Longtime Boise State Football assistant coach Kent Riddle is stepping down to spend more time with his family, Bronco Nation News first reported on Tuesday.
Riddle has spent the past 29 seasons as a college coach, including 13 at Boise State. He was with the Broncos from 2001-2005 and then again from 2014-2021.
During his time with the Broncos Riddle coached special teams, running backs and tight ends. He most recently spent the past seven years as tight ends coach for the Broncos.
Sources told Bronco Nation News Riddle is not retiring, but will take a break from coaching to spend time with his family before looking for additional opportunities. That was confirmed later Tuesday in a Boise State release announcing the move.
“Boise State is a special place to me and it always will be,” Riddle said in a release. “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. 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 is the fourth Boise State assistant coach to depart from the 2021 coaching staff. Running backs coach Winston Venable left to ‘pursue other opportunities’, cornerbacks coach Jeron Johnson left to spend more time with his family and EDGE coach and special teams coordinator Stacy Collins left for a similar job at Penn State.
Boise State replaced the previous three departures with Keith Bhonapha (running backs), Kelly Poppinga (special teams, EDGE) and Demario Warren (cornerbacks).
There is no immediate word on a possible replacement for Riddle, but it’s expected a hire will be announced in the near future.
Riddle started his coaching career in 1993 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Oregon State. His first full-time gig came as fullbacks coach at Army in 1995.
He coached at Army (1995-2000), Colorado (2006-10), North Texas (2011-12) and Arkansas State (2013) in addition to his time in Boise. He’s coached every season dating back to 1993.
“Coach Riddle has mentored several generations of Broncos, making a positive impact on the lives of so many that have come through this program,” coach Andy Avalos said in a release. “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’s son Connor has spent the past four years as a walk-on wide receiver. He’s also served as the holder on field goals and PATs. Connor still has eligibility remaining in 2022.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated…
