IDAHO FOOTBALL

The reason I posted Dirk Koetter's dismissal yesterday at ASU is simple: The names that will pop up to replace him.

On the list the Arizona Republic put together are two names with local ties: former longtime Washington State and current UTEP coach Mike Price and – I know you're not surprised – current Vandal coach Dennis Erickson.

Yes, Erickson's on a coaching vacancy list. And will probably be mentioned in every job opening that comes up. That's the price you pay for hiring a coach that hasn't stayed anywhere long enough to pay of a car loan, let alone a mortgage.

But will the rumors turn into fact? Probably not. Not after a 4-8 year that ended with five consecutive losses. But after a year of recruiting and the seemingly inevitable winning season next year, the offers will carry more weight – and money.

For more on the Vandals, check Jim Meehan's blog.