Kramer no longer UI candidate

When the University of Idaho football coaching job opened up nearly a week ago, ex-Vandals coach John L. Smith and Montana State coach Mike Kramer were widely regarded as the leading candidates.

Neither will be Idaho’s next coach.

Kramer withdrew from consideration late Thursday night, informing Idaho athletic director Rob Spear of his decision after driving back to Bozeman following his interview in Moscow. Smith took himself out of the running Tuesday night.

“I just started to realize in talking with Rob and President (Tim) White that there was a distraction and that distraction was that event on Monday,” said Kramer, referring to the drug-related arrests of one current and two former Montana State football players. “And to me, that distraction was enough to cause concern and Idaho needs a coach that comes in with no distractions. That’s really all it boiled down to.

“I can understand their concern because they don’t know me. If there was a flicker of doubt, even if it was only perceived by me, that was enough for me.”

Idaho is known to have interviewed Smith, Kramer, Washington State defensive coordinator Robb Akey and former Michigan State assistant head coach Blaine Bennett. The latter three visited Idaho’s campus Thursday. It’s believed Idaho is still considering five candidates.

Several other names continue to circulate. San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh, an ex-NFL quarterback, apparently remains in contention. Harbaugh, 42, was expected to interview at Stanford on Friday. He previously interviewed at Tulane and North Texas.

It wasn’t clear if Harbaugh has already been on Idaho’s campus. His travel schedule likely depends on what happens at Stanford.

Art Valero, an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who was Idaho’s offensive coordinator from 1990-94, also might be under consideration.

Valero has been with the Buccaneers for five seasons. He is a former Boise State player and assistant coach and he has also assisted at Iowa State, Long Beach State, New Mexico, Utah State and Louisville, several of those stops working under Smith.

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, thought to be on Idaho’s list at one time, is no longer in the picture.

Bennett met with Idaho officials for 4-5 hours.

“I think it went well,” said Bennett, who played quarterback at Idaho before finishing up at Whitworth, where his dad “Shorty” was the head coach.

Bennett will spend Friday night at his parents’ home in Spokane before flying out for Michigan today.

“I think Rob’s goal is to have somebody in place by Tuesday or Wednesday,” Bennett said.

Kramer wouldn’t divulge if he was offered the job. “I think Rob would have to answer that question,” Kramer said.

Kramer said part of him still craves for the Idaho job.

“It’s a mountain there, but it’s doable,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest mountains, but I’m a mountaineer and I can see it. Whoever gets it, I wish them the best of luck.”

Akey, who has been on the road recruiting for WSU as well as interviewing in Moscow, hasn’t returned repeated phone messages.