Fresno State's new head football coach meets Bulldog boosters Wednesday afternoon. Tim DeRuyter is tasked not only with winning games, but also winning over Fresno State fans.
"I was impressed and he said the right things, of course I would expect that, but I think he did say the right things. He's very enthusiastic and I think his intention is good," said Al Deniz, a member of the Bulldog Foundation.
Deniz got to shake hands with the new hire at the Save Mart Center. He isn't surprised Fresno State went with an up-and-coming coach.
"I think they had to go this route. To get a high profile coach right now, the college isn't in that position," said Deniz.
But some boosters wonder how DeRuyter will recruit for Fresno State while fulfilling his interim head coaching duties at Texas A&M. The Aggies have a bowl game on New Years Eve.
"Let's face, it he's stepped in when they're going to need to move fast and get in touch with these kids." said longtime booster Harry Markus.
DeRuyter says he'll make it all work and promises to put fans back in Bulldog Stadium. He joked that his valley relatives will help boost sales.
"On a good note, ticket sales are going to go up with the 13 aunts and uncles and 70 or so cousins that I have," said DeRuyter.
Bulldog fans through thick and thin say they'll root for DeRuyter, and more importantly, the team.
"Our job is to fill the stadium and for the public to support the athletes," said Markus.
Fans will get their first look at the new team under DeRuyter when Fresno State hosts Weber State next fall.