Entz 'betting on himself' that USC job will lead to bigger things in FBS football

FARGO — A gaze through Matt Entz’s resume includes stops at Division II and Division I FCS schools. He’s won two national championships at North Dakota State and is gunning for a third.

But three letters remain unchecked: F-B-S.

“To be transparent, I’ve had some people tell me that you don’t have FBS recruiting experience,” Entz said Monday. “You really haven’t dived into NIL. Those have been marks against me if you will.”

No longer.

Entz on Sunday accepted the assistant head coach and linebackers coach position at the University of Southern California, although he will remain with the Bison until the end of the season. That will either be Saturday in the Division I FCS semifinals at the University of Montana or Jan. 7 in the national title game in Frisco, Texas.

After that, he will no longer be a head coach. For now.

“I’m betting on myself a little bit,” Entz said. “I saw this as an opportunity for one to continue and broaden my circle of people and hopefully this will lead to some other opportunities down there. Would I like to be a head coach again? Of course I would.”

There weren’t many connections from USC to Entz, with the possible exception a small vein to former NDSU player and assistant coach Gus Bradley. D’Anton Lynn, who was hired as USC’s defensive coordinator two weeks ago, knows Bradley, Entz said. Entz said he and USC head coach Lincoln Riley have mutual friends.

In the end, he said it was mainly Riley reaching out and trying to find the best defensive fit for his staff.

“And my name popped up a couple of times and that’s kind of how it went down,” Entz said.

It most likely helped that USC is moving to the Big Ten Conference next season. Entz is from Iowa and has recruited the Midwest his entire coaching career.

“I anticipate there’s some correlation there, the footprint is the Midwest now,” he said. “What does that look like moving forward in recruiting? I’m sure that helps having my footprint in the Midwest and having recruited the bigger scope of it. Hopefully that will be an asset.”

Why did USC announce the hiring on Sunday? Why not next week?

The Dec. 20 early signing day is one reason. The transfer portal is another.

“I’m sure having someone in that seat makes it a lot easier to recruit and to maintain recruits,” Entz said.

Meanwhile, he said his Bison assistants have been solidifying verbal commitments, with 24 high school players saying they’re going to sign letter of intents on Dec. 20.

“Our staff has done a tremendous job, they’ve connected with everybody who is committed or uncommitted guys who are still kind of in limbo,” he said. “This place continues to find the right people in the right spots and that’s what has enabled us to continue to elevate this program.”

NDSU’s last coaching move also came during a playoff run when Chris Klieman accepted the head position at Kansas State. Like Entz, Klieman stayed with the team through the playoffs and in that case ended in January at the national title game in Frisco, Texas.

“A little familiarity, but I don’t think it makes it any easier for me,” Entz said. “I don’t think anything prepares you for how it’s going to yank at the strings to your heart. (Sunday's) conversation with the team and the leadership group was difficult. You put everything you have into them for 365 days a year and you want to see them have success.”