The previous All-WAC linebacker at Boise State and a long-term assistant coach for the Broncos has been selected as the swap for Bryan Harsin.
Sources told the Idaho Press and BlueTurfSports.com Friday that Avalos, who spent the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Oregon, is relied upon to be named Boise State’s next head coach.
Harsin left for Auburn on Dec. 22, leaving the Broncos without a coach for the first time since Chris Petersen left for Washington in December 2013. Yet, on the 17th day of the search, the Broncos landed the coach many wanted from the beginning.
Avalos beat out a group of competitors that included Montana State coach Jeff Choate and USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey went for face to face interviews with both Avalos and Choate on Thursday prior to consenting to a deal with Avalos on Friday.
Avalos played for the Broncos from 2001 to 2004 and was one of the top linebackers in program history. He led the Broncos in tackles three years in a row and still ranks No. 4 on Boise State’s career tackles list with 365. He was a first-team All-WAC selection in 2003 and 2004.
The Broncos went 44-7 in Avalos’ four years as a player. Subsequent to going 8-4 in 2001, the Broncos went 12-1, 13-1 and 11-1 during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. In his final game at Boise State, Avalos had a 94-yard interception return for a touchdown against No. 7 Louisville in the Liberty Bowl.
Avalos moved into coaching following the finish of his playing career and joined Boise State as defensive line coach in 2012. He progressed to linebackers coach in 2014 preceding being elevated to defensive coordinator in 2016.
Boise State completed 38th, 21st and 52nd in total defense in three years with Avalos as defensive coordinator. In his last season at Boise State in 2018, the Broncos led the nation with 17 bobble recuperations and completed No. 20 nationally with 24 takeaways. The Broncos likewise positioned tenth in the nation with 3.0 sacks per game and were tied for 6th with four defensive touchdowns.
Avalos left for a major increase in salary at Oregon in 2019 and promptly improved the Ducks from 49th to ninth in total defense in his first season. Oregon additionally led the Pac-12 in the two interceptions and constrained turnovers in Avalos’ first year and have won the Pac-12 title in every one of his two seasons.
Boise State went 5-2 during the pandemic-shorted 2020 season and lost to San Jose State in the Mountain West title game in Las Vegas. The Broncos declined to take an interest in a bowl offer, and Harsin left for Auburn two days after the fact.
