Nevada Football Hires Jeff Choate As Next Head Coach
Nevada Wolf Pack football has found its replacement for Ken Wilson. Jeff Choate, the Texas Longhorns’ co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach, will be Nevada’s 28th head coach in school history, Nevada Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe announced Monday.
“I am incredibly pleased to introduce Jeff Choate as the next head football coach at the University of Nevada. Jeff has coached with and developed under the tutelage of some of the best football minds in the game. His style and vision fit everything we believe will build Wolf Pack Football back into a championship-caliber program,” said Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe via statement. “Whether as a head coach or an assistant, Jeff has continually developed programs and student athletes into champions throughout his career. We are excited to welcome the Choate family to Reno and the Northern Nevada community.“
Choate is coming from Texas who just won the Big 12 conference and will be playing for a shot to win the National Championship this season. His defense was the best in the Big 12 and one of the best in the entire country. They have had elite rushing defense (80.8 ypg, third in FBS), as well as exceptional red zone defense all year (71.4 percent; 4th).
“Becoming the head coach at an FBS program has always been my dream. Along my journey, I’ve been fortunate to work with some exceptional individuals—players, coaches, and mentors—whose influence has shaped me both as a person and a coach. I owe a heartfelt thank you to my family for their unwavering support; they have been my anchor through every climb and challenge,” Choate said. “I would like to thank all of the players, past and present, for the incredible impact they have had on me as a human being and a coach. And I would like to thank Chris Del Conte and Steve Sarkisian for their support and encouragement, as I take this next step in my journey.
I am sincerely thankful to President Sandoval and Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe, as well as the entire Nevada Athletics staff, for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead Nevada Football into the future. Together, we are ready to climb the mountain, instill the ‘Battle Born’ mentality, and create a transformative experience for our players. Our goal is to reignite the fire within the Wolf Pack and elevate the program to championship heights.
To the young men of this program, your character and toughness will be the driving forces behind our pursuit of excellence. You embody the true spirit of Wolf Pack football, and we are committed to making the Reno and Northern Nevada communities proud. Let’s get to work and write the next inspiring chapter in the legacy of Nevada Football.“
Choate has been coaching since 1992 and even coached at Mountain West rival Boise State from 2006 to 2011 under Chris Peterson, who he also coached with at Washington for two seasons. He also had a head coaching job at Montana State from 2016 to 2020 before departing for the opportunity at Texas.
There is a lot of work to be done and it only starts with hiring Choate for Nevada. There are some big question marks at multiple positions, specifically quarterback. It will take a lot more than a new coach to get out of one of the worst stints in program history.
