SDSU Football Adds Donnel Pumphrey to Coaching Staff
Pumphrey was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as a fourth round draft pick in 2017.
Former San Diego State football great and the NCAA's all-time leading rusher Donnel Pumphrey has joined the staff as a graduate assistant coach, head coach Brady Hoke announced Wednesday. Pumphrey will assist with the cornerbacks.
Pumphrey starred with the Aztecs from 2013-16, helping the program to a 37-17 record, back-to-back Mountain West titles (2015-16) and four bowl appearances, while playing in all 54 games over that span. Pumphrey finished his career with a NCAA FBS-best 6,405 rushing yards, while also leaving college ranked fifth in all-purpose yards (7,515), tied for eighth in overall touchdowns (67) and ninth in rushing touchdowns (62).
Pumphrey, a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year (2015-16), three-time first-team all-MW pick (2014-16) and three-time SDSU most valuable player (2014-16), also finished his career as the only player in NCAA FBS history with at least 5,000 rushing yards (or 6,000 yards) and 1,000 receiving yards. He also has San Diego State career records in all-purpose yards (7,515), 100-yard rushing games (33), overall touchdowns (67), rushing touchdowns (62), overall points (402) and rushing attempts (1,059).
As a senior in 2016, Pumphrey rushed for a then school-record 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to finishing in a tie for 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting. Pumphrey was a finalist for the Doak Walk Award (top running back), semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (offensive player of the year) and Walter Camp Player of the Year, first-team All-America selection by Walter Camp and Sports Illustrated, and a second-team All-America pick by Associated Press, AFCA, USA Today and The Sporting News.
Pumphrey was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
SDSU finished with a school-record 12 victories last season, one of only 10 programs with at least 12 wins. Only four teams had more victories than San Diego State (12-2), including national champion Georgia, and CFP teams Alabama and Cincinnati. The Aztecs played five teams who reached double-digit victories in 2021, securing wins over Pac-12 Champion/Rose Bowl participant Utah (10-4), UTSA (12-2) and Air Force (10-3).
SDSU, which played all 14 of its games away from its own market, including eight "home games" two hours from campus at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, finished the 2021 season ranked 25th in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. It was the third time in program history San Diego State made the final AP Top 25 poll (also 1977 (16th) and 2016 (25th)). The Aztecs were also ranked in every CFP poll in 2021.
SDSU opens Snapdragon Stadium against Arizona on Sept. 3, and also has home games against Idaho State (Sept. 10), Toledo (Sept. 24), Hawai'i (Oct. 8), UNLV (Nov. 5), San Jose State (Nov. 12) and Air Force (Nov. 26). The Aztec contest against UNLV will be SDSU's annual homecoming game.
San Diego State football season tickets are still on sale. Many options are available and a virtual 3D seat map of Snapdragon Stadium allows fans to take a tour of the seats before reserving season tickets. Members will have several benefits such as priority access to on-site parking and the flexibility to resell or donate any games they're unable to attend. For season-ticket information or to secure tickets, submit a Ticket Interest Form, call (619) 283-7378 or email [email protected].
Aztec football single-game tickets for all seven 2022 Aztec home games for the inaugural season at Snapdragon Stadium will go on sale in August. As an exclusive member benefit, football season-ticket holders can purchase the single-game tickets on Aug. 8, while all remaining Aztec Club members can purchase on Aug. 12. Tickets for the general public will be available on Aug. 15.
Aztec football parking will soon be available on a season basis for as low as $175 (or $25 per game). Any remaining passes will be offered for single-game purchase beginning Aug. 8
Student tickets will once again be free and can be claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis the week of each home game. More information for student tickets can be found at GoAztecs.com/StudentTickets.
