A Legacy on the Gridiron: The History of College of Idaho Football
The College of Idaho (C of I), a private liberal arts college nestled in Caldwell, Idaho, boasts a rich and storied history, and its football program is no exception. From its early beginnings to its recent resurgence, the College of Idaho football team, known as the Coyotes (or Yotes), has provided memorable moments and instilled a sense of pride in the college community.
Early Years and Program Development
The College of Idaho was conceived in 1884 and founded in 1891 by William Judson Boone with the support of the Wood River Presbytery. The college first opened its doors to students on October 7, 1891. Nineteen students showed up at The College of Idaho for the first classes in 1891. The first classes were held downtown in the Caldwell Presbyterian Church. A year later the college moved into its own downtown building before moving to its present site on the east side of town in 1910 when Henry and Carrie Blatchley donated 20 acres (8.1 ha) of land. Sterry Hall, a classroom and administration building, and Finney Hall, the first residence hall, were built that year. In 1893, it was incorporated under the laws of the state of Idaho and placed in the hands of a self-perpetuating board of trustees.
The early years of the football program were marked by challenges and triumphs as the college sought to establish itself as a competitive force in the region. The program saw periods of both success and struggle, reflecting the changing landscape of college athletics and the evolving priorities of the institution.
A Hiatus and a Resurgence
In 2014, The College of Idaho re-instated its football program after a 37-year hiatus. The decision to revive the program was met with enthusiasm from alumni, students, and the local community, signaling a new chapter in the college's athletic history.
The return of football brought a renewed sense of excitement to the campus. The Coyotes quickly became a source of pride for the college, drawing large crowds to home games and generating a buzz around campus.
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The Mike Moroski Era
The program is led by head coach Mike Moroski, who has posted a record of 53-38 since taking over the program and was voted the 2019 Frontier Conference Coach of the Year. Under the leadership of head coach Mike Moroski, the Coyotes have experienced remarkable success. Moroski, named the 2019 Frontier Conference Coach of the Year, has instilled a winning culture within the program, emphasizing both athletic achievement and academic excellence.
From 2019 to 2022, the Yotes have posted a record of 29-7 and have won a at least a share of the Frontier Conference each year. The Yotes even posted their longest winning streak in school history from 2018 to 2019 (17 games). Even so, the Yotes have only reached the NAIA playoffs once in those four years (2019). In 2019, the Yotes posted their best record of 11-1 and achieved their highest rank in program history at #5 in the NAIA postseason poll.
Recent Achievements and Recognition
Since 2014, the Yotes have had a total of 8 All-Americans, 56 all-conference selections, and 26 NAIA All-Academic selections. The Coyotes' achievements have not gone unnoticed. The team has garnered numerous accolades, including All-American selections, all-conference honors, and NAIA All-Academic recognition. These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of the student-athletes who have donned the Purple and Gold.
In 2014, the CofI football team ranked No. 2 in the NAIA for attendance with more than 4,500 fans per game. The College of Idaho football team's success extends beyond the field. All 19 of the College of Idaho's NAIA teams were honored as NAIA Scholar Team for 2008-2009 season. Each team maintained an average GPA of at least 3.0.
During 2019-2021, the College of Idaho football team won three straight Frontier Conference championships in the NAIA. These titles underscore the program's commitment to excellence and its ability to compete at the highest level.
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Key Players and Coaches
Throughout its history, the College of Idaho football program has been shaped by the contributions of numerous talented players and dedicated coaches, including:
- 1946: Tom Winbigler, Bud Hammack, Don Phelan, Glen Ward, Tom Oxman
- 1947: Bud Hammack, Tom Winbigler, Swede Erstom, Glen Ward, Cal Farley
- 1948: Tom Winbigler, Bud Hammack, Glen Ward, Cal Farley, John Park
- 1949: Tom Winbigler, LaVon Scott, John Park, Bud Hammack, Glen Ward
- 1950: LaVon Scott, Bob Morford, Herb Imanaka, Ted Martin, Duke Sherman
- 1951: Bob Morford, Ted Martin, Boyd Crawford, LaVon Scott, Frank Moss
- 1952: Boyd Crawford, Ted Martin, Bob Morford, Jack Brannan, Ed Bonaminio
- 1953: Boyd Crawford, Ted Martin, Ed Bonaminio, George Pesut, Gary Collins
- 1954: Bob Sloan, Wal Jakubowski, George Makini, Warre Williams, Gary Collins
- 1955: Gary Collins, Ed Lodge, George Makini, Ed Bonaminio, Wal Jakubowski
- 1956: Ed Lodge, Gary Collins, Rich Maggard, George Makini, Charlie Alvaro
- 1957: Rich Maggard, Charlie Alvaro, Ed Sloan, Roger Swanson, Ron Morrison
- 1958: Charlie Alvaro, Gary Lappin, Ken Brocke, Dick Garner, Gary Hale
- 1959: Charlie Alvaro, Ken Brocke, Dell Smith, Gary Lappin, Don Shaffer
- 1960: Dell Smith, Bill Ransom, Gordo Gochnour, Larry Anderson, Bil Cunningham
- 1961: Len Lutero, Frank Hawley, Garry Matlock, Larry Anderson, Pat Fullerton
- 1962: Dave Fletcher, Bil Cunningham, John Tria, Frank Hawley, Gerry Iverson
- 1963: Dick Fulwyler, Dick Madison, Bil Cunningham, Ed Bradbury, Jim O'Connor
- 1964: Ron McNutt, Elmore Brooks, Dick Fulwyler, Gary Hirai, Ross Magnuson
- 1965: Ron McNutt, Ron Washington, Ron Boyd, Ross Magnuson