Vandals Refine Their Coaching List Several Prospects Make Intentions Known About Job

Add Denny Schuler to the list of potential candidates to fill Idaho’s football coaching vacancy.

Probably scratch Gregg Smith’s name.

Idaho athletic director Pete Liske on Wednesday was trying to make contact with Schuler, Cal’s offensive coordinator who has worked for two seasons under former UI coach Keith Gilbertson.

Meanwhile, Smith, an ex-UI assistant now at Miami with Dennis Erickson, said he won’t pursue the job because he’s content with the Hurricanes.

“If they wanted to call and talk that’s fine, but I’m not really looking,” Smith said. “It sounds like they’ve got their eye on some other people.”

The Vandals are searching for a replacement for John L. Smith, who went to Utah State on Tuesday.

Art Valero, John L. Smith’s offensive coordinator at Idaho, said he talked by phone with Liske late Tuesday night and he will probably interview later this week. Valero accompanied Smith to Logan, Utah, but has Smith’s blessing to try for the Vandals’ job.

Washington assistants Chris Tormey and Scott Linehan, both ex-UI players and coaches, appear almost certain to interview. Cal assistant Tim Lappano, another former Vandal player, expects to meet with Liske on Friday.

“I’ve got a shot, that’s all I can ask for,” Lappano said.

Former UI assistant Dan Cozzetto, offensive coordinator at Arizona State, has expressed interest. Former UI offensive coordinator Bob Petrino, an assistant at Nevada, is believed to be on Idaho’s list.

Valero said he decided to try for the Vandals’ job after his discussion with Liske. “Pete was very, very positive and I think I’ll have a chance to visit with him,” Valero said.

“I learned a lot from the basketball situation,” Valero added, referring to two years ago when then-UI assistant Hugh Watson was involved in a lengthy search but was passed over for the head coaching job. “I didn’t want a Watson situation and stick around and then not have anything.”

Schuler, 48, has assisted at Pac-10 schools (Oregon, Washington and two stints at Cal), the Big Sky’s Idaho State and Weber State, and Utah State.

The selection of a coach comes at a critical time after the departure of the popular Smith. The Vandals have committed to joining the Big West Conference and imperative to earning NCAA Division I-A status is a dramatic rise in UI’s attendance.

The new coach will probably be a key figure in game promotions and UI’s ability to sell tickets.

Jim Senter has decided to stay at Idaho and try to catch on with the incoming coach. He said no recruiting visits are scheduled this weekend because UI students are still on holiday break. Recruits are expected to visit the following weekend.