The worst kept secret in Moscow is now official. Mike Breske has been named Idaho's defensive coordinator after spending the spring as a volunteer, athletic director Rob Spear told the Spokesman-Review. He will also coach the safeties. 

Breske will make $130,000 in 2015. Per State Board of Education policy, all contracts for assistants are one-year contracts. 

Idaho made it official in a press release Wednesday afternoon. 

“Coach Breske has been a coordinator for more than 20 years and he’s won three national championships,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “ ... We are excited to have him lead the Vandal defense. He will do a great a job of leading and teaching.”

Breske was brought on by Idaho in the spring after being fired at Washington State after three seasons as defensive coordinator under Mike Leach. He was technically a volunteer during the spring, as Washington State was still paying him the money it owed him. 

He replaces Ronnie Lee, who departed after the 2014 season. 

Breske implemented his 3-4 defense with the Vandals this spring, built around Ryan Edwards at nose tackle and athletic defensive end Quinton Bradley as a 3-technique defensive end over the opposing offensive guard. The biggest difference for the Vandals' defense was the introduction of the BUCK linebacker, the standing pass rusher. Junior college transfer Leonard Hazewood filled in that role.

Breske will be tasked with turning around a defense which ranked second to last in FBS in yards per play (6.93) and dead last in FBS in yards per pass attempt at 9.45. 

---

---