Photo by Paolo Aldrighetti on Unsplash
Coaching changes always bring a mix of uncertainty and excitement to college football, and the Mountain West Conference is no exception. As the league heads into the 2025 season, several programs will be guided by new or recently settled leaders who could shape the future of their schools. Some inherit proven rosters, while others face the challenge of turning struggling teams around, but all of them add new storylines to an already competitive league.
1. Spencer Danielson, Boise State
Spencer Danielson has already built an impressive start with Boise State, going 15-3 and securing two MWC titles along with a College Football Playoff berth in less than two seasons. That kind of early success is why oddsmakers currently list the Broncos at +220 to win the Mountain West again in 2025, the shortest odds in the conference. These numbers are available across a range of platforms, including popular options without KYC requirements, which are known for generous bonuses, anonymous betting, and flexible payment methods.
Odds offered by these bookmakers are more than just betting lines; they often reflect how a team’s performance and a coach’s reputation are perceived in the wider market. Danielson’s teams play with discipline and energy. His ability to maximize player development makes him the most compelling figure among MWC coaches.
2. Bronco Mendenhall, Utah State
Utah State pulled off one of the biggest offseason moves by convincing Bronco Mendenhall to take over. With 140 career wins, Mendenhall enters the league as the most experienced coach on the sidelines. He built consistent winners at BYU and Virginia, and his structured, detail-oriented style is already bringing optimism to Logan.
Utah State fans know the program has often been inconsistent year to year, but under Mendenhall, they expect stability and a clear identity. The Aggies also benefit from his recruiting ties in Utah and the western United States, which should help the program stay competitive even as it prepares for the Pac-12 transition.
3. Jason Eck, New Mexico
Few coaches arrive with the same buzz as Jason Eck. In Idaho, he turned a program that had been mostly overlooked into a consistent FCS playoff contender, making three straight appearances and twice reaching the quarterfinals. Taking over at New Mexico is a different kind of challenge, as the Lobos have struggled to stay competitive for much of the last decade.
However, Eck’s ability to build toughness and get the most out of limited rosters makes him a strong candidate to lead a turnaround. The Lobos may not be ready to contend right away, but his hiring has injected hope that better days are on the horizon.
4. Dan Mullen, UNLV
Dan Mullen’s name carries weight in college football thanks to his long run in the SEC, where he compiled a 103-61 record. His time at Mississippi State was highlighted by developing talent and building the Bulldogs into a nationally respected team, even if he couldn’t consistently overcome the league’s giants.
In Florida, he showed flashes of brilliance before the program soured on him. Now at UNLV, he steps into a program that has built momentum with back-to-back bowl appearances and a growing fan base. If Mullen adapts quickly to changes in recruiting and the transfer portal since his last stint, he could turn the Rebels into a consistent contender in the new-look MWC.
5. Matt Entz, Fresno State
Matt Entz arrives in Fresno after winning two FCS national titles at North Dakota State and spending a short stint as a position coach at USC. His record at NDSU, 60-11, shows he knows how to manage a winning program, but Fresno State presents a tougher landscape.
Unlike the Bison, where his teams often had the best roster on the field, the Bulldogs will require Entz to out-coach opponents in a league full of parity. Still, Fresno has long been a strong program with a passionate fan base, and its reputation for player development could keep the Bulldogs competitive even as they prepare to move to the Pac-12.
6. Jeff Choate, Nevada
Jeff Choate has experience rebuilding programs, having played a big role in Montana State’s rise into an FCS power. Nevada has struggled in recent seasons, but Choate’s 31-32 career record shows he can handle the grind of college football.
He’s already made it clear he wants the Wolf Pack to play with toughness and physicality, and while it may take time, his track record suggests progress is possible. Nevada’s roster isn’t as deep as some of its rivals, but Choate’s focus on fundamentals and team culture gives them a chance to improve year by year.
7. Sean Lewis, San Diego State
Sean Lewis is entering an important season at San Diego State after a rocky 3-9 debut. His reputation was built at Kent State, where he turned one of the MAC’s weakest programs into a competitive team, but the challenge at SDSU is different.
The Aztecs are heading toward the Pac-12 and need a coach who can restore their hard-nosed defensive identity while modernizing the offense. Lewis has always been known for his fast-paced, creative schemes, and if he can successfully blend that with San Diego State’s tradition, the program could be back in the mix sooner rather than later.