Curious, what do you think this means...

[BadlandsGrizFan]

For those of you old farts....what was Idaho's program like back in the day when they were part of the Big Sky??? Ever since I've been alive, I've only known them to suck. Just curious because I know they had a somewhat good history I thought?

 

[Yukon]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_Vandals_football

I-AA playoffs
For 18 seasons (1978–95), Idaho was a member of Division I-AA (now FCS), and participated in the I-AA playoffs eleven times to compile a 6–11 playoff record. The Vandals were 4–4 at home and 2–7 on the road, with a 4–7 record in the first round (2–4 at home, 2–3 away). The best advancements were to the national semifinals in 1988 and 1993, but both seasons ended with road losses by large margins to the eventual national champions. The 1982 and 1990 teams advanced to the quarterfinals, but both lost close road games to the eventual national champions.

 

[statler & waldorf]

They were a power, along with Nevada, and Boise State. I've got plenty of VCR tapes of Idaho games. Montana was still trying to become something after the 1969-70 Swarthout teams.

 

[AZDoc]

For those of you old farts....what was Idaho's program like back in the day when they were part of the Big Sky??? Ever since I've been alive, I've only known them to suck. Just curious because I know they had a somewhat good history I thought?

They moved up for a reason...they were good. The best programs were Boise, Idaho, Nevada...and they moved up. yes the Griz were there too. Griz began winning conference every year after they all left. I watched Doug Nussmeier run a QB draw against the Scats in Bozeman for 90 yards and a TD. Now OC for Florida maybe? They were solid. John Frieze was another stud QB.

 

[statler & waldorf]

Spear denies reports linking Idaho AD Carroll College opening

Posted: Friday, October 30, 2015 12:00 am

By Michael-hawn Dugar, Daily News staff writer | 0 comments
University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear denied a report Thursday from FootballScoop.com claiming he is being considered for the same position at Carroll College.
Spear told the Daily News on Thursday that the report was “false,” and he has not interviewed for, nor has he been offered the position.

Looks like the scoop is poop, as of today.

 

[AZGrizFan]

For those of you old farts....what was Idaho's program like back in the day when they were part of the Big Sky??? Ever since I've been alive, I've only known them to suck. Just curious because I know they had a somewhat good history I thought?

I attended Idaho in '85-'88...watched them absolutely dismantle the Griz in '85 when Donovan was the coach. HATED the Vandals even then (being a Missoula boy) because Gilbertson was a compete DICK, but the Griz sucked SOOOO bad....

 

[Grizbeer]

For those of you old farts....what was Idaho's program like back in the day when they were part of the Big Sky??? Ever since I've been alive, I've only known them to suck. Just curious because I know they had a somewhat good history I thought?

They moved up for a reason...they were good. The best programs were Boise, Idaho, Nevada...and they moved up. yes the Griz were there too. Griz began winning conference every year after they all left. I watched Doug Nussmeier run a QB draw against the Scats in Bozeman for 90 yards and a TD. Now OC for Florida maybe? They were solid. John Frieze was another stud QB.

Idaho was good during the Erickson - Gilbertson era. Before that they didn't have a good record very often but always seemed to beat the Griz. But to really understand Idaho you have to understand they didn't quit the PCC - when the PCC dismantled they just didn't invite Idaho back to the new conference. Even after being a charter member of the BSC they didn't play in the BSC right away and maintained their University Division Status, playing most games against bigger schools and taking a beating. They didn't have a conference to go to in the early '60's, and by the late '60's the Junior college in Boise was moving up to full college and their boosters demanded they stay the same division as Idaho, so the Idaho regents wouldn't let them leave the BSC.

By 1973 Idaho had an offer to return to a University Division conference. The NCAA was in the process of revamping and setting standards for divisions, and the Big Sky was going to be a DII conference. This was finally too much for the Idaho boosters to stomach and they all but convinced the Regents to allow them to leave the BSC and Boise State College behind, but just before the final vote it was revealed that, anticipating approval to move up, Idaho had added more scholarships than allowed. The Boise State boosters and regents used this as an excuse and forced Idaho to stay in the BSC.

Over the next 20 years Boise State improved and grew and started itching to move on as well. The final straw came in 1993 when UM President Dennison convinced the rest of the Big Sky to reduce football scholarships to 43, basically making the BSC and D-II equivalent, and an afterthought in I-AA football. BSU and UI then worked together and got the Idaho regents to allow them to move together to D-IA. Dennison pulled his proposal and the it was never implemented in a last minute attempt to save BSU and UI from leaving, but the damage was done and they were gone.

 

[AZGrizFan]

The final straw came in 1993 when UM President Dennison convinced the rest of the Big Sky to reduce football scholarships to 43, basically making the BSC and D-II equivalent, and an afterthought in I-AA football. BSU and UI then worked together and got the Idaho regents to allow them to move together to D-IA. Dennison pulled his proposal and the it was never implemented in a last minute attempt to save BSU and UI from leaving, but the damage was done and they were gone.

That is the first time I've ever heard that story.

If true (and I have no reason to doubt you), it's living proof that it COULD happen in the future, when people here scoff at the idea of moving down to D-II.