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Vandal football player Sather

dies after battle with cancer

MOSCOW — University of Idaho student-athlete Collin Sather passed away during the early hours of the morning Tuesday, after a battle with cancer. Sather was 19.

A redshirt freshman wide receiver on the Vandal football team, Sather was diagnosed with advanced renal cancer last month. He began experiencing stomach pains Jan. 17, and was taken to the hospital Jan. 21. Despite several weeks of dialysis and chemotherapy, the cancer spread to his lungs and neck.

“Collin was a tremendous young man and a great teammate,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “It is a testament to him to see how many of our players cared so deeply about him and how many lives he touched in the Vandal Family in such a short time. We challenge our players to be tough and always choose character. Nobody did a better job of that than Collin. My time with him made me a better person and I know his teammates feel the same way.”

A Spokane native, Sather is a 2018 graduate of West Valley High where he was a multi-sport standout. He earned first-team All-Great Northern League recognition in football and basketball for the Eagles. Sather was a high school teammate of fellow Vandal football student-athletes Tevin Duke and Connor Whitney.

Sather turned 19 Sunday, surrounded by many of his family, friends, coaches and teammates. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help Sather and his family in their fight. Nearly $10,000 was raised on his birthday alone, with support continuing to pour in the past two days.

“On behalf of the Vandal Family, our deepest condolences go out to Collin’s family and loved ones,” Idaho interim athletic director Pete Isakson said. “Collin made a profound impact on the lives of those he touched throughout our department and across the campus community. The loss of a 19-year-old is difficult to comprehend and we are here for anybody who needs help during this challenging time.”

The University of Idaho has counseling and support services available for all students, faculty and staff. Anybody impacted by Collin’s loss and needing assistance during this time is encouraged to contact the Counseling and Testing Center at (208) 885-6716.

Cougars add Bellantoni, Slutak

to football coaching staff

PULLMAN — Washington State football coach Mike Leach announced Tuesday that Roc Bellantoni and Dennis Slutak have been added to the Cougar football staff, with Bellantoni coaching linebackers and Slutak serving as the director of football operations.

Over his 26-year coaching career, Bellantoni has coached the defensive line and linebackers, served as defensive coordinator at three different stops, and reached the FCS playoffs six different times, to go with a bowl appearance in 2018 while with the University at Buffalo. He has mentored 16 players who played professionally, including three NFL Draft picks.

Bellantoni recently completed his second season at Buffalo, where he served as defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator in 2018. He spent the 2018 season as director of player personnel.

Slutak spent the past four seasons as the Director of Football Operations at UNLV. He also served as the Director of Football Operations at Bowling Green in 2013, where the Falcons went 10-4 and reached the Little Ceasars Bowl in his lone season.

Prior to Bowling Green, Slutak spent three seasons at the University of Washington (2009-11) as the Assistant AD for Football Operations and another four years at the University of Southern California (2005-08) as the Director of Football Operations.

Prior to taking over the football operations at USC, Slutak coached special teams for the Trojans in 2003 and 2004, and was part of two consecutive national championships. He’s also previously coached at Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Lehigh University, where he won a Patriot League Championship in 1995.