End of an era by Chadd Cripe

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COACH PETE THE END OF AN ERA

Petersen leaves BSU quickly, quietly KYLE GREEN / kgreen@idahostatesman.com

Stuffed animals, balloons and notes form a memorial to Daniel Cook at the intersection of Deer Flat and Happy Valley roads west of Kuna. Daniel, 11, was killed when a dump truck crashed into the right rear side of his school bus Thursday morning.

Bus crash deals second blow to Kuna

JOE JASZEWSKI / Idaho Statesman file

Boise State football coach Chris Petersen is walking away from the Broncos after the worst of his eight seasons as head coach. The Broncos are 8-4. It is the first time Petersen lost more than two regular-season games in one season.

In eight seasons as head football coach, the Broncos’ leader carried the program to unprecedented heights, including two Fiesta Bowl wins IN SPORTS

One of the most charming eras in college football history — one that introduced Boise and its university to the world — came to a sudden end Friday morning. Boise State coach Chris Petersen, courted for years by bigger programs with more prestige and fatter wallets, accepted an offer to become the coach at the University of Washington in Seattle. “All the rumors and it’s finally happened,” senior punter Trevor Harman said. “It’s sad, it really is.” Petersen exits Boise State with a 92-12 record in eight seasons — an 88.5 winning percentage that would be a national record if he had the 10 years of experience needed to qualify. He led the Broncos to five conference championships, five bowl victories, three undefeated regular seasons and four top 10 seasons. He also turned himself, his program, his city and his team’s funky blue turf into national media darlings. “He has been Boise’s greatest See PETERSEN, A6

Æ Murphy: AD Mark Coyle faces legacy-defining hire. S1 Æ Former Boise State coach Skip Hall helped broker deal. S2 Æ Who’s next? Former BSU coaches in the mix. S3 Æ Reaction from Bronco Nation. S3

A LETTER TO WASHINGTON

Seattle doesn’t know how lucky it is to get Coach Pete. OPINIONS, A16

HOW PETERSEN BUILT ! THE 2006 BRONCOS IdahoStatesman.com

Excerpt from our “Blue Magic” book.

The driver of a dump truck that slammed into a school bus carrying 11-yearold Daniel Cook implied Friday that he is not to blame for the Thursday morning crash. During a short conversation at his home east of

BY DINA CAPPIELLO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

,Idaho Statesman file

Coach Pete” run/walk event raised money for the school’s general scholarship fund. The run/walk ended at Bronco Stadium and routinely attracted more than 2,000 participants.

See CRASH, A5

Feds decide wind turbines may kill eagles The energy generators will be able to harm the birds with impunity for up to 30 years.

APRIL 2011 Petersen was an ambassador for Boise State. His annual “Beat

Nampa, Charles Samuel Derby, 33, said he was distraught over the wreck at the intersection of Deer Flat and Happy Valley roads five miles west of Kuna. Daniel died at the scene, while four other children and the bus driver were injured. “You didn’t have to deal with someone blowing through a stop sign,” Derby said. He declined further comment. Derby was headed north on Happy Valley about 7:50 a.m. when his 1974 Mack

Associated Press earlier this year documented the illegal killing of eagles around wind farms, the Obama administration’s reluctance to prosecute such cases and its willingness to help keep the scope of the eagle deaths secret. President Barack Obama has championed the pollution-free energy, nearly doubling America’s wind power in his first term as a way to tackle global warming.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration announced a new rule Friday designed to address environmental consequences that stand in the way of the nation’s wind energy rush: the dozens of bald and golden eagles being killed each See EAGLES, A15 year by the giant, spinning blades of wind turbines. WHEN EAGLES TANGLE An investigation by The WITH TURBINES A15

72ND ANNIVERSARY OF ‘DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY’

’JAPANESE AIRPLANES TODAY ATTACKED AMERICAN BASES’ AT PEARL HARBOR

Breaking the news On Dec. 7, 1941,

Virginia Seaman Yesenia Munoz of

Eugene Burns, The Associated Press chief of bureau in Honolulu, couldn’t get out news of the early morning attack because the military had taken control of communication lines. So news came from AP’s Washington office, based on word from President Roosevelt’s press secretary. The AP has republished those alerts; read them at IdahoStatesman.com. Other Pearl Harbor events:

Houston will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns on Saturday. San Francisco A new museum at the Presidio tells the story of a top-secret U.S. Army program to train JapaneseAmericans as interpreters and intelligence personnel — started five weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

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INSIDE TODAY “I worry a lot more about accidents in the car.” MADI CARLSON of Seattle, who rides around the city on her cargo bike with her children

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COACH PETE THE END OF AN ERA

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KATHERINE JONES / Idaho Statesman file

AUGUST 2003 Petersen made his mark as offensive coordinator under then-coach Dan Hawkins. Since 2001, when Petersen arrived in Boise, the Broncos are the nation’s highest-scoring team (40.0 points per game).

