Broncos boast new coach, same status
There are coaches in the Western Athletic Conference who have directed NFL teams, own Super Bowl rings, hoisted national championship trophies and one who is already in the College Football Hall of Fame.
And they’re all chasing a guy with a 0-0 mark as a collegiate head coach.
That would be Boise State’s Chris Petersen, a likeable 41-year-old who was promoted from offensive coordinator when Dan Hawkins departed for Colorado. BSU was favored by the coaches and media in preseason polls, with Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii considered the leading challengers.
“Looking around the coaches’ table (at the WAC meetings in July), it was impressive,” Petersen said. “There are a lot of guys in there that have won a lot of games. It was fun to be in there.”
The WAC boasts Hawaii’s June Jones, who was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons; San Jose State’s Dick Tomey, who ranks fifth among active coaches in NCAA I-A career wins; Nevada’s Chris Ault, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002; Idaho’s Dennis Erickson, who won two national championships at Miami and coached the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers; and Fresno State’s Pat Hill, who has experience as an NFL assistant coach and is often mentioned for NFL head-coaching vacancies.
“The amount of credibility these coaches bring to the WAC is tremendous,” commissioner Karl Benson said.
The roster of assistant coaches is impressive, too. Hawaii defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville was an NFL head coach. UI’s Gregg Smith has been on Erickson’s staffs since 1982; New Mexico State’s Woody Widenhofer won two Super Bowl rings as a defensive coordinator with Pittsburgh and ex-Steeler Roy Gerela coaches Aggies kickers.
It appears to be an opportune time to be in the WAC. The league has three guaranteed bowl berths, one more than last season. And the conference’s avenue into the BCS is easier with the addition of a fifth BCS bowl game and less stringent standards for BCS eligibility.
On the field, the bottom pack of San Jose State and 2005 WAC newcomers Idaho, Utah State and New Mexico State are trying to crack the top five. Several of those schools feature decorated coaches whose arrivals haven’t gone unnoticed by WAC rivals.
“This conference becomes more competitive for two reasons,” Hill said. “The travel is very difficult and some have it more difficult than others (Hawaii, Louisiana Tech). And I really study film, especially in the summer, and this league is as well-coached as any in the country.
“There are a lot of different schemes in this league. Thank God there isn’t an option team. You go from the spread offense to the run-and-shoot, Dennis is bringing in the three-receiver with one-back and you’ve got the power running of Fresno. I really think you can make a fast turnaround in this league – if you can stay healthy and get the right schedule.”
Boise State Broncos
2005: 9-4, 7-1 WAC, t-1st
Head coach: Chris Petersen, 0-0, 1st year, 1st overall
Returning starters: 20, 9 offense, 9 defense, punter, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Oct. 21, at Moscow
Outlook: The Broncos have the most returning starters in the league with 20, including quarterback Jared Zabransky, who is coming off a rollercoaster season. Petersen has stressed that Zabransky simply needs to run the offense and try not to win games by himself. Preseason WAC defensive player of the year Korey Hall anchors an underrated defense. The WAC schedule is favorable with home games against Hawaii, La Tech and Fresno State. If Zabransky has a big year, the Broncos should be on their way to a fifth straight WAC title.
Hawaii Warriors
2005: 5-7, 4-4 WAC, 5th
Head coach: June Jones, 53-37, 8th year, 8th collegiate season overall
Returning starters: 17, 9 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Oct. 28, in Honolulu
Outlook: Quarterback Colt Brennan, who led the nation in yards passing and touchdown passes last season, should be even more comfortable in Hawaii’s pass-happy system. The top four receivers from last year return. Hawaii should score a lot of points, but Glanville’s defensive unit needs to show improvement. Aside from shutting out Idaho last season, Hawaii yielded at least 38 points to eight opponents. The Warriors have eight home games, but they could stumble when they visit Fresno State and Boise State.
Fresno State Bulldogs
2005: 8-5, 6-2 WAC, t-3rd
Head coach: Pat Hill, 72-43, 10th year, 10th overall
Returning starters: 18, 8 offense, 8 defense, punter, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Nov. 18, in Fresno
Outlook: The Bulldogs appeared to be in line for the WAC title after thumping BSU last year, but wilted with four straight losses to end the season. Tom Brandstater, who spent three seasons as a backup behind Paul Pinegar, is the frontrunner for the quarterback job. FSU has abundant talent, but must replace running back Wendell Mathis (1,313 yards), cornerback Richard Marshall (Carolina’s second-round pick), safety Tyrone Culver (drafted by Green Bay) and tackle Garrett McIntyre, the conference defensive player of the year in 2005. FSU seems to have too many question marks to come out on top.
