REPORTS: Former WSU Defensive coordinator taking same position at Idaho, Ronnie Lee out
The Idaho football team only held opposing offenses to under 34 points once, and it's apparently meant a change at defensive coordinator for the Vandals.
Coaching Carousel website Footballscoop.com first reported that Ronnie Lee would not be returning to Idaho this season. It then Tweeted that they expected former Washington State defensive coordinator Mike Breske to take the job.
The Moscow-Pullman Daily News followed up this report, noting that Breske was present at Saturday's women's basketball game at the Cowan Spectrum wearing Vandals gear.
Breske was dismissed as WSU's DC following the Cougar's 31-13 loss in the Apple Cup. Washington State lost six of its final seven games, allowing at least 31 points in each game.
Breske came to the Palouse in 2012 when Mike Leach was hired to replace Paul Wulff. He installed an aggressive, blitzing style of defense that was meant to keep up with the Air Raid offense. It didn't quite materialize that way, although he did help the Cougs get to their first bowl game since 2003 with the 2013 New Mexico Bowl berth.
He also notched Wazzu's first shutout since 2003, ironically enough in a 42-0 win against the Vandals.
Also reported to be joining the program is Aric Williams to coach defensive backs. Williams spent the last five seasons coaching cornerbacks at Big Sky power Montana. Kenny Holmes has previously been reported by Footballscoop, and today by the D-News, to be joining Idaho from the University of San Diego to coach the defensive line.
The two will replace Ashley Ambrose, who left to coach defensive backs at Texas State, and Byron Hardmon who left to coach the defensive line at Troy.
Idaho head coach Paul Petrino has now gone through assistant shuffles each of the last two seasons at Idaho. Linebackers coach Mike Anderson and defensive line coach Patrick Libey each left after spring practice in 2013. Offensive line coach Jon Carvin departed the program after the 2013 season, as did cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens.
The University of Idaho has not made official the departure of Lee nor the hires of Breske, Williams and Holmes as of yet.
We'll have more as it becomes available.
