Colorado State University Athletics
Football
Best, Bill
Bill Best
- Title:
- Offensive Line / Run-Game Coordinator
- Email:
- ramfootball@colostate.edu
Bill Best joined Jay Norvell's initial staff in January 2022 and coaches the offensive line. In addition to overseeing the Rams Moving Co., Norvell elevated Best to add Run-Game Coordinator prior to the 2025 season.
Since coming to Fort Collins, Best has overhauled an undersized linemen room which were nearly the worst unit in the country in sacks allowed in 2022. Since, the Rams have drastically improved, finishing the 2024 season in the top 5 in the country and the top 20 in 2023 in the category. This improvement was lead by All-American center Jacob Gardner, who was a five-year starter dating back to Nevada. The three-time captain started every game he played in - 58 consecutive games. Gardner finished his career earning All-American honors from multiple outlets and was named first-team All-Mountain West - the first offensive lineman for CSU since 2017.
Best had his work cutout in his first season with the Rams, trying to guide through a series of injuries, leading to four different centers starting during the 2022 season including a walk-on true freshman. The unit had a different staring five in each of the first five weeks, using six different combinations throughout the season.
In two seasons at Nevada, his offensive line earned nine All-Mountain West honors, ranging from second team to honorable mention. In 2021, five of his linemen were recognized for protecting two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Carson Strong, enabling the Wolf Pack to finish fourth nationally in passing offense.
After beginning his coaching career at the high school level, Best has spent the bulk of his college career in Texas, beginning at the junior college level in 2004 with stops at West Texas A&M, Central Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin and Rice.
He coached tight ends at Rice in 2018 and 2019 after a strong four-year run at SFA with the Lumberjacks. While at Nacogdoches, SFA averaged 435 yards per game in 2016 and 2017, including a rushing offense that put up more than 200 yards a game in 2017. The Lumberjacks’ offensive line also paved the way for a 1,600-yard rusher during Best’s first season in 2014.
Prior to SFA, Best spent the previous two seasons as the offensive line coach for Central Arkansas and spent six seasons at West Texas A&M.
Best spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Ranger College after beginning his coaching career at the high school level in Louisiana.
Personal Information
Hometown:Â Rayville, La.
Family: Wife – Jennifer / Children – Hannah, Brady, James
Education:Â Louisiana-Monroe, 2001 (Bachelor's) / West Texas A&M, 2007 (Masters)
Birthday:Â January 29
Best Experience
2022-Present: Colorado State (Offensive Line, 2022-24; Run-Game Coordinator / Offensive Line, 2025)
2020-21: Nevada (Offensive Line)
2018-19: Rice (Tight Ends)
2014-17: Stephen F. Austin (Run-Game Coordinator / Offensive Line)
2012-13: Central Arkansas (Offensive Line)
2006-11: West Texas A&M (Offensive Line, 2006-08; Associate Head Coach / Offensive Line, 2008-10; Associate Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line, 2011)
2004-05: Ranger College (Offensive Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator)
2002-03: Farmerville HS (Offensive Coordinator)
2001: Delhi HSÂ (Offensive Line)
Playing Career (Offensive Line)
College: Millsaps College (1997); Louisiana-Monroe (1998-2000)
Since coming to Fort Collins, Best has overhauled an undersized linemen room which were nearly the worst unit in the country in sacks allowed in 2022. Since, the Rams have drastically improved, finishing the 2024 season in the top 5 in the country and the top 20 in 2023 in the category. This improvement was lead by All-American center Jacob Gardner, who was a five-year starter dating back to Nevada. The three-time captain started every game he played in - 58 consecutive games. Gardner finished his career earning All-American honors from multiple outlets and was named first-team All-Mountain West - the first offensive lineman for CSU since 2017.
Best had his work cutout in his first season with the Rams, trying to guide through a series of injuries, leading to four different centers starting during the 2022 season including a walk-on true freshman. The unit had a different staring five in each of the first five weeks, using six different combinations throughout the season.
In two seasons at Nevada, his offensive line earned nine All-Mountain West honors, ranging from second team to honorable mention. In 2021, five of his linemen were recognized for protecting two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Carson Strong, enabling the Wolf Pack to finish fourth nationally in passing offense.
After beginning his coaching career at the high school level, Best has spent the bulk of his college career in Texas, beginning at the junior college level in 2004 with stops at West Texas A&M, Central Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin and Rice.
He coached tight ends at Rice in 2018 and 2019 after a strong four-year run at SFA with the Lumberjacks. While at Nacogdoches, SFA averaged 435 yards per game in 2016 and 2017, including a rushing offense that put up more than 200 yards a game in 2017. The Lumberjacks’ offensive line also paved the way for a 1,600-yard rusher during Best’s first season in 2014.
Prior to SFA, Best spent the previous two seasons as the offensive line coach for Central Arkansas and spent six seasons at West Texas A&M.
Best spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Ranger College after beginning his coaching career at the high school level in Louisiana.
Personal Information
Hometown:Â Rayville, La.
Family: Wife – Jennifer / Children – Hannah, Brady, James
Education:Â Louisiana-Monroe, 2001 (Bachelor's) / West Texas A&M, 2007 (Masters)
Birthday:Â January 29
Best Experience
2022-Present: Colorado State (Offensive Line, 2022-24; Run-Game Coordinator / Offensive Line, 2025)
2020-21: Nevada (Offensive Line)
2018-19: Rice (Tight Ends)
2014-17: Stephen F. Austin (Run-Game Coordinator / Offensive Line)
2012-13: Central Arkansas (Offensive Line)
2006-11: West Texas A&M (Offensive Line, 2006-08; Associate Head Coach / Offensive Line, 2008-10; Associate Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line, 2011)
2004-05: Ranger College (Offensive Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator)
2002-03: Farmerville HS (Offensive Coordinator)
2001: Delhi HSÂ (Offensive Line)
Playing Career (Offensive Line)
College: Millsaps College (1997); Louisiana-Monroe (1998-2000)
Colorado State Football: Ellis (L) and Rogers (R) Postgame (Northern Colorado, 2025)
Saturday, September 06
Colorado State Football: Avant (L) and Fowler-Nicolosi (R) Postgame (Northern Colorado, 2025)
Saturday, September 06
Colorado State Football: Jay Norvell Weekly Press Conference - Week 2 (2025)
Monday, September 01
Colorado State Football: Long (L) and Warren (R) Postgame (Washington, 2025)
Sunday, August 31
