Courtesy of Nevada
RENO, Nev. – Jeff Choate has been named the 28th head coach of the Nevada football program, University of Nevada Director of Athletics 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. “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 comes to Nevada from Texas, where he has served as the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach since 2021. Under Choate’s tutelage, the Longhorn defense tops the Big XII in rushing defense (80.8 ypg, third in the country), red-zone defense (71.4 percent, fourth in the country), scoring defense (17.5 points per game, 13th in the country), and total defense (321.7 yards per game, 23rd in the country), as the Longhorns racked up a 12-1 record, Big XII title, and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“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.”
Prior to his time in Austin, Choate served four seasons (2016-19) as head coach at Montana State. There, he led the Bobcats to a combined 19-9 record over his final two seasons, making consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs with a run to the semifinals in 2019.
Since starting as a graduate assistant at Utah State in 2002, Choate’s stops have included championship and top-10 programs as Boise State (2006-11), Montana State (2016-20), and Texas. The Longhorns will face No. 2 Washington, where Choate spent two seasons (2014-15) as an assistant under Chris Petersen, in the 2024 Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, and his resume includes two Fiesta Bowl titles (Boise State, 2007 and 2010).
“Jeff Choate is the right person at a very important moment in Wolf Pack football’s long history to lead our program into the future. Coach Choate has excelled at all levels as a coach, with a proven record in building successful college football programs. In my conversation with him, I was very impressed with Coach Choate’s competitive mindset, integrity and thoughts about the success – both on and off the field – for the program, and most importantly, for the ultimate success of our student-athletes. I am thrilled to welcome Coach Choate and his family to The Wolf Pack Family,” said University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval.
At Texas, Choate helped guide Jaylan Ford to one of the finest years for a linebacker in program history in 2022. Ford earned All-American honors and All-Big 12 Conference accolades after totaling a career-high 119 tackles (61 solo), 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions. The 119 tackles were the most for a Longhorn since 2014 and his four interceptions tied the single-season record for a Texas linebacker, last accomplished by Derrick Johnson in 2002 and 2003.
In 2021, Choate tutored linebackers Overshown and Luke Brockermeyer to career years. Both players earned honorable mention All-Big 12 accolades, while Brockermeyer was also nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. Overshown and Brockermeyer posted career highs in tackles, totaling 74 and 72, respectively, to lead the team.
Over his four seasons at the Montana State helm, the Bobcats improved dramatically in many statistical categories. By his final season (2019), Montana State ranked in the FCS top 25 in rushing offense (8th/258.1 ypg), turnover margin (13th/+0.87 tpg), rushing defense (18th/121.2 ypg), scoring defense (23rd/22.1 ppg), and total offense (25th/426.5 ypg), along with sacks allowed (7th/0.93 spg), sacks (20th/2.73 spg), tackles for loss allowed (11th/4.67 tpg) and net punting (14th/39.17 ypp). Two Bobcats earned second-team FCS All-America honors, including OL Mitch Brott and DL Bryce Sterk. Along with those two, a total of 13 Montana State players received All-Big Sky Conference recognition, including first-team linebackers Troy Andersen and Josh Hill and third-team linebacker Amandre Williams. Montana State finished the season 11-4, winning six of its last seven games with the only loss coming to No. 1 North Dakota State in the playoff semifinals. The 11 wins are the second-highest single-season total in program history and included a fourth-straight win over Montana for the first time since 1977.
The 2018 Bobcats won four of their last five games, including the program’s 10th postseason game in program history, only falling to North Dakota State in in the second round of the playoffs to finish 8-5. They featured the nation’s No. 17 rushing offense (231.8 ypg) and was effective in not allowing negative plays, ranking seventh in tackles for loss allowed (4.08 tpg), and 12th in sacks allowed (.085 spg). The team was once again proficient in turnover margin, ranking 12th at +0.77 tpg, and net punting, which was 16th at 38.01 ypp. Andersen earned third-team All-America honors as an all-purpose player after playing quarterback, starting 11 of 13 of MSU’s games. He set a school record rushing for 21 touchdowns, along with 1,412 yards on 206 carries (6.9 ypc). Overall, he registered 2,607 yards of total offense.
In 2016 and 2017, Choate began the building process at Montana State. The Bobcats had back-to-back Big Sky Freshman of the Year honorees those seasons with Andersen, playing both quarterback and linebacker, garnering it in 2017, and QB Chris Murray doing so in 2016, along with Freshman All-America recognition. One of Andersen’s fellow linebackers, Mac Bignell was tabbed first-team all-conference in 2017. The Bobcats led the Big Sky and ranked seventh nationally in rushing offense at 249.5 yards per game that year, all while facing a program-record seven nationally ranked opponents. The rushing attack was also strong the year before, as they ranked 17th in the nation at 212.0 yards per game behind a line anchored by first-team all-conference OG J.P. Flynn.
