Tim DeRuyter leaves mixed legacy for Fresno State football

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tim DeRuyter's time at Fresno State has come to an end and although his firing comes after three straight losing seasons, he did experience initial success here in the Valley.

His inability to recruit and develop talent successfully is a big reason why he's no longer the top dog of the Bulldog football team. Pat Hill's departure after the 2011 season meant Tim DeRutyer's arrival in the Central Valley. Fresno State became DeRuyter's first head coaching gig after being a defensive coordinator at Texas A&M.

DeRuyter would see instant success by guiding the 2012 team to a 9-4 record, a share of the Mountain West title and a spot in the Hawaii Bowl. The 2013 season would be even better. Led by NFL-caliber players like Derek Carr, Davante Adams and Tyeler Davison, the 'Dogs flirted with an undefeated season and ended up 11-2 including the first Mountain West title game championship trophy.

Four months later, Fresno State gave DeRuyter a five-year contract extension that more than doubled his annual salary and all of it was guaranteed. In 2014, the 'Dogs started 3-6 but won their last three regular season games before losing in the Mountain West title game and the Hawaii Bowl.

Fresno State started four different quarterbacks due to injury en route to a 3-9 campaign in 2015. The 2016 season was supposed to be a bounce back year with new enthusiasm and new coordinators but the results would not match the energy and optimism.

After a 1-7 start, athletic director Jim Bartko and president Dr. Joseph Castro decided to fire DeRuyter on Sunday with four games left to go in the season.