Boise State fires OC Tim Plough, tabs Dirk Koetter as replacement

Boise State fired offensive coordinator Tim Plough on Saturday, one day after the team's disheartening 27-10 road loss to UTEP.

Former Broncos coach Dirk Koetter was named to replace Plough. Koetter has been serving as an offensive analyst for the school.

Boise State had just 177 yards of total offense against UTEP. The heavily favored Broncos had 84 rushing yards and 93 passing and quarterback Hank Bachmeier completed just 13 of 34 passes.

Boise State routed UTEP 54-13 last season.

"This was a difficult decision, but I believe it is in the best interest of our program," Boise State head coach Andy Avalos said in a statement. "Our team goals are still in front of us and we are focused on working to accomplish them. Tim is a good football coach, and I have no doubt he will continue to positively impact the young men he works with in the future."

Boise State is just 2-2 through four games. The Broncos also lost to Oregon State this season before beating New Mexico and UT Martin and are averaging 22 points per game.

Plough, 37, was in his second season with the Broncos. Plough was hired to run the offense after Avalos became head coach following the 2020 season.

Koetter, 63, went 26-10 as Boise State's coach from 1998-2000 before leaving to coach Arizona State. Koetter went 40-34 in six seasons with the Sun Devils.

Koetter also spent three seasons (2016-18) as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He went 19-29 and was fired after his second straight 5-11 campaign.

Koetter's son, Davis, is a receiver at Boise State.

The Broncos host San Diego State (1-2 entering Saturday) in Mountain West play on Friday night.

--Field Level Media