Akey adds Axman to staff

The University of Idaho assistant coaching staff is up to five, including the addition of Steve Axman as offensive coordinator, head football coach Robb Akey said Wednesday.

Axman was Montana’s quarterbacks coach last season. Prior to that, he was wide receivers coach at Washington. In 2004, he served his second stint as offensive coordinator at UCLA. He was with UW from 1999-2002 as quarterbacks coach – the last two years as assistant head coach.

“I think it’s really big,” Akey said of the hiring of Axman. “He brings a wealth of experience to this staff. He has the ability to run an offense I want and handle that side of the ball.”

Axman was the head coach from 1990-97 at Northern Arizona where he hired Akey as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in 1995. Axman promoted Akey to defensive coordinator in 1996.

“He had a lot to do with the development of my career,” Akey said. “He gave me my first opportunity to be a defensive coordinator and I thought we worked really well together and had a lot of success together.”

Axman had a more lucrative offer to be UNLV’s offensive coordinator, but opted for Idaho. Axman, who has also coached at Minnesota, Maryland, Stanford, Arizona and Denver of the USFL, will probably be Idaho’s assistant head coach, Akey said.

Vandals quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith will remain on staff, Akey said. Smith’s duties haven’t been determined. Former Idaho linebacker Patrick Libey, who was a graduate assistant at Washington State, is the other new addition.

“I know Jonathan is an up-and-coming coach that’s done a great job,” Akey said. “He’s had a great early start to his career and I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the players regarding his strength on the staff.”

Libey was a three-year starter at Idaho who finished with 226 tackles. The Central Valley High graduate will probably coach in the secondary. Al Genatone is expected to coach linebackers and Johnny Nansen, a holdover from Nick Holt’s and Dennis Erickson’s staffs, will probably coach the defensive front.

“Patrick did a tremendous job for us at Washington State and he’s ready, no question in my mind,” Akey said. “And I think the fact that he’s a Vandal is very important. I want to build a family here.”

Akey is interviewing three defensive coordinator candidates this week. They are Colorado State defensive backs coach James Ward, former Minnesota linebackers coach Mark Criner and former Stanford linebackers/special teams coach Jeff Hammerschmidt. Former Idaho State coach Larry Lewis is no longer in the picture.

Jason Eck is the only other assistant under consideration to remain at Idaho. He is among “four or five” who will interview for offensive line coach, Akey said.

Akey has four full-time spots to fill. He hopes to have his staff assembled by early next week.

The Vandals will hold a team meeting Wednesday. Since Akey was hired two weeks ago, he has attempted to talk to every returning player by phone. Student-athletes have been out of town for the holiday break.

“I sense a lot of excitement among them,” Akey said. “I can’t wait to meet them. I’m sure they’re wondering what I’m all about. We’ll welcome them back home and get them started up in the classroom and with conditioning.”