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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sources: Tormey in mix for Whitworth job

The search for the head football coach at Whitworth University could be over by the end of the week and one of three finalists is former Idaho and Nevada head coach Chris Tormey, two sources have confirmed. Tormey spent most of Wednesday on the Whitworth campus, according to two sources who asked not to be named. A source close to the search indicated that Whitworth officials want to make an offer to one of the three candidates by Friday. The sources would not identify the other two candidates. Tormey grew up in Spokane where he attended Gonzaga Prep and later played at the University of Idaho. He also coached at Idaho under Dennis Erickson and spent several years as an assistant coach at Washington. Tormey, 58, also served as head coach at Idaho from 1994-99 and Nevada from 2000-03. Most recently, Tormey served as defensive coordinator at Wyoming, where he was fired in October after his squad gave up 52 points to Colorado State and 51 points to San Jose State. Tormey is also a candidate for the head coaching job at Central Washington University, where he is scheduled for an interview next Wednesday. “If he’s offered both, he’d have to decide which way to go,” according to a source close to the search. “He’s been up front with us. He certainly seems interested” in the Whitworth job. That job became vacant last November with the resignation of John Tully, who had the most wins in Pirates football history and a 100-83 record over 19 seasons. The Pirates finished a disappointing 4-6 overall and 2-4 this past season in the Northwest Conference. Former Central Washington Coach Blaine Bennett, who was fired by CWU last August and is the son of former Whitworth coach Blaine “Shorty” Bennett, expressed interest but was not selected as a finalist for the Whitworth job.