Welcome Back, Dennis!
Back Home in the Dome Dennis Erickson returns to coach Vandal football By Becky Paull
T
o Dennis Erickson, the Kibbie Dome may as well have “Home Sweet Home” emblazoned on its landmark roof. Fond memories of fall Saturdays some 20 years ago piqued Erickson’s interest when the University of Idaho came calling in February. While he didn’t immediately blurt an affirmative response – he needed to consult with wife, Marilyn – the pull back to Idaho was strong. The impact on Vandal football faithful, on the other hand, was immediate and intense. The e-mails, the phone calls, the sidewalk conversations all carried the same message: “Welcome home Dennis. Lead us back to the glory days.” While Vandals aren’t the only college football fans to reap the rewards of an Erickson-coached team – he’s one of college football’s winningest coaches – they are the ones who, over the years, are the most treasured by him and his family. A first-year head coach in 1982, Erickson took the reins of a struggling program. In one season, the Vandals were winning. In his four seasons as Idaho’s head coach, he won almost 72 percent of his games and guided the team into the Division I-AA playoffs twice.
Those are things fans remember. What Erickson remembers are friendships. “I was able to get probably the best group of assistants – not just coaching-wise, but as personal friends,” said Erickson, and explained that any time he visits with members of that group, they collectively remember Idaho as a favorite place to be. “We had a vision to do certain things. We cared about each other. We respected each other.” Off the field, the same comfortable friendships grew among Vandal followers. “The people here, the people in the state of Idaho treated us so well,” Erickson said. “We made so many good friends in the period of time we were here. That’s what made it special.” Special enough for him to come back for round two. He stresses, however, he wouldn’t be back were it not for a firm commitment to the program he sensed in Director of Athletics Rob Spear and University of Idaho President Tim White. Erickson’s
1984 Vandal Coaching Staff Back row left to right: Carl Ferrill, Bret Ingalls, Boyce Bailey, John L. Smith, Tom Everson, Dan Cozzetto Front row, left to right: Tim Lappano, Pink Erickson, Dennis Erickson, Gregg Smith, John “Poncho” McMahon
experiences – from Idaho to Wyoming to Washington State to Miami to Oregon State – made it clear the positive impact a successful football program can have on the perception of the entire campus. “It’s a showcase for the University,” he said. “There is no place else on a campus where you’re going to have 20,000, 30,000 people watching you perform.” Performing and competing are in Erickson’s blood. He tagged along with his dad during the late Pink Erickson’s legendary tenure as a high school coach in Washington. He remembers riding the team bus and hanging out in the locker room from the time he was six, maybe younger. “When it’s in your blood,” he said, “it’s in your blood. You want to compete. The game on Saturdays is what it’s all about. Once you’re involved in it, there’s no getting out of it.” Yet, he was out of it last fall when the San Francisco 49ers changed direction after the 2004 season – Erickson’s second year with San Francisco and his second shot at the NFL. 2005 was his first fall without the game that is as much a part of him as his notorious dry wit and shock of now-gray hair. So when Idaho called with an offer to add to his memory cache, it was impossible to refuse. Now, 23 years after Idaho provided him with his first head coaching job, Erickson is back
Dennis Erickson as head coach 1983-85 ........Idaho .............................32-15 1986 ..............Wyoming ......................6-6 1987-88 ........Washington State .........12-10-1 1989-94 ........Miami ............................63-9 1995-98 ........Seattle Seahawks .........31-33 1999-2002 ...Oregon State ................31-17 2003-04 ........San Francisco 49ers ....9-23
where it all started with a vow to finish his career here. As word spread among the coaching fraternity, many colleagues, he said, were envious of his opportunity to return to his roots. For him, returning to the University of Idaho is a trip down memory lane. Of all he’s seen – two national championships, two NFL ventures, 145 collegiate and 40 professional victories – his most cherished football memory was in Moscow, Idaho. “The biggest football memory that stands out for me,” he said days after he had resettled into the office he occupied from 1982-85, “was when my father came and coached here with me. He coached tight ends. I didn’t pay him. It was free room and board at my house. “Having the opportunity to coach together with him was the biggest thrill of my coaching career.”
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO VANDAL FOOTBALL
“When it’s in your blood, it’s in your blood. You want to compete. The game on Saturdays is what it’s all about. Once you’re involved in it, there’s no getting out of it.”
Air Erickson returns to the Kibbie Dome Vandal Football 2006 Season Ticket Information • VSF Premium Seating with chair backs in sections 4-8 $125 each • Stadium Reserved Seating in sections 3, 9, 14 and 15 $105 each • Youth Stadium Reserved Seating in section 3, 9, 14 and 15 $85 each Family Pass • Gritman Family Pass costs $275, and admits a family of four to all Vandal home games for football with seating in section 9. Also includes volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. Ticket Office Phone: (208) 885-6466 E-mail: tickets@uidaho.edu Web: www.uiathletics.com JOIN THE VANDAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Phone: (208) 885-0259 E-mail: vsf@uidaho.edu Web: www.vandalscholarshipfund.com
Vandal Scholarship Fund Coaches Tour and Special Events May 5
VSF All Sports Spring Banquet, 5:30-9:30 p.m., University Inn
May 6
VSF/Seattle alumni chapter cruise, 6-10 p.m.
May 19-20
Ada County Vandal Scramble, Eagle
June 2
Burley Memorial Vandal Scramble, Burley
June 3
VSF Coeur d’Alene event, Hayden Lake Country Club
June 3-4
Vandal-Bronco Golf Challenge, New Meadows
June 9
VSF/Spokane alumni chapter, barbecue and auction
July 28
Canyon County Vandal Scramble, Caldwell
July 29
Western Treasure Valley Scramble, Payette
July 31
Buhl Pig Out, Buhl
August 1
VSF/Idaho Falls alumni chapter, dinner and auction
August 3
VSF Governor’s Gala and auction, Boise
August 19
Community Day, meet Vandal student-athletes, Moscow
August 25
VSF Bob White Golf Tournament, Lewiston
For more information on these events, contact the Vandal Scholarship Fund, (208) 885-0259, vsf@uidaho.edu.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO VANDAL FOOTBALL
Meet Vandal Coaches This Summer
2006 Vandal Football Schedule Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 18 Nov. 25
at Michigan State at Washington State Idaho State (Dads’ Day & Ag Days) at Oregon State at Utah State* New Mexico State* (Homecoming) at Louisiana Tech* Boise State* (Black Out The Dome) at Hawaii* Nevada* (CommUniversity Day) at Fresno State* San Jose State* (Senior Day)
Home games in bold, played in the Kibbie Dome *Western Athletic Conference game
For event information go to: www.VandalGameDay.com
What theyʼre saying… “His hiring puts the place back on the map. It focuses national attention on the University of Idaho. … In the ’06 recruiting class, he’s the best one.” —Keith Gilbertson, Seattle Seahawks offensive consultant “I have the utmost respect for the guy – not only as a coach, but as a human being. The whole state’s abuzz, and this is the tip of the iceberg. It’s just a neat thing that he’s back here. There are some guys who are meant to be head coaches.” —Ken Hobart, former Vandal quarterback “With Dennis coming back, it gives you instant credibility. It will create a lot of excitement with a lot of old Vandals. … He will make you competitive in the league.” —John L. Smith, head football coach, Michigan State University “He’s the fiercest competitor I’ve ever been around. That’s what separates him. He’s a great offensive mind and a great motivator, but he out-competes and out-coaches the guy across the field. … He’s really impacted a lot of people’s careers – including myself.” —Scott Linehan, head coach, St. Louis Rams