Idaho, OC Matt Linehan part ways

Nov. 26—The Idaho football team is parting ways with offensive coordinator Matt Linehan and two other assistants, it was announced Tuesday.

The Vandals and Linehan have mutually agreed to part ways, according to Linehan's X account. Running backs coach Lance Dunbar and defensive line coach Tevita Finau will also not return to the coaching staff in 2026, the school announced in a news release.

According to Linehan's post, he was demoted from offensive coordinator following a 28-14 loss to UC Davis on Nov. 8 — a move that was never formally announced by the team.

"Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms these last four years," Linehan said in the post. "It has been special to come back to my alma mater and continue on my family tradition as a Vandal."

Linehan spent less than a year as the offensive coordinator for a UI team that finished 4-8 in the first year under head coach Thomas Ford Jr.

Linehan, a former star quarterback for the Vandals, previously spent three seasons as the team's wide receivers coach and one year as the recruiting coordinator.

Against Sacramento State and Idaho State, Idaho State, Linehan was seen on the sideline without a play sheet in hand and was seen working with the quarterbacks.

After the 37-16 Idaho State loss on Saturday, Ford was asked who was calling the plays.

"That's really not a question that I feel comfortable talking about, really," Ford said. "I mean, we have an offensive coordinator, and that's all I'll say."

The Vandals' offense was eighth in the Big Sky in scoring this season, averaging 25 points per game.

Idaho was also eighth in the Big Sky in total offense at 377 yards per game.

The passing game was No. 9 in the Big Sky, averaging 202 yards per game with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The rushing attack was No. 5 in the Big Sky, averaging 175 yards per game with 18 rushing touchdowns.

Linehan offered his thanks to former Vandal head coach and current New Mexico coach Jason Eck and former UI offensive coordinator and current UNM offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner for "bringing (him) back to the program and (helping him) grow as a coach and person."

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Prior to his coaching career, Linehan spent four years as the Vandals' starting quarterback in 2014-17, passing for 10,772 yards and 62 touchdowns.

Linehan holds school records for career attempts and completions and is second in yards and third in yards per game. He is also fifth in school history in touchdowns and was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection.

Most famously, Linehan also won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl MVP award after a thrilling 61-50 bowl win over Colorado State in 2016.

Matt Linehan's father, Scott Linehan, was also an Idaho quarterback and coach in the '80s and '90s.

As a player, Scott Linehan helped lead Idaho to the Big Sky title in 1985 and consecutive NCAA DI-AA playoff appearances in '85 and '86.

The elder Linehan went on to have a 36-year-long college and NFL coaching career, including 17 years in the NFL. He currently serves as a senior offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints.

Dunbar, a former NFL running back, spent one year at UI as RBs coach. Tevita also had NFL experience, spending time with the Eagles, Cowboys, Jets and Texans.

"After reviewing our staff and team performance, we've decided to part ways with coach Linehan, coach Dunbar and coach Finau," Ford said in a statement. "I want to personally thank all of them for their service in our program this past season, and for all they did for our student-athletes. Difficult decisions like this are made with the best interest of our student-athletes and the future of the program. I wish each of them nothing but success going forward."

The Vandals failed to live up to expectations this season after going to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs the three previous seasons. This year, UI finished four games below .500 and went 2-6 in Big Sky play.

The offense noticeably struggled throughout the year and was the weaker unit for the Vandals.

In his X post, Linehan said that he was thankful for his coaching years at Idaho with the players.

"Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank all the players I've had the privilege to coach over the last four seasons," Linehan said. "You all have taught me what true leaders of men are supposed to be."

A national search to replace each coach has already begun, the school said.

Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) @TrevorJunt.