Early this morning the Spokane Spokesman-Review posted an interview with Idaho offensive coordinator and interim head coach Jason Gesser on his interest in retaining the Idaho head coaching job full-time.
In Gesser words, “I want to be here in the worst way. I love the place. I love the university. I love the community. I finally just got my family over this year and they love it. And so I don’t want to go anywhere else. I really don’t. If I had the opportunity of staying on as the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach again, that would be great. Or whatever it may be. That’s something that I hope if I’m not the guy selected that I do have that opportunity of still staying here.”
After a five-year career in professional football, Gesser is in just his second season coaching college football. He spent five seasons as a high school coach in Washington before becoming the running backs coach at Idaho in 2011. Gesser was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach prior to this season before receiving the interim head coach tag on Oct. 21.
Sources tell us that Idaho athletics director Rob Spear is still conducting phone interviews and plans to speak with Wyoming defensive coordinator Chris Tormey, Montana State head coach Rob Ash, Cal Poly head coach Tim Walsh, along with Gesser, among several others.
When asked for the ideal candidate, Spear said this, “Obviously we want somebody from a successful program. I want somebody that understands the Northwest and is going to be able to recruit the Northwest. I want somebody who’s going to be able to recruit a high character kid. I want them to hold them accountable. And I want discipline in the program. So those would be the characteristics. And I don’t think you need to say it has to be a former or current head coach. It could be an up-and-coming assistant. I think we’re going to be very open in this process.”
Several coaches have asked us if Dan Hawkins could wind up getting this job. We don't believe Hawk is involved with this one.