Boise State hires a new running backs coach who spent last year at a conference foe

The Boise State football team has its new running backs coach.

The Broncos have hired former Fresno State running backs coach James Montgomery, Boise State head coach Andy Avalos announced Tuesday. Montgomery also will serve as the Broncos’ recruiting coordinator.

Montgomery is expected to sign a two-year deal that will pay him $195,000 this year and $215,000 next year, according to his material term sheet.

“James has a history of developing players and his knowledge of football goes well beyond the running backs position,” Avalos said in a statement. “His ability to connect with the players and be a difference maker in recruiting will be just as important.”

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Montgomery replaces Keith Bhonapha, who resigned earlier this month to become running backs coach and assistant head coach at Oregon State. Bhonapha was scheduled to make $320,000 this year.

Montgomery, a native of Sacramento, spent last season mentoring Fresno State running back Jordan Mims, who finished the year with 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.

Montgomery began his coaching career as a quality control assistant at Weber State in 2013. He went on to spend six seasons at Sacramento State, serving first as running backs coach and then adding the title of recruiting coordinator in 2018. He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Cal Poly.