince a high school area coach like Tim Simons to come back over and build this program from the ground and certainly get us a winner in shorter period of time then your 20 year plan.
For 1.2 Million I am sure that we can get a guy who is more motivated to get in a plane and hit a serious recruiting trail and get us a real offensive and defensive line along with a quarterback and new set of receivers.I believe the new coach can sell the dream to and sell the idea of coming to california for the weather and hott women.
If Boise can recruit to that S--- hole certainly California has got to be easier to convince people to come here.
I am tired of you saying shut up and hit someone it's time for you to shut up and pack your bags
P.S.
Do you need any help with the moving truck....
Oh and by the wey take your front line with you...
I think? Pat Hill would do a great job for them.(Washington) However, Bringing in a new coach for Fresno State? Now, that would be a tough job! Maybe we could get Tom Flores to come out of retirement?
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!! IF HILL DOES LEAVE WHAT KIND OF COACH DO YOU EXPECT FRESNO STATE TO HIRE IN HIS PLACE? THE FACT IS NO ONE HAS PUT FRESNO STATE ON THE MAP EACH AND EVERY YEAR. WE HAVE BEEN RANKED IN THE TOP 25 ALMOST EVERY YEAR SINCE HILL WAS HIRED. NO ONE ELSE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT FRESNO STATE BEING CONSIDERED A BCS BOWL TEAM BUT OUR US. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE NOT WON A WAC TITLE BUT BESIDES HAWAII LAST YEAR NO ONE BUT BOSIE HAS WON THE WAC IN YEARS. DONT FORGET BOSIE IS THE TEAM THAT BEAT OKLAHOMA IN THE FIESTA BOWL. SO I BEG OF YOU COACH HILL PLEASE DONT LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR A JOB, WE NEED SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT FRESNO STATE FOOTBALL ON A NATIONAL LEVEL!!!
NICK GIANAKOPULOS
It is time for a change. For the first time in our nation's history we have an African-American President-elect. Now it is time for Fresno STate to get the memo. Lets all pitch in 5 bucks and go to Mail Boxes Etc. to buy Pat some "going away boxes". Since Carr left our team has not had a solid foundation at the helm. The Fresno Valley is notorious for producing talent yet Pat recruited over-hyped quarterbacks from down south. It's time to get some new blood flowing through the "Red Wave" because right now its more like the kiddy pool than a wave.
adios Pat
Dear Block CAPS NICK,
What a loser mentality . . . "oh my if Hill leaves Fresno will be lost. What will happen to Fresno State football? Oh no, please, please, please Pat, stay . . . whawhawha!"
Dear Pat,
Get lost. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
The one valid point against Hill has alwasys been his perceived lack of focus on what is really important for Fresno St - and that is (1) winning the WAC, and (2) beating Boise. Simply stated, when he talks about the season, these concepts seem to be in the background. If Hawaii can make a BCS bowl without a marquee game on the schedule, there's no reason a small, slow bunch of Bulldogs need to go out on a limb every season. For instance, playing 7 road games / 5 home games is a ridiculous schedule. Enough with the gimmicks already. Trust me, win the WAC and the important games leading up to it and people will notice.
However, if you want me to be truthful about the talk on this board: You Fresno State people don't have a clue about what a good coach Pat Hill is. Quite frankly, Fresno St does NOT have the talent of PAC-10 and many Mtn West Teams. Pat Hill gets these guys to overperform each and every season. Open your eyes. No one is going to come in here and do a better job.
It is time to give someone else a chance; go to Washington. GO NOW!
PAT HILL HAS TO GO!!!! WE SHOULD OF BEEN RANKED THIS YEAR IN THE TOP 25 AND WON THE WAC WITH THE TALENTED PLAYERS WE HAD THIS SEASON. BUT HE STARTS THE SEASON OUT PLAYING THESE BIG TIME TEAMS ON THE ROAD AND BURNING OUT OUR PLAYERS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY. YOU DON'T SEE BOISE
PLAYING THAT KIND OF SCHEDULE B4 THE WAC OPENER.
THATS FACE IT HILL, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STUPID PLAY CALLING, NOT THE OFFENSIVE CORDINATOR. OUR LAST OFFENSIVE CORDINATOR JIM McELWAIN IS AT NUMBER ONE ALABAMA. SO MAYBE WE SHOULD TRY TO GET JIM BACK AS HEAD COACH.
Be careful what you wish for...
First of all let me say that I am not by any means a Pat Hill apologist. I agree that some changes need to be made that reflect the lack of depth that we have i.e. maybe a switch to a from of the spread offense. However all you people that think that Pat Hill is not a good fit for us, I have one question for you... Can you name a coach with that is going to be more successful at FSU than coach Hill, and will not use us as a spring board for a new job? Mark my words, I do not know how Pat will do at Washington, but I don know this; When he leaves we will take a Giant step back. My only hope is that the guys like Undertaker, and criticcritter will be of the bandwagon when that giant step back occurs. As a lifelong Bulldog fan, a season ticket holder, and someone who remembers the years before Coach Hill as fun but not significant on a national level whatsoever, this is a sad day...
First off, all you haters need to realize what Pat Hill has done for this program over the last 12 years. When he took over from Sweeney, NOBODY knew who Fresno State was or could even find Fresno on a map! Now they can do both. We had WISCONSIN come into our little crappy town (this town is crappy, realize it) and into our crappy stadium. We travel down to LA to play USC or UCLA and we travel BIG, people KNOW who we are. He's raised the profile and the standards and expectations of this program, not to mention the academic standards of his players. So yeah, we've had a disappointing season, but hey, it's only because of Pat Hill that we're DISAPPOINTED with a 7-5 record and another bowl bid. Pat Hill has elevated the football program, the school, and the community and he should always be thanked and revered for that.
With that said, I think he's raised the bar to a level he can't even reach at this point. It may be healthy to part ways, bring in a new coach. Maybe we can attract Jeff Tedford to come back to his alma mater after that bad year at Cal. As much as I love Pat Hill, he's not the most innovative game-planner or play-caller ever. I'm tired of seeing us running late while playing from behind. We've got a sensational QB prospect in the wings and we should get a guy in here who can build an innovative offense around him.
What I'm worried about is that we won't be able to get a coach to replace Pat Hill. I mean, maybe Tedford would consider it, maybe there's an assistant coach somewhere that would do it, but for what we can afford to pay, we're not going to land the Pete Carrol's of the world...hell not even the Tyrone Willinghams. I don't think we should be so eager to push Pat Hill out the door. All I'm saying, is if he WANTS to go, I think we could make that work, too.
Pat is an arrogant jerk who thinks that anyone who criticizes him is not faithful. He is so condescending to anyone who even calls his radio show or in person or to reporters. It is time for him to go as he has shown what he can do here. He complains that we dont support him and becuase of the size and budget we cant get talent. Hello Pat take a look at what Boise has done. Get Lost and Good Riddins!!!!!!!
There's one problem with Fresno. Where would a recruit rather go. Boise, Reno, Utah State, New Mexico, Hawaii etc. Or beautiful downtown Fresno? Except for lazy people, one should try to better themselves in life. Face it the PacTen is better than the Wac. Go dogs.
As a Boise State fan and Boise resident, I think Fresno would be well served by Pat moving on. His stained hat and unwavering commitment to the "V" are not good for Fresno. Commit to winning...not a stained hat and the "V". Fresno could dominate college football in California and the West...BCS every year. If Pat is looking, he indirectly admits he is not the future for Fresno. Embrace his exit. A breath of fresh air will ensue.
Nick you don't have to scream to make your point. Emotionalism has not served Pat Hill well and it will not help you convert a soul to your way of thinking. Let me say one thing before we address your points; I don’t know Pat Hill personally I have met him a couple of times back in his early years. If Pat was selling me cars or shoes I would have bought two of each color, he is that personable and persistent. The remarks I have are concerning coaching; now; let’s take your screams one at a time:
1. When Hill was hired we could have employed a kid name....humm I think his last name is Tedford. Does that ring a bell? I know for a fact we could have hired him for a lot less than $1.2 million. Jeff at that time was a young leader who has proved to be a pretty good head coach. I think you are drinking the cool aid to buy into the pitch that Mr. Hill is the only one that could possibly take us to the promise land. It is easy to sell fear but I don't think the community is buying that line of thinking anymore. Pat Hill always says that "good things happen to good teams". The truth of the matter is developing a good solid program (i.e. Boise) inevitably will produce national recognition; simply put---you don’t have to blow your own horn when your good, the results speak volumes.
