Stature and coaches, 1936–2017
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2013–2017
Paul Petrino Steady
Paul Petrino held the Vandals at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
−0.1 pts over 5 seasons · top 34% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Jim Hofher’s Buffalo run (2001–2005)
4th-best Idaho tenure of 4 by the numbers.
| Season | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 1-11 | 1-10 | 4-8 | 9-4 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #122 | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | — | Kris Cinkovich | Kris Cinkovich | Kris Cinkovich | Kris Cinkovich | |
| DC | — | Ronnie Lee | Mike Breske | Mike Breske | Mike Breske | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 19 | 36 | 43 | 57 | 16 | |
| Defense | 36 | 10 | 5 | 39 | 60 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 43.3 | 46.2 | 52.0 | 43.8 | 45.5 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 38.4 | 32.4 | 31.1 | 33.1 | 50.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 36.4 | 53.8 | 25.7 | 19.5 | 40.0 | |
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
DC: Ronnie Lee → Mike Breske · 2015
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Grows Interior line from high school
100%
#198 of 224 stints
Postseason detail2016: Beat Colorado State 61-50 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
−0.1
19-41
2004–2005
Nick Holt Short tenure
5-18
1996–1999
Chris Tormey Steady
Chris Tormey held Idaho at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
1st-best Idaho tenure of 4 by the numbers.
Followed Dee Andros (1962–1964).
| Season | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 6-5 | 5-6 | 9-3 | 7-4 | |
| Postseason | — | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1998: Beat Southern Miss 42-35 Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Ryan Phillips (1997), Mao Tosi (2000)
Regional Program I
27-18
1962–1964
Dee Andros Steady
Dee Andros held Idaho at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.
+3.1 pts over 3 seasons · top 19% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame run (2021–now)
2nd-best Idaho tenure of 4 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Chris Tormey (1996–1999).
+3.1
11-16-1
1947–1950
Dixie Howell Steady
Dixie Howell held the Vandals at Regional Program V for 4 seasons.
+1.8 pts over 4 seasons · top 25% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charles Huff’s Marshall run (2021–2024)
3rd-best Idaho tenure of 4 by the numbers.
+1.8
13-20-1