Choate named Nevada football coach

From news services 

RENO, Nev. — Jeff Choate, former Post Falls High football coach and athletic director, and former St. Maries High star, was named the 28th head football coach at Nevada, athletic director Stephanie Rempe announced Monday.

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.

Choate is expected to remain with Texas during the College Football Playoffs, according to reports.

"Becoming the head coach at an FBS program has always been my dream," Choate said. "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.

"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 (Texas AD) Chris Del Conte and (Texas head coach) Steve Sarkisian for their support and encouragement, as I take this next step in my journey."

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 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," Rempe said. "Whether as a head coach or an assistant, Jeff has continually developed programs and student athletes into champions throughout his career."

"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," Nevada president Brian Sandoval.

In his final season at Montana State in 2019, the Bobcats finished 11-4, winning six of their 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, falling to North Dakota State in in the second round of the playoffs to finish 8-5. 

In 2013, Choate served as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Florida. He was linebackers coach at Washington State in 2012. 

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).

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 High, 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.