This article was originally published by Ron Counts in the Idaho Statesman.
New Boise State football coach Andy Avalos has his offensive coordinator.
Boise State hired UC Davis offensive coordinator Tim Plough, the university confirmed Tuesday. He has spent the past four years in the same position on former Boise State coach Dan Hawkins’ staff.
“When I got this job, there was one person that came to mind for our offensive coordinator position, and we are very lucky to have him,” Avalos said in a press release. “Tim is a great husband and father, and someone who will bring family and team-first values to Boise State. His ability to develop quarterbacks and lead explosive and precise offenses is evident by the production of his previous teams, and he has a willingness to invest himself in our university and community.”
A former quarterback at UC Davis, Plough has spent eight years on the Aggies’ staff. In his first stint, he was a graduate assistant coach in 2008 and was promoted the following year to quarterbacks coach. He was the Aggies’ passing game coordinator from 2010 to 2012.
After a stop at Northern Arizona, he returned to UC Davis in 2017 and helped the Aggies lead the Big Sky Conference with 484.7 yards of offense and 384.3 passing yards a game and set more than 20 program records on offense. They led the conference with 322.8 passing yards a game in 2018, and ranked No. 3 in 2019 with 309.2.
“My family and I are so excited to be joining the Boise State program, but also to live in the Treasure Valley community,” Plough said in a press release. “We value the relationships that we can build, and the support we know we’re going to get. A big reason we wanted to be here was to work for a great program, but also to work for someone like Andy Avalos, someone we believe in. We are focused on putting together a group that Bronco Nation can be proud of, and one that will score a bunch of points.”
Plough’s wide-open passing attack averaged 42.5 pass attempts a game in 2019, 45 per contest in 2018 and 42.9 in 2017.
His arrival could mean a change in approach for the Broncos. Under offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau, Boise State averaged 31.7 pass attempts a game last season. Under current Arizona State offensive coordinator Zak Hill in 2019, the Broncos averaged 33.2.
Avalos earlier Tuesday named Spencer Danielson as his defensive coordinator.
Avalos also has confirmed the hire of Oregon player development and recruiting assistant Da’Vell Winters, who hinted on Twitter that he will carry the chief of staff title, but no official announcement has been made.
No other additions to the staff have been made official at Boise State, but several coaches have followed former coach Bryan Harsin to Auburn, including defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding, offensive line coach Brad Bedell and strength and conditioning coach Jeff Pitman. Associate Athletic Director Brad Larrondo also joined the staff at Auburn.
BK GRAD HAWKINS HIRED AS REPLACEMENT
Cody Hawkins, a 2006 Bishop Kelly High grad, will replace Plough as the offensive coordinator at UC Davis, theschool announced Monday. He is the son of Dan Hawkins.
The 32-year-old Hawkins previously coached UC Davis’ wide receivers and was its assistant director of football operations and recruiting.
Cody Hawkins left Boise as one of the most successful high school players in state history. The quarterback never lost a game at Bishop Kelly, going 40-0 overall and 24-0 at the varsity level to lead the Knights to the 2004 and 2005 4A state titles. He was voted the 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year both seasons.
He followed his father when Dan Hawkins left Boise State for Colorado, where he set multiple passing records.
UC Davis also promoted former College of Idaho offensive coordinator Mike Cody to wide receivers coach. He previously was the Aggies’ assistant offensive line coach.
UC Davis begins its coronavirus-delayed season Feb. 27 at home vs. Montana State.