PETERSEN CONTINUED FROM A1

ambassador,” Mayor Dave Bieter said. Petersen’s departure was a major news event with few details. None of the key figures — Petersen, Boise State school officials, Washington school officials — spoke to the media Friday, and Petersen did not even issue a statement. The coach is scheduled to meet the Seattle media Monday and likely will speak to the Boise-area media sometime after that. Petersen, 49, met with Washington Athletic Director Scott Woodward at a Boise hotel for about 90 minutes late Thursday night. He agreed to terms of a deal but asked to go home, speak to his wife, Barb, and sleep on the offer, according to a story posted on the Huskies’

official website. Petersen called to accept the job Friday morning and met with the Broncos. He will not coach BSU in its bowl game. “Coach Petersen’s success and record are extraordinary, but even more impressive is the man himself,” Woodward said in a statement. “His integrity, work ethic and character make him an outstanding fit and leader of our student-athletes at UW. We are thrilled and proud to call Coach Petersen a Husky.” The sentiment was reversed in Boise — more shock and sadness — but the words were similar. The characteristics that made Petersen so appealing to Washington — and to many other schools, including USC earlier this week — are the same ones that made him so popular with players, boosters, fans and others in the Boise community.

DARIN OSWALD / Idaho Statesman file

OCTOBER 2003 Petersen’s boys — Sam, left, and Jack — grew up in Boise. Sam, a cancer survivor, is in the

ninth grade. Jack is a college student at Santa Clara. “It has been an awesome thing,” Petersen said this summer of having Jack attend first through 12th grades in Boise. “You can also make the case (that) maybe we sheltered our kids too much by not getting them to different places. But ... to be able to have some stability, we’ve been lucky.” “I really was shocked,” said Torene Bonner, the CEO of MakeA-Wish Idaho, which partnered with the Petersen family to bring three children to the blue turf for their wishes in the past four years. “It’s going to be a big loss for the whole entire community. All the kids (with wishes) were from elsewhere, who wanted to come to Boise. That reputation of the football team really transcends our community and really reaches out to the entire U.S.”

THE PETERSEN ERA

Petersen took over a Boise State program on the rise. The Broncos won conference titles in 1999 and 2000 in the Big West, and Petersen arrived as offensive coordinator under Dan Hawkins when the program moved to the WAC in 2001.

Idaho Statesman file

DECEMBER 2011 Quarterback Kellen Moore led the Broncos to 50 wins (and just three losses) in four seasons from 2008 to 2011. When Moore heard Friday’s news: “I said, ‘This is finally happening.’ It’s kind of crazy.”

Hawkins and Petersen led the team to four straight conference titles and a 53-11 record. After Hawkins left, Petersen and the staff he assembled in 2006 transformed the Broncos from dominant in the low-profile WAC to fringe contenders for the national championship. In addition to the two Fiesta Bowls, they came close to appearing in four more Bowl Championship Series games. They were left out because of Utah’s higher ranking in 2008, an overtime loss at Nevada in 2010, a late collapse against TCU in 2011, and a special teams meltdown in 2012 against San Diego State. Under Petersen, the Broncos were 8-6 against ranked opponents (2-8 previously) and 9-3 against teams from the power conferences (2-16 previously). “Everything was in place,” said quarterback Jared Zabransky, the starter from 2004 to 2006. “(Petersen) was the last piece of the puzzle.” Petersen was known for his tactics on offense but his lasting imprint was in other areas. Rival coaches said the difference between the Hawkins Broncos and the Petersen Broncos was the defense. And players appreciated the heavy emphasis on character, which led to a dizzying number of suspensions and some of the best academic results in the country. Of the 16 seniors on the Broncos’ current roster, 15 will have their degrees by the end of the month. The other — an electrical engineering major — needs one more semester. Boise State has ranked second in the nation in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate each of the past two years. “I know his big thing is accountability,” said former cornerback Brandyn Thompson (2007-10). “And after you leave the program, you really see that. It’s been instilled in you so much you almost

