BOISE, Idaho — One of the most productive linebackers in Boise State history will begin his head coaching career with the same program where he still ranks No. 5 all-time with 355 career tackles.
Boise State is finalizing a deal to make Oregon defensive coordinator Andy Avalos its new head football coach, multiple sources told the Idaho Statesman on Friday. He replaces Bryan Harsin, who was introduced as Auburn’s new coach on Christmas Eve.
Avalos is the first person of color hired as head football coach in program history. He beat out a field that reportedly included Montana State head coach Jeff Choate, Florida offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell.
He is the sixth Latino head college football coach in the country, and third in the Mountain West, joining Manny Diaz at Miami, Dave Aranda at Baylor, Mario Cristobal at Oregon, Marcus Arroyo at UNLV and Danny Gonzalez at New Mexico.
New Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey flew to Bozeman, Mont., and Eugene, Ore., on Thursday to meet with Choate and Avalos.
Harsin kept Avalos on staff when he took over at Boise State in 2014 and promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2016. Avalos left for Oregon to be the defensive coordinator there following the 2018 season.
The 39-year-old native of Corona, Calif., is in the second year of a three-year contract at Oregon, earning $815,000. He was due to earn $865,000 in the final year of the deal, according to The Oregonian. Harsin was due to make $1.86 million at Boise State this year.
Avalos played at Boise State from 2000 to 2004 and led the Broncos in tackles in each of his final three seasons. He was an assistant coach for the Broncos from 2012 to 2015, focusing on defensive line and linebackers, before he was promoted to defensive coordinator.
In each of his three seasons as Boise State’s defensive coordinator, the Broncos finished in the top four in the Mountain West in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and third-down defense.
Over Avalos’ seven seasons at Boise State, the defense ranked in the top 25 nationally in turnovers forced six times, including top-10 performances in 2012 and 2014. The Broncos forced 31 turnovers in both 2014 and 2015.
Boise State has struggled to create turnovers the past two seasons, and finished with just three in seven games last fall.
In 2019 — his first season as Oregon’s defensive coordinator — Avalos was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the top assistant coach in the country. The Ducks gave up just 16.5 points a game that season, which ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the Pac-12. They led the conference in sacks (41), tackles for loss (97) and interceptions (20).
Avalos has connections to several of Boise State’s current assistant coaches, including co-defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson, who has been rumored to be considering a move to Auburn but developed a close relationship with Avalos during his final two seasons with the Broncos.
Danielson is a potential candidate to be Avalos’ defensive coordinator.
Avalos played with safeties coach Gabe Franklin, who was a defensive back at Boise State from 2001 to 2004, and the duo coached together at Boise State in 2017-18. Cornerbacks coach Jalil Brown was also on the Broncos’ staff in 2017 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Offensive line coach Brad Bedell, offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau and tight ends coach Kent Riddle were also on the Broncos’ coaching staff with Avalos.
Boise State finished the 2020 season 5-2 after making its fourth consecutive Mountain West championship game. The Broncos are expected to begin spring practice in early March.
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ANDY AVALOS
Coaching career
2006-2008 Colorado (graduate assistant)
2009-2010 Nebraska-Kearney (defensive line)
2011 Sacramento State (graduate assistant)
2012-2013 Boise State (defensive line)
2014-2015 Boise State (linebackers)
2016-2018 Boise State (defensive coordinator)
2019-2020 Oregon (defensive coordinator)
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Bowl games as coach
2020 Rose Bowl – Oregon
2018 First Responder Bowl – Boise State
2017 Las Vegas Bowl – Boise State
2016 Cactus Bowl – Boise State
2015 Poinsettia Bowl – Boise State
2014 Fiesta Bowl – Boise State
2013 Hawaii Bowl – Boise State
2012 MAACO Bowl Las Vegas – Boise State
2007 Independence Bowl – Colorado
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Playing career
2000-2004 Boise State: A former All-Western Athletic Conference linebacker, Avalos led the Broncos in tackles in each of his final three seasons and still ranks No. 5 all-time at Boise State with 355 career tackles.
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Bowl games as a player
2004 Liberty Bowl – Boise State
2003 Fort Worth Bowl – Boise State
2002 Humanitarian Bowl – Boise State