Nevada Wolf Pack
2005: 9-3, 7-1, t-1st
Head coach: Chris Ault, 177-73-1, 22nd season, 22nd overall
Returning starters: 15, 7 offense, 7 defense, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Nov. 4, in Moscow
Outlook: The Wolf Pack made a surprising run to a co-championship last season, but they’re on everybody’s radar this season. Jeff Rowe doesn’t get the publicity of Hawaii’s Brennan or BSU’s Zabransky, but he would move into the WAC’s all-time top 10 with a 3,000-yard season, ahead of the likes of Robbie Bosco, Steve Young and Trent Dilfer. Nevada’s optimism is bolstered by an improving defense. If the Pack wins their season opener at Fresno State, they should be in the hunt for another WAC title.
San Jose State Spartans
2005: 3-8, 2-6 WAC, t-6th
Head coach: Dick Tomey, 3-8, 2nd season; 161-118-7, 26th season overall
Returning starters: 12, 8 offense, 2 defense, punter, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Nov. 25, in Moscow
Outlook: Tomey was barely into his opening remarks at the WAC meetings when he told the assembled media, “We’re better.” He’s probably right. The Spartans return four starting offensive linemen and Yonus Davis averaged 6.7 yards per carry in 2005. Junior quarterback Sean Flynn has a chance to unseat returning starter Adam Tafralis. SJSU’s defense yielded 112 points less in 2005 than in 2004, but only two starters return. With a year in Tomey’s system and a seven-game home schedule, San Jose State has a legitimate chance at its first winning season 2000.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
2005: 7-4, 6-2 WAC, t-3rd
Head coach: Jack Bicknell, 40-42, 8th season, 8th overall
Returning starters: 11, 7 offense, 2 defense, punter, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Oct. 14, in Ruston
Outlook: The Bulldogs rode a stingy defense, which was fifth nationally in takeaways, to an upper-division finish in 2005, but that unit has just two returning starters. Another potential problem: Bicknell was relaxing on a pontoon boat on his last day of summer vacation when he was informed that defensive coordinator Randy Bates was leaving for Northwestern. Secondary coach George Darlington takes over as D.C. Zac Champion, who has eight career attempts, has been named the starting quarterback. A rugged early schedule could leave the Bulldogs rattled when WAC play begins.
Idaho Vandals
2005: 2-9, 2-6 WAC, t-6th
Head coach: Dennis Erickson, 145-56-1, 18th collegiate season overall
Returning starters: 17, 10 offense, 6 defense, punter
Outlook: The Vandals have the benefit of proven experience at quarterback, offensive line, running back and tight end. Wide receiver remains one of Erickson’s primary concerns, which could force him to be more ground-oriented than he’s been in the past. The defense is built on speed, but may encounter problems against physical opponents. The schedule is daunting, but Erickson’s arrival gives Idaho faithful hope that a turnaround is in the works.
Utah State Aggies
2005: 3-8, 2-6 WAC, t-6th
Head coach: Brent Guy, 3-8, 2nd season, 2nd overall
Returning starters: 15, 7 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker
When they play the Vandals: Sept. 30, in Logan
Outlook: The Aggies have the components to be a productive offense if their line comes together. Leon Jackson III is back at quarterback. Tony Pennyman and Kevin Robinson are dandy receivers as well as return specialists. J.C. transfer Marcus Cross could supply the ground game that was absent last season. The question mark is the defense, which is “still in diapers, if you look at that depth chart,” according to Guy. Only two seniors appear in the two-deep and the front four is largely untested. Defensive issues will probably keep Aggies in the bottom half of the conference.
New Mexico State Aggies
2005: 0-12, 0-8 WAC, 9th
Head coach: Hal Mumme, 0-12, 2nd season; 97-76-1, 16th season overall
Returning starters: 14, 8 offense, 6 defense
When they play the Vandals: Oct. 7, in Moscow
Outlook: NMSU was one of only two winless I-A teams last year and all but two of the losses were by double digits. Quarterback Chase Holbrook, who was with Mumme at Southeastern Louisiana, should boost the passing attack. The receiving unit absorbed a setback when Jahmeel Hobson was ruled academically ineligible and Miami (Fla.) transfer Akieem Jolla suffered a knee injury that could sideline him for the first two games. The defense gave up 38.7 points per game last season and suffered a tragic loss in July when starting middle linebacker Shana Leaupepe was killed in a drive-by shooting in California. The Aggies have seven home games, but few expect them to be a factor in the WAC after going winless last season.