Vandals extend Eck through 2028 football season

From news services

MOSCOW — The Idaho State Board of Education approved a two-year contract extension for Vandal football head coach Jason Eck through the 2028 football season.

"We are very pleased with the progress our program has made in our first two years," Eck said. "We are not content. Our sights are set on bringing a championship to Moscow. My family and I love the University of Idaho and this community. We are grateful to President Scott Green and Terry Gawlik for this contract extension to remain here."

Eck has set a high bar in his first two seasons in Moscow, leading Vandal football to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2023. He has a 16-9 (.640) record and a 12-4 (.750) Big Sky mark, which is among the best two-year conference records in program history, surpassing Hall of Famer Dennis Erickson's Big Sky record of 9-5 (.642).

“It’s an exciting time for Vandal football,” Eck said. “We’re hungry to not rest on what we’ve done the last two years and keep striving to bring a championship and hang a banner in the Kibbie Dome. It’s been too long since we’ve won a conference championship. We’ve got to stay hungry and keep getting better.”

The Vandals picked up an impressive 33-6 win over FBS Nevada in 2023 and three top-five wins in two years, including a road win at Montana in 2022, and dramatic wins over No 4 Sacramento State and No. 2 Montana State in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in 2023. Idaho is 5-3 overall against ranked teams in Eck's first two seasons.

Eck originally signed a five-year deal, set to expire after the 2026 season.

“I like it here and living here and coaching this team,” Eck said. “That stability to do it for a long time is a plus. It’s good for our coaches and staff. We love it here and hope to be here for a long time.”

In the classroom, Idaho put together a stretch of record-breaking performances. Vandal football posted a program-record 3.31 team GPA this spring, breaking the spring 2023 GPA record of 3.30. the team posted a fall 2023 GPA of 3.13, the highest in-season GPA in program history.

 "I am thrilled to see Coach Eck build on the exciting start to his tenure leading our Vandal Football program," Athletic Director Terry Gawlik said. "Our success on the field has elevated our program and our university on a national stage. The record-breaking performances in the classroom speak to his ability to prioritize our core values. We are so looking forward to the fall and watching Vandal football take it to the next level under Coach Eck's leadership."

Eck has earned honors for his work on and off the field. He was named the Mid-Season Big Sky Coach of the Year by the Our Coaching Network after leading the Vandals to a 5-1 start in 2023. He was also honored as a nominee for the AFCA Good Works Team Coach for his work in the Moscow Community and as a national board member for the Tally Bone Marrow Foundation. The Moscow Elks Lodge named Eck their Citizen of the Year for his work bringing positive light to the Moscow Community.

 On the recruiting trail Eck has put together a pair of top-10 FCS recruiting classes in 2023 and 2024.

 The Vandals open the 2024 season on the road at Oregon on Aug. 31. Fall camp begins in late July.