Thomas Ford Jr. has returned to Moscow as the head football coach for the University of Idaho Vandals, following in the footsteps of his predecessor and former boss, Jason Eck. Ford, who previously served as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator under Eck, outlined his vision for the program during his introduction, emphasizing a commitment to excellence and continuity.
Ford wasted no time in building his coaching staff, hiring Matt Linehan as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Linehan, a former Vandal star quarterback and wide receivers coach under Eck, expressed excitement about joining the program and bringing his innovative ideas to the team’s offensive strategy.
The new coaching staff’s priority is player retention, with Ford hosting a meeting to discuss his vision with the current roster, including those in the transfer portal. Several players expressed their intention to return to the team after hearing Ford’s plans for the program, highlighting the sense of camaraderie and opportunity at Idaho.
Ford emphasized the success of Idaho’s pro football alumni as proof of the program’s effectiveness and appealed to players considering transferring for greater opportunities to consider the value of developing at UI. The new Vandal regime is also in the process of interviewing coaching candidates to build a strong foundation for the future of the program.
Having previously visited Moscow as a student and track athlete, Ford expressed his longstanding connection to the university and his excitement to return as the head coach. With a focus on continuity, player development, and embracing opportunities, Ford aims to lead Idaho football to continued success in the years to come.
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