Boise State loses another assistant; San Diego State’s Long makes shocking announcement
Boise State football coach Bryan Harsin will have to fill two openings on his staff this offseason as running backs coach Lee Marks has joined offensive coordinator Zak Hill in leaving the program.
The news broke Tuesday on 247Sports affiliate Barkboard that Marks was leaving Boise State to take the same position at Mountain West rival Fresno State. On Wednesday, Boise State issued a statement confirming his departure.
“Our players will return to campus on Sunday and preparations will begin for another successful season of Boise State football in 2020. We were in the process of hiring an offensive coordinator, and we are now also looking for a running backs coach,” Harsin said. “For each of these positions, as we have always done at Boise State, we are going to find the right fit for this program to continue building on what we have already accomplished.”
Hill left in December before the Las Vegas Bowl to assume the same position at Arizona State.
Marks spent the past six seasons coaching at his alma mater, first as assistant strength and conditioning coach before eventually coaching the running backs — the position he played for the Broncos from 2001 to 2005. In 2019, he also was the director of special teams.
As a player, Marks was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference pick. He was the Broncos’ leading rusher twice, and accumulated 1,773 yards over his final two seasons. While coaching at Boise State, Marks oversaw the development of star running backs Alexander Mattison and Jeremy McNichols. This season, he mentored true freshman George Holani, who extended the Broncos’ streak of seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher to 11 straight.
Marks was also a talented recruiter who played a major role in bringing Mattison to Boise.
“We appreciate everything Lee Marks has done for Boise State. This is a great opportunity for Lee, and I would like to wish him the best of luck at his next stop,” Harsin said in Wednesday’s statement. “I have known him for more than 20 years, and worked with him at multiple schools. He is and always will be a great Bronco, and I am happy for him and his family.”
Long steps down at SDSU
San Diego State coach Rocky Long announced Wednesday that he is stepping down from his position. The decision comes as a surprise to many, considering the Aztecs are coming off a 10-3 season and an impressive win in the New Mexico Bowl.
Former Michigan coach Brady Hoke has been named Long’s replacement. Hoke returned to San Diego State in 2019 as its defensive line coach after serving as head coach in 2009-10.
Long was reportedly shopping his services as a defensive coordinator earlier this week and even went as far as to interview at Syracuse.
The Aztecs are the fifth Mountain West program to undergo a coaching change this offseason. At Fresno State, Kalen DeBoer replaced Jeff Tedford. At UNLV, former Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo is replacing Tony Sanchez. Bob Davie is out at New Mexico and Danny Gonzalez is in, and Colorado State hired Steve Addazio to replace Mike Bobo.
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 1:59 PM.