2. Pat Hill’s big boast is 9 bowls in ten years, give me an f’’in break; 50% or so of the division one teams get to go “bowling” as they like to say. We lost 61 to 10 at Boise (that is much closer than it should have been) and we are going bowling; if that is true it should be an at large bid for the CCTB; Central California Toilet Bowl.
3. As an old pastor once told me it is not how you start the race it is how you finish. Pat Hill could sell a Hummer to a Homeless man when gas was $4.55 a gallon and do it with a smile on his face while he brags about it on the 19th hole. My response to that is so what; I am convinced it was his salesmanship during preseason that put “Fresno on the map” this year and many other years. He barks loud and the people who rank the teams listen; I can hear them saying in the back rooms, “Lets shut him up and put Fresno at 24”. Then we have to listen to the ESPN geniuses back peddle with excuses for the next 2 months with lines like, “Fresno is not the same team they were in September”…… right. Need I say any more than # 8 Wisconsin (3 & 5 in league); oh ya they did beat Fresno State by 3 and Cal Poly by 1.
4. Nick you need to reread your posting quote, “remember Boise is the team that beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl”. How those words can come out of your mouth and you keep a straight face? Pat Hill screams (to use your term, talks) about playing these kinds of teams and Boise quietly and methodically and with little fan fare tears them a new one. I am flat out sick of the bark; I will take a quiet under control clear headed coach that can produce the bite without all the boasting.
5. Again Nick listen to yourself-quote, “please Pat Hill don’t look elsewhere for a job we need someone to; represent the community with class (no), win (no), perform well (no), over achieve (no), we need someone to TALK about us on national level. Pat Hill’s favorite talk is, “shut up and hit someone” but I believe a faithful fan said it better, “Pat Hill, shut up and beat someone”.
6. Boasty Boy’s ego, emotionalism and “gift” of gab have taken Fresno down as far as he can take us; it is time to cut our losses and move on. Nick do not lose any sleep while you fear and tremble; take about 1800mg of lithium, kick back and know that the right coach is out there for us who can restore some class and hope in a great school with an awesome tradition.
pat hill has done a great great deal for the university and the community. i can't stand him every season, because we always lose, but after that year's all said and done, i'm happy he's on our side. i wonder if we would still be on ESPN when he's gone. i wonder if we will still be talked about. i wonder if we will have NFL prospects every year. or do we revert back to the past where, we scored a lot, had exciting games, but no one outside of fresno cared.
if you're the big dog in your house and step outside and nobody cares or even looks at you, how do you feel.
I'd rather be the the one that everybody talks about potentially owning the block that year. only pat hill has done that for us EVER.
if he leaves, i'll support him. but only if it will make him happy to leave. he deserves it, a chance to get better talent. a chance to be at a big time program. i'll support him. I just hope he can help put in a good word to bring someone decent in to run our program here.
I think DILFER may be a great option, if he is willing.
ESPN just ran the ticker that Pat has removed his name from the running for the Washington job. I was kind of hoping that he would be offered and accept the Washington job.
As a Fresno State Alum, I think that Fresno State has gone stale. We have the same flat offense every year. We start the year so good and then at some point the season just falls apart.
We need to get some new blood in there and liven up the team.
sure you can win the wac with an undefeited record, with a mediocre schedule... look what that did for boise state & thier non BCS bowl appearance.. fresno state is better than that! Across the country people have respect for fresno state. you dont see boise st on espn or national tv as much as fresno state... so what if the dogs got dogged... building a strong repectable mid major college program to go up against bcs programs is what fresno st is built on since pat hill came aboard... Hey Pat those who judge you, do not remember where fresno state was before... I am a Fresno State Bulldog / Pat Hill Fan... Dont Ever Leave!!!