In 2015, his second at Washington, Choate was part of the top defense in the Pac-12 Conference, despite having lost four starters to the NFL Draft after the 2014 season. The defense led the Pac-12 in scoring defense (18.8 ppg) and total defense (351.8 ypg) and was second in rushing defense (125.3 ypg) and pass efficiency defense (115.9). The Huskies were also best in the league in opponent first downs and red-zone defense. Sophomore DL Elijah Qualls registered eight starts in 10 games for the Huskies with 4.5 sacks and would later be selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Future 2018 first-round pick Vita Vea was also a member of that line and played in 11 games as a freshman. Washington capped their season with a win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
At UW in 2014, Choate coached a defensive line that featured two first-team All-America selections in Hau’oli Kikaha (one of just six unanimous All-Americans in UW history) and Danny Shelton. Kikaha led the nation in sacks with 19.0, while linemate Andrew Hudson finished sixth in the nation with 12.5 sacks. Washington finished the season second in the nation in sacks, fifth in fumble recoveries, ninth in turnover margin and 26th in takeaways. Additionally, UW led the NCAA-FBS with seven defensive touchdowns. The UW’s special teams also stood out as Washington the Huskies had one of the nation’s most accurate field-goal kickers (Cameron Van Winkle, .833, 12th) and returned two kickoffs and a punt for a TD. Meanwhile, the Huskies allowed just 50 yards in punt returns all season.
In 2013, Choate served as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Florida. The Gators ranked second in the SEC in total defense (314.2 ypg/8th FBS) and pass defense (171.8 ypg/7th FBS), while ranking third in rush defense (142.4 ypg/33rd FBS) and points allowed (21.1 ppg/15th FBS). Several special teams units also ranked in the top 15 nationally, including kickoff return defense (16.41 ypr/3rd), kickoff returns (24.82 ypr/10th), and punt return defense (3.77 ypr)/13th).
Choate served one season as linebackers coach at Washington State in 2012. The Cougars were No. 8 nationally in tackles for loss (7.7 pg) and 11th in sacks (2.9 pg).
From 2006-2011, Choate was an assistant at Boise State in several roles. He served as special teams coordinator all six years and also spent time coaching running backs (2006-08), linebackers (2009) and nicklebacks (2010-11). During that time, the Broncos posted a 73-6 overall record, winning four Western Athletic Conference Championships and two Fiesta Bowl Championships and finishing ranked in the top 11 five times (2006, ’08-11), including two in the top five (2006, 2009).
Boise State ranked in the top 25 nationally in kickoff returns three times (2007, 10th; 2009 4th; 2010, 23rd) and in punt returns four times (2007, 22nd; 2008, 20th; 2010, 16th; 2011, 18th) under Choate.
Among his protégés was Kyle Brotzman, the highest-scoring kicker in school and conference history (439 points) and Boise State’s career leader in punting (44.6 ypp). He also coached Kyle Wilson, who led the country in punt return touchdowns (3) and ranked 12th in punt return average (14.2 ypr) in 2008.
Coaching nickelbacks, Choate tutored All-WAC first team selection Winston Venable in 2010. The Broncos ranked second nationally in scoring defense (12.8 ppg) and total defense (254.7 ypg) that season.
Working with the linebackers in 2009, the Broncos were 14th nationally in total defense (300.2 ypg) and scoring defense (17.1 ppg). The team led the WAC in six defensive statistical categories that year, including passing efficiency defense, total defense, scoring defense, pass defense, tackles for loss and sacks. The team completed its season 14-0 with its second Fiesta Bowl win by defeating TCU.
As running backs coach, he was instrumental in the development of Ian Johnson, who at the time set a WAC record with 58 rushing touchdowns, which is still the second-best mark following 59 by Colin Kaepernick. Johnson amassed 4,183 yards in a Bronco uniform, second all-time in school history. He led the nation in rushing touchdowns (25) and scoring (152 points) in 2006. That year, the Broncos finished 13-0 including a win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
Prior to joining Boise State, Choate served as special teams coach at Eastern Illinois (2005) and Utah State (2003-04). In his lone season at Eastern Illinois, the Panthers finished first in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Choate spent 2002-04 at Utah State, first as a graduate assistant working with the defensive line then the safeties in 2003-04.
From 1997-2001, Choate was the head coach at Post Falls (Idaho) High School and also served as athletic director his final two years. He also coached at the Idaho high school level at Twin Falls and Challis.
Choate earned his bachelor’s degree from Montana Western in 1993, where he played linebacker. He and his wife, Janet, have one son, Jory, and a daughter, Jacy.
