VANDALS UPDATED: 9:55 A.M.

Idaho athletic director Rob Spear is moving quickly to replace the departed Dennis Erickson (links on his arrival in Phoenix below). He made two phone calls we know of, to former Idaho – among other places – coach John L. Smith and to Montana State coach – and former UI player – Mike Kramer.

Jim Meehan relates all you need to know about this in his story in today's S-R and on his blog.

Reading what Jim had to write, I was struck how much Smith sounded like Erickson, 2005 edition. Now that shouldn't disqualify the man – it's not his fault what happened in the past couple weeks – but it does give one pause.

The thing that worries me is the Vandals are going to pass over the guy who wants the job because of what it is, not for what it could lead to (Kramer) and give it to someone who, when tempted by a big-time school in a big-time conference, will leave as quickly as possible (not Kramer).

And, by then, the right guy (Kramer) will have given up.

We'll see.

From the Montana State side, there is consternation, as this Great Falls Tribune story shows. The Bobcats are worried about losing a coach that's led them to three Big Sky titles and multiple NCAA berths.

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Erickson was introduced to the Phoenix-area media Monday and the stories revolved around his ability to win and graduate players. OK, so the last one has never seemed to be that important before, but it must be now.

Here is an Arizona Republic story, a column about how Erickson beat out old buddy Mike Price for the job and a sidebar gauging the reaction of ASU's president.

Here is the East Valley Tribune's main story and six questions concerning the hire.

UPDATE: Bud Withers of the Seattle Times weighs in on Erickson's new address - and on his past. Also, the P-I did a point-counterpoint on Erickson, with Ted Miller saying he did the right thing and Jim Moore raking him over the coals.

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