‘The foundation for success has been laid.’ Idaho football in search of new coach

The University of Idaho needs a new head football coach.

Vandals coach Jason Eck on Saturday was named the 34th head coach at the University of New Mexico. He heads to the Mountain West Conference after spending three seasons in Moscow.

“I am truly humbled to be selected as the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos. I know that the university community, students, alumni, Lobo Nation and greater Albuquerque and New Mexico communities are eager for success and I cannot wait to give that to them,” Eck said in a news release.

“We will have tremendous coaches and support staff and develop our student-athletes into elite athletes, UNM graduates and people. My wife, Kimberly, and our five children are thrilled to be a part of Albuquerque and we are ready to go.”

The announcement came a day after the Vandals were eliminated from the FCS playoff quarterfinals with a 52-19 loss to top-seeded Montana State in Bozeman. It was Idaho’s third straight playoff appearance under Eck.

“We are grateful for everything that Jason has done to elevate Vandal football, Idaho athletics, the University of Idaho, our community and state,” Idaho athletic director Terry Gawlik said in a news release.

“We wish Jason, Kimberly and the entire Eck family the best of luck. Jason took over a struggling team and built a culture, and brought excitement and winning back to the dome immediately. We now look to the future to find the next leader of the Vandal football program. The foundation for success has been laid and we will look to the future with the goals of winning Big Sky and national championships.”

In three seasons at Idaho, Eck compiled an overall record of 26-13, including three FCS playoff appearances. He led the Vandals to 10 wins this season for just the third time in program history, highlighted by a 6-0 mark inside the Kibbie Dome. Before arriving in Moscow, Eck spent six seasons at South Dakota State, including three as offensive coordinator.