get frustrated when you don’t see it in other people.” Petersen’s low-ego approach was a hit in the locker room, on the recruiting trail and in the community. He was insulated by design — limited media and booster functions — but was gracious, even when confronted by someone wanting a photo or an autograph. When Kuna High football player Boone Bartlome broke his neck in a playoff game earlier this season, Petersen went to visit him in the hospital. His players stood and applauded on the field days later when Bartlome was honored during a break in a BSU game. “He’s such a great leader,” Boise State men’s basketball coach Leon Rice said. “That’s what I was always so impressed by.” Petersen stayed at Boise State so long that he defied comparison in college football. Successful coaches outside of the power conferences don’t stay — they cash in.

ON TO WASHINGTON

“I didn’t think Coach Pete would ever leave, but I can completely understand,” Thompson said. “Just from a business standpoint, how many times can you turn down almost triple your salary?” Petersen’s raise won’t be at that level, but it will be significant. He was scheduled to make $2.348 million in 2014 — a 369.6 percent increase over his original salary in 2006. Washington offered to make him the highest-paid coach in the rich Pac-12 Conference, according to CBSSports.com. The contract is for five years and $18 million ($3.6 million a year), the website reported. Petersen also will have at his disposal a new stadium and football facility that he got a look at when the Broncos lost their season opener 38-6 in Seattle, and a talentrich roster recruited by Steve Sarkisian, who opened the door for Petersen by taking the USC job.

JOE JASZEWSKI / Idaho Statesman file

SEPTEMBER 2010 ESPN brought its ultra-popular “College GameDay” show to Bronco Stadium for the Broncos’ game against Oregon State. From left, Petersen, ESPN host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso and Desmond Howard talked before a crowd of 13,000. “It’s off the charts,” Fowler said that day. “It’s one of the all-timers for us.”

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COACH PETE THE END OF AN ERA

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013 • *A7

Idaho Statesman file

FEBRUARY 2010 Petersen’s success allowed the Broncos to upgrade

their facilities, including the addition of the Stueckle Sky Center to Bronco Stadium and the Bleymaier Football Complex, which opened in 2013. Boise State is also building a grass practice field.

CHRIS PETERSEN AT BOISE STATE JAN. 9, 2001: New coach Dan Hawkins hires Petersen as his offensive coordinator. Petersen spent the previous six years as the wide receivers coach at Oregon. “We feel comfortable that this is the right opportunity for us,” Petersen said. “… Hopefully we can just keep things rolling (at Boise State).” JOE JASZEWSKI / Idaho Statesman file

DECEMBER 2012 In the Broncos’ first season without Kellen Moore, Petersen guided Boise State to an 11-2

record. While some observers expected the Broncos to fall off without their star quarterback, Petersen proved the program could withstand personnel losses. Plus, until falling on hard times the past decade, Washington was one of the top football schools in the West. “I’m from Washington, so I’m excited for him,” said former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore (2007-11). “I think it’s scary, the potential there, with what they have and now with Coach Pete. They have a lot of talent, new facilities, and now they have such a great leader with him.” The potential at Washington long had intrigued Petersen, former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti told The Seattle Times. Petersen worked for Bellotti at Oregon and remains close to him. The Huskies, who will open the 2015 season at Bronco Stadium unless they pay a $2 million buyout to avoid a Petersen homecoming, climbed from winless the year before Sarkisian took over (2008) to 8-4 this year. “(Petersen) had let me know years ago, five to seven years ago, that the Washington job was one that definitely held interest for him,” Bellotti said. “Just the combination of recognition that maybe they could be better, in his estimation, (and) that they had the resources and facilities to regain the level that they had played at in the early ’90s.”

2002-04: The Broncos lead the nation with 45.6 points per game in 2002 and 43 points per game in 2003. They finish second at 48.9 points per game in 2004 — increasing the attention on Petersen. He is named a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach, twice (2002, 2004). DEC. 16, 2005: Petersen, then 41, becomes the 10th head coach in school history, introduced at the same time that Hawkins is being introduced as Colorado’s head coach. Reluctant to trade schematics for program building, Petersen at first thought he would follow Hawkins to Boulder. He decided to stay instead. “This truly is a dream of mine,” Petersen said. “... I wouldn’t get myself into a situation I didn’t feel extremely confident about.” School President Bob Kustra predicts exactly the impact that Petersen would have: “I don’t think there’s any question that the dream lives on with this appointment. The dream for me is national rankings, the dream for me is someday another conference, the dream for me is busting the (Bowl Championship Series). Chris Petersen can get all those things done for the Boise State University Broncos.” 2006: Petersen produces one of the best first seasons by a head coach in college football history — a record 13 wins and no losses, and a dramatic 43-42 victory over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, a game considered one of the greatest ever played. Petersen becomes a national phenomenon after the Broncos win the game with a series of trick plays, including a hook-and-lateral to force overtime and a Statue of Liberty handoff to win it on a two-point conversion. “When he said, ‘We’re going for two,’ ” tailback Ian Johnson said, “everybody said, ‘We’re going to take this game.’ It shows how much faith he has in us.” Petersen is named the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year. Final ranking: No. 5. 2007: The Broncos (10-3) lose 24-10 at Washington, drop the WAC title game at Hawaii and fall in a bowl game against East Carolina. It’s Petersen’s worst season until 2013. AUG. 30, 2008: The Stueckle Sky Center — the long-desired addition to Bronco Stadium, with suites and club seats — opens. 2008: The Broncos post a 12-0 record in the regular season and lose 17-16 to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl. The season begins the program’s growth to a well-rounded national power because of a maturing defense. The Broncos finish third in the nation in points allowed (12.6 per game). Final ranking: No. 11.

NEXT FOR BSU

The challenge for Boise State is to build upon Petersen’s success. The last two hires came from the existing coaching staff. This one, former players say, should come from the Petersen coaching tree. “I know Boise has been up-andcoming for years and years, even before Pete got there,” former defensive back Winston Venable (2009-10) said. “But they’re definitely losing a team leader — the leader — and it’s going to be a tough loss for Boise. Somebody’s going to step in there and they’re going to know they have some big shoes to fill, and because of that they’ll give their best effort and bring whatever they have to the table and Boise will be all right. “I think Coach Pete laid down a foundation for Boise and the Boise players. They’ll have that in their heart going through the rest of their four years. All the kids that the coaches recruited, they’ll have a little bit of Coach Petersen in them, and they’ll be all right.”

LATE 2001: Petersen decides to stay at Boise State, spurning overtures from Oregon, Cal and Baylor. It’s the beginning of an annual chase for the coach. “We just want to live normally for a while, for a long while,” he said of his family.

Idaho Statesman file

JANUARY 2007 An estimated crowd of 20,000 celebrated the Broncos’ Fiesta Bowl victory outside the Idaho Statehouse.

2009: The Broncos win a hyped home opener against Oregon, go undefeated in the regular season for the third time in four years — 13-0 — and beat TCU 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl. Petersen becomes the first two-time Bear Bryant winner, but his program takes a hit — defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox leaves for Tennessee. “I’m pretty sure it’s not a dream. I’m going to enjoy this one,” defensive back Winston Venable said. Final ranking: No. 4. 2010: With the most loaded roster in Boise State history, the Broncos beat Virginia Tech in Landover, Md., draw a visit from ESPN’s “College GameDay” and ascend as high as No. 3 in the polls. But after winning 24 straight games, they lose to Nevada in overtime and miss a trip to the Rose Bowl. Still, quarterback Kellen Moore reaches New York as the school’s first Heisman Trophy finalist. “It’s just heartbreaking ... it’s sad that we couldn’t finish,” tailback Doug Martin said. “We always talk about finishing. We just couldn’t do it (at Nevada).” Offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin leaves for Texas after the season. Final ranking: No. 9

Idaho Statesman file

JANUARY 2007 Despite getting almost no sleep the night of the game

and traveling all day back to Boise, Petersen stood in the cold for more than

Chadd Cripe: 377-6398, an hour signing autographs and accepting congratulations for the Fiesta Twitter: @IDS_BroncoBeat Bowl victory from fans, including Zeb Gressman, 11, of Meridian.

JANUARY 2007

Petersen and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops met in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos edged Oklahoma 43-42 in overtime in one of the most memorable college football games of all time. Boise State executed a series of trick plays to stun the favored Sooners in Glendale, Ariz. The win capped a 13-0 season in Petersen’s first year as head coach. Idaho Statesman file

JAN. 10, 2011: Petersen announces that he will stay at Boise State after a phone interview with Stanford. BSU begins planning to build him an office and training facility in the north end zone of Bronco Stadium. “I don’t want to be lured away,” Petersen said. “We just want to do the best we can here and continue to build on what we’ve got.” SEPT. 13, 2011: The NCAA imposes several penalties on the Broncos for rules violations stemming from how incoming players were housed and fed in the summer before enrollment. Most notably, the Broncos lose three scholarships each in 2011, 2012 and 2013. 2011: The Broncos — new members of the Mountain West — win their first eight games, Moore makes another run at the Heisman and the team is a dark horse in the national championship race. But they lose 36-35 to TCU on Nov. 12 at Bronco Stadium — Petersen’s first home loss. New offensive coordinator Brent Pease (Florida), special teams coach Jeff Choate (Washington State) and defensive backs coach Marcel Yates (Texas A&M) continue the run of assistants to move on. “The bottom line is Coach Pete’s there, and as long as he’s there, everything is going to work out just fine,” Moore said. Final ranking: No. 8. 2012: The Broncos struggle offensively through an 11-2 season but win a share of the Mountain West title and beat Washington in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas. Immediately after the bowl win, Petersen pledges a thorough review and update of the offensive playbook. “We’re starting at ground zero and we’re going to figure this thing out in terms of what’s best for us and the people that we have,” Petersen said. “The kids improved and all that, but we have to be able to score more points than we scored.” Final ranking: No. 18. SUMMER 2013: The Broncos move into the $22 million Bleymaier Football Complex and install a new high-definition video board. 2013: The Broncos’ new offense debuts with a dud — a 38-6 loss at Washington that is the worst of Petersen’s career. They lose key games at Fresno State, BYU and San Diego State, finish a Petersen era-worst 8-4, and fail to win the Mountain West Mountain Division despite a 5-0 record within the division. “You want to win a few more games, but I think we can all be better for it when we move forward,” Petersen said. DEC. 6, 2013: After flirting with USC earlier in the week, Petersen accepts the head coaching position at Washington without public comment.

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Northern Illinois loses; today’s game previews S5

COACH PETE THE END OF AN ERA

COYLEONTHECLOCK TWO FULL PAGES OF COVERAGE INSIDE

Boise State’s athletic director in charge of replacing Petersen

HOW THE DEAL WAS DONE Former Boise State coach Skip Hall helped broker Petersen’s departure to Seattle. S2 PAC-12 IS LOADED Petersen brings intrigue not just to Washington, but to the entire Pac-12 coaching fraternity. S2 THE GAUDY STATS Petersen’s career by the numbers: 92 wins, seven bowls, 17 draft picks and more. S2 WHO’S NEXT? Three former Boise State coaches’ names have emerged as possible successors. S3 COACH K GONE Boise State defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is following Petersen to Seattle. S3 FAN REACTION Bronco Nation says, “Washington is lucky to get him.” Plus, what some fans are saying about life after Coach Pete. S3

MURPH’S

ired in 2011 to turn Boise State’s football success and popularity into dollars, Athletic Director Mark Coyle now Statesman must pick a new coach to sports sustain that success and columnist Brian popularity. Murphy Just two years into his tenure, Coyle — a first time Blogs.IdahoStatesman.com/MurphsTurf athletic director with a Twitter: @murphsturph background in marketing and fundraising — faces the most important decision of his Boise State career and one that will likely determine how long it lasts. Football coach Chris Petersen’s departure for Washington means Coyle has already failed in his first mandate with the Broncos. “My No. 1 goal is to keep Chris Petersen at Boise State University,” Coyle said at his introductory press conference in December 2011. He was able to hold onto Petersen for two seasons. While it’s unfair to pin Petersen’s departure on Coyle — it appears Petersen was simply ready to move on to a new challenge with an enormous pay raise in one of college football’s best conferences — it certainly falls on Coyle to pick up the pieces. That’s not the same job he signed on for. His job was to parlay the Broncos’ fame into fortune. “It’s becoming more and more important for us to find a way to take the Bronco Nation on the road, so to speak. Get that national fan base that we have developed to not only to turn on the TV set, but when they turn it off, to get the checkbook out,” Boise State President Bob Kustra said when Coyle was introduced. “That’s how to build that national brand and image.” Now his job is to make sure the Broncos stay relevant in football. It starts and ends with this hire. One poor hire could unravel all of Boise State’s sustained success at a time when the Broncos’ place in the college football landscape is already slipping. The power conferences are pulling away from the Mountain West financially and competitively, a gulf that Boise State has remarkably covered (and then some) throughout Petersen’s brilliant run. With the gulf between the sport’s haves and have-nots widening, the Broncos can’t afford any more slippage. This year’s 8-4 season resulted in smaller crowds at Bronco Stadium, less recognition and zero of the national buzz that had marked the Petersen era. And the next head coach won’t have two Fiesta Bowl titles to buffer any criticism. Normally conversational with the media, Coyle has gone into hiding in recent days. He left the stands in the second half of Thursday’s men’s basketball victory, when the Petersen news began breaking. There are indications he (and Kustra, who I expect to have big influence on this hire) have formulated a short list already, one heavy with Boise State ties. Coyle’s relevant hiring experience is practically zero, whereas former Athletic Director Gene

THREE PAGES OF COVERAGE IN MAIN, INCLUDING PETERSEN’S LOCAL LEGACY

TURF

See MURPHY, S3

Veteran assistant Bob Gregory will lead the Boise State football program as interim head coach through its bowl game, the school announced Friday. Gregory replaces Chris Petersen, who was named Washington’s new head coach Friday. Petersen’s contract stipulated he would coach the Broncos through a bowl game if he

took another job, but he and the school mutually agreed he would step aside, according to school officials. The Broncos will find out their bowl destination and opponent by Sunday at the latest. The leading contenders are the Hawaii Bowl, which tried unsuccessfully to land Notre Dame (accepted Pinstripe Bowl invite) but perhaps could take one of the extra Pac-12 teams instead, or the New Mexico Bowl, likely against Washington State of the Pac-12. Gregory is in his fourth season as a Boise State position coach — he coaches linebackers — and his sec-

ond as assistant head coach. He also was the defensive coordinator in 2001, and held that position at Cal from 2002 to 2009. Gregory was not made available to the media, but released a statement through the school. “I’m honored to represent Boise State University and Bronco football in our bowl game,” he said. “We have a great process in place, and we will continue to follow that process. We look forward to our bowl preparations knowing that our players will be excited and will play with great energy.” The last two times the Broncos were in this position — in 2000 and

2005 — the outgoing coach led the team in the bowl while the incoming coach was on staff. The Broncos beat UTEP in the 2000 Humanitarian Bowl under Dirk Koetter and Dan Hawkins, and lost to Boston College in the 2005 MPC Computers Bowl under Hawkins and Petersen after an uninspired first half. Former quarterback Jared Zabransky, who was a junior in 2005, said the coaching transition didn’t cause problems with game preparation, but did leave some hard feelings among players. “We felt a little betrayed,” he said.

JOE JASZEWSKI / Statesman file

BOB GREGORY

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013 • S3 *

COACH PETE THE END OF AN ERA

Three coaches with extensive ties to the Boise State football program have emerged as the most likely successors to departed coach Chris Petersen, the Idaho Statesman learned Friday night. Former defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, former offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin and former coach Dirk Koetter would allow the Broncos to maintain a sense of continuity while infusing some new energy into the program. “It’s a very unique culture,” former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore said. “Someone who understands that (would be a

good fit).” Wilcox was a graduate assistant under Dan Hawkins from 2001 to 2002 and the defensive coordinator under Petersen from 2006 to 2009. He built a defense that finished third in the nation in points allowed in 2008 and 14th in 2009. He also is a strong recruiter who brought Moore to Boise. Wilcox left to become the coordinator at Tennessee (2010-11) before moving to Washington (2012-13). He reportedly could join former boss Steve Sarkisian at USC but hasn’t made the move yet. Harsin grew up in Boise, played quarterback at Capital High and Boise State (1995-99), served as an assistant under Hawkins (2001-

Bryan Harsin

Dirk Koetter

Justin Wilcox

05) and became offensive coordinator under Petersen (2006-10). The Broncos led the nation in scoring in 2009 and finished second in 2010. He was Moore’s position coach for four years, too. Harsin spent two years as the co-offensive coordinator at Texas (2011-12) and became the head coach at Arkansas State this year. The Red Wolves are 7-5 and going to the GoDaddy.com Bowl. He has an onerous, $1.75 million buyout designed to prevent the Red Wolves from losing their

coach for the third straight year. Still, Harsin is interested. “This is where he’s wanted to be for a long time — probably a couple years sooner than he wanted it to be,” his father, Dale Harsin of Boise, said. Koetter was the Broncos’ head coach from 1998 to 2000, leading the team to a 26-10 record. His teams won the first two bowl games in school history and set the course for the run of success that followed. He went 40-34 in six seasons at Arizona State and is now the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. He is close friends with Petersen. All three former BSU coaches were mentioned by

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING AT IDAHOSTATESMAN.COM

KWIATKOWSKI ALSO LEAVING Boise State defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski accepted a position on Chris Petersen’s staff at Washington, a source told the Idaho Statesman. Kwiatkowski, a former Boise State player, joined Petersen’s staff in 2006 as defensive line coach and became the coordinator in 2010. ex-players as good fits. “I’m sure they’ll do their search and everything,” former cornerback Brandyn Thompson (2007-10) said. “If I had a vote, it’d definitely be for Coach Wilcox or Coach Harsin.”

“We owe our thanks to Coach Pete for his vision and perseverance in engineering and building a top notch football program and state of the art facilities here in lil’ old Boise, ID. Best of luck in Seattle Coach. You are a class act and you will be missed.” — Chuck Best “Good luck Pete and thanks for an awesome run. How to take the sting off for Bronco Fans? Offer Kellen the head coaching job and Kirby can be our new offensive coordinator (sorry Coach Prince). Think about it, Kellen would make more money than he would as third banana in Detroit and coaching is what both of them want to do!” — Rob Love “I hate to see Coach Pete go. He was perfect fit for Boise and its fans. I truly hope it works as well as other coaches that have left us. Hope you sit back in couple years and wonder why you left a program and fan base like Boise for a few extra bucks to sit on while UW fires you and fans want your head on a platter. … As far as UW hope that BOMBS on you ;) GO BRONCOS!” — Supa Dupah “Show them the money and they are gone. Used to be coaches would stay in the community and make it their home a place to retire. Good luck to him, too bad it is that way most everywhere in every business now.” — David Loomis “Why does it have to be Washington? I hate those guys, even with Coach Pete there I still hope they never win a game.” — Kyle Stevenson “It’s all part of the university’s plan to get into the Pac-12. Coach Pete is going to infiltrate and lay the groundwork for us to follow. Think of him as a beach head, as it were. …” — David Wilkins “Pete joined the Haves and is leaving the lil train that could behind!” — Randy Sisson ON TWITTER

“Can’t believe Coach Pete” — Baby D™, @darynjaide DARIN OSWALD / Statesman file

After his offense and defense tied at the end of the Broncos’ 2010 spring scrimmage, Boise State head coach Chris Petersen tells the team the winner will be decided on a two-point conversion. The defense held its ground and won the scrimmage 30-28 at Bronco Stadium.

From politicians to prominent players, there was no shortage of those who knew Chris Petersen well to bid him adieu Friday. Defensive end Jarrell Root, who played for Petersen from 2007-11, took to Twitter in the morning when he heard the news. “Coach Pete is like Mary Poppins, (you’re) glad to have had them, but when they leave ... you understand.

Coach Pete also travels by umbrella,” he wrote. Even those who were around Petersen for years and constantly heard the rumors were a little surprised, like Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor, who played for Petersen from 2008-12. “It was kind of like ‘wow,’ especially because I’m always telling people ‘no, he’s not leaving,’ ” Taylor said. “At the same time, he did everything he could possibly do at Boise from a winning standpoint, recruiting, building the university, bringing people to Boise. I think he needed a new challenge, and he’s up to it.”

Boise Mayor David Bieter said Petersen “will be always be part of the Boise family,” while Gov. Butch Otter praised the attention he brought to the state. “Congratulations and good luck to Coach Pete on his new challenge! He’s brought great pride to BSU and Idaho, and he’ll be sorely missed,” Otter said in a statement. Boise State President Bob Kustra did not speak publicly on Petersen’s departure, but offered similar praise. “I know Bronco Nation joins me in thanking Chris Petersen for all he did to advance Boise State’s football

program over the past (13) years,” Kustra said in a statement. “He is not only a great coach but a great person and an asset to the community. We were lucky to have him at Boise State and Washington is lucky to get him.” Athletic Director Mark Coyle, who began his third year on the job Dec. 1, said the school would begin a national search, and in a statement said, “Chris is an outstanding coach and role model, and we know he’ll be successful at Washington.” Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore, who won 50 games as Boise State’s starter from 2008-11, said, “I

Dave Southorn: 377-6420, Twitter: @IDS_southorn

MURPHY

CONTINUING THE TREND Chris Petersen is the fourth straight Boise State coach to leave for a BCS conference job. HOUSTON NUTT: Left Boise State for Arkansas after going 5-6 in one season (1997). He went 75-48 in 10 seasons with the Razorbacks before going 24-26 in four seasons with Ole Miss before being fired after the 2011 season. DIRK KOETTER: Left for Arizona State after going 26-10 in three seasons (1998-2000). He went 4034 with the Sun Devils before being fired after the 2006 season. He is now the OC for the Falcons of the NFL. DAN HAWKINS: Left BSU for Colorado after going 53-11 in five seasons (2001-05). He went 19-39 with the Buffaloes before being fired during the 2010 season.

think Washington made a lot of sense.” The new Boise State coach will go to work each day in the $22 million Bleymaier Football Complex, which opened this summer. As if the specter of Petersen wouldn’t loom large enough, it also will have constant reminders of the now-Washington coach, whose favorite sayings were placed around the building. “They just spent a bunch of money putting up those quotes from Coach Pete in that facility, better find someone who likes those,” Moore said.

CONTINUED FROM S1

Statesman file

Chris Petersen gives his players a pep talk before the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on Sept. 3, 2011.

WASHINGTON’S 2014 NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE Æ Saturday, Aug. 30 at Hawaii Æ Saturday, Sept. 6 vs. Eastern Washington Æ Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. Illinois Æ Saturday, Sept. 20 vs. Georgia State

Bleymaier had a track record of notably great hires. Coyle has made two promising belowthe-radar coaching hires in his first two years at Boise State. First-year soccer coach Jim Thomas led the Broncos to 13 wins, tying a program record, and the finals of the Mountain West tournament. First-year track and cross county coach Corey Ihmels — the 2011 and 2012 Big 12 coach of the year — guided the Broncos to their first top-25 rankings in school history. Boise State placed runners in the national meet for the first time since 2006. The Broncos don’t have a special TV deal with ESPN because of women’s soccer or cross country. They have one because of Petersen. The difference between hiring coaches in low-level women’s sports and picking a football coach is much larger even than the gulf between Petersen’s salary at Boise State and Washington. An athletic director’s legacy is defined by football hires. Not only will Coyle’s legacy be shaped by this choice, but the Broncos’ football future hangs in the balance as it hasn’t in a while. No pressure, Mark.

“Coach Pete helped put Boise on the map. He isn’t the team, he is the coach. Be grateful for what he has done, but there’s always another game” — Jenna Griggs, @JennakGriggs “I’m kinda pissed about Coach Pete leaving us, smh.” — Kels, @KelsoHagerman “Coach Pete will not look as good in purple as he does blue.” — Jordyn Mae, @J0rdynr “What I really like is though we are sad about Coach Pete leaving, we have no animosity toward him. Speaks to his character.” — Alex Gutierrez, @agboise ON FACEBOOK

“Bryan Harsin please. Justin Wilcox good too. Eventually Kellen Moore PLEASE!” — Sue Nula “Good luck and thanks Coach Pete. Now Bronco football starts a new and hopefully even better chapter!” — John W Haupt “Coach Pete: It rains MUCH more in Seattle than Boise! Oh well. I wish you well in your new adventures. Thanks for the many years of your excellent coaching. You.Will.Be.Missed!” — Denise Woods “I will remember coach Pete in better memories tomorrow. Right now I have a 7 year old boy that is crying his heart out. His hero, his mentor, his icon is leaving and it has been all this Boise State fan has ever known...You have a broken boy here in Idaho.” — Pam Larson Hoggan “Wish he was going out on top rather than from a mediocre season. Now it just looks like he is running away when the going has gotten tough!! Wish him the best but mind you coach when we play the huskies in 2015 were gonna give you a good welcome beat down!! Still appreciate a job well done!!” — Tyson Monson “Sell out...” — Brandon Abbott