Mr. Excitement

BOISE – One sure way the media gets under an athlete’s skin is to ask the same question over and over. But that scenario didn’t bother University of Idaho quarterback Steve Wichman or linebacker David Vobora on Wednesday because the topic was head coach Dennis Erickson.

The two Vandals were asked variations of “what it’s like to be coached by Erickson” perhaps 40 times in a one-hour session with the media.

“I figured I was going to get asked those questions and I love it,” Wichman said. “The biggest change is the confidence he brings. That, and the fact that we see more boosters now. It’s like we have a whole new support team.”

Said Vobora: “Whether I’m at the grocery store or the (Kibbie) Dome or at the mall, there’s always someone coming up to me and saying, ‘We’re so excited for your season, we haven’t had season tickets in 10 years but we bought them again with Coach Erickson coming back.’ Everywhere you go there’s just a buzz, an enthusiasm floating around town.”

And for several hours Wednesday, it floated around Boise at the WAC football media preview meetings, where the new head coach who inherited a 2-9 team was often the focus of discussions. Coach after coach commented on Erickson’s return to Moscow, and unlike Idaho’s players, they sometimes did so without being prompted.

“I think Dennis, not having a full year of recruiting, probably has to do it with what’s on campus right now,” Hawaii’s June Jones said, “but I know he’ll get the guys lined up in his system and play hard. Once he gets his guys where he needs them, he’ll certainly have a team to be reckoned with.”

“He’s going to bring a great belief to his players,” Fresno State’s Pat Hill said. “There will be a big turnaround at Idaho this year.”

“Having coaches like that (Erickson, Hill, and Jones) helps us because of the name recognition,” Utah State’s Brent Guy said. “They don’t know who Brent Guy is, but they know who Dennis Erickson is. We need to have that national presence and recognition as a conference.”

When it was Erickson’s turn at the podium, he sounded a little like Chuck Knox. Erickson is renowned for his work with quarterbacks and the passing game, but Idaho has issues at receiver, which means he’ll probably lean more on the running game and tight ends.

“My philosophy is to spread out defenses and let it fly,” said Erickson, mentioning the possibility of sets with two backs and two tight ends. “Right now where we’re at, we’re not going to be able to do that. You have to play to your strengths.”

Erickson called Wichman a strong-armed, accurate passer. Guard Jade Tadvick is the cornerstone of the line and has a chance to play on Sundays, Erickson said. A go-to receiver hasn’t emerged, but Erickson likes the depth at tight end and running back, a position bolstered by J.C. transfer Brian Flowers.

The defense has good speed, but will be undersized. The unit has been fairly cohesive, in part because the scheme hasn’t changed. Erickson retained the defensive assistants that served under ex-coach Nick Holt.

Erickson’s biggest defensive concern is at safety where the depth is paper thin. Idaho might be able to play press coverage on the outside with cornerbacks Reggie Jones and J.C. transfer Stanley Franks.

“In our 7-on-7 drills this summer, I will not throw to Franks’ side,” Wichman said. “He’s good.”

Erickson has considerable experience guiding unheralded programs to unprecedented success, including his first tenure at Idaho from 1982-85, but the current Vandals won’t be a quick fix.

“I was brought in to obviously win some games, no question, but I was also brought in to look at the long-term of our program, recruiting and building facilities,” he said. “We need to do some things facility-wise to catch up with other people in this league. We’re doing that and we’re making a lot of progress as far as (plans to) knock out the west end and build a basketball facility and making the Dome a bigger place. Those are all plans that hopefully will happen in the next two to three years.

“I’m convinced for us to be competitive in this league we have to do those things. So that was the other reason (Erickson was hired). I think we can go out and raise funds to do those types of things. My goal is for the program to be competitive every year 5 or 6 years down the road and get people in the stands and make Idaho football how it used to be.”