UI Move Big Step For Yarno

George Yarno wants to be a head football coach some day. On Tuesday, he made a career move he hopes will help him reach that goal.

Yarno, an assistant at Washington State, has been hired as Idaho’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

“The opportunity to be a coordinator and be a big part of the decision-making process is something I need to do in order to make the next step to be a head coach,” said Yarno, a former Ferris High and Washington State standout. Yarno played 12 seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay (1979-84, 1985-87), Atlanta (1988) and Green Bay (1990).

“You have to be a coordinator and prove you can do those kinds of things,” said Yarno, who had coached WSU’s offensive line the last four years. “The opportunity to be a head coach seems to come along after that.”

New UI head coach Chris Tormey also announced the hiring of Paul Skansi, the former University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks receiver. Skansi, 34, will coach receivers. He was a volunteer coach at UW last year.

The Yarno and Tormey families have known each other “since before I was born,” Yarno said.

“Chris grew up with my brother (former UI star John Yarno) and they went to Idaho together,” George said. “His dad and my dad are real good friends.”

Tormey, who is busy recruiting before the Feb. 1 signing date, said Yarno “recruited eastern Washington and Idaho when he was at WSU and will do the same here.”

Of Skansi, Tormey said: “He will give us great name recognition in western Washington, which is one of the areas that he will recruit. He also brings a great background in the passing game.”

Yarno said Idaho’s traditionally powerful offense isn’t in need of an overhaul.

“Idaho and WSU have very similar offenses. They’re both one-back and the terminology is very similar,” said Yarno, who planned to leave on a recruiting trip on Tuesday night. “We’ll continue doing the things we’ve done in the past and probably add a few wrinkles.”

Yarno said it wasn’t easy leaving WSU. “I played at WSU and coached there and I’ve formed some great relationships there, but this is as good a situation as I can be in and it’s only 8 miles away.”

Tormey’s staff, with one appointment yet to be made, consists of: Nick Holt, defensive coordinator, linebackers; Yarno, offensive line, offensive coordinator; Jim Senter, defensive line; Skansi, wide receivers; Greg Olson, quarterbacks; Kasey Dunn, defensive backs (restricted earnings); and Todd Hoiness, running backs (restricted earnings).

“We’ve got a great group of coaches and class individuals,” Tormey said.