Tormey Interviews At UW Vandals Coach Believed First To Talk With Huskies Officials

University of Idaho football coach Chris Tormey interviewed Monday for a similar position at the University of Washington, according to sources in Moscow and Seattle.

Tormey is believed to be the first candidate interviewed by UW athletic director Barbara Hedges and his interview could stretch into today. Washington reportedly is also interested in Toledo head coach Gary Pinkel and possibly others.

UW is replacing Jim Lambright, fired by Hedges last Wednesday, the same day Tormey’s Vandals defeated Southern Mississippi in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Tormey was in Seattle on a recruiting trip that was scheduled before Lambright was fired. Tormey hasn’t returned phone messages for two days.

If his interview at UW is anything like his interview at Idaho, he’ll be thoroughly prepared.

In 1995, Tormey presented handouts to UI officials, detailing everything from coaching philosophies to how he would deal with the media. Idaho officials were impressed with Tormey’s preparedness.

“Even without that kind of presentation, just the kind of guy he is… his integrity and his honesty are impressive,” then-UI athletic director Pete Liske said at the time.

It’s possible Tormey has been told to withhold comment on his interview by UW officials, or perhaps he’s worried commenting might negatively impact Vandals’ recruiting while he’s in the Seattle area.

Pinkel appears next to interview.

“I think it’ll be sometime this week, probably Wednesday or Thursday,” said Liske, who left UI to become Toledo’s A.D. “He’s still here (Monday).”

Liske said Washington couldn’t go wrong with either Pinkel or Tormey.

“They’re both great guys, super human beings and they run really organized programs with a lot of integrity,” Liske said. “They’re the cream of the crop.”

Pinkel has a three-year contract - the final year rolls over each year - and is paid at or near the top of the salary scale for Mid-American Conference coaches, Liske said.

Tormey has a 26-19 record in four seasons. Pinkel is 57-31-3 in eight seasons at Toledo. Riley, who is being seriously courted by NFL teams as well as UW, is 8-14 in two seasons at Oregon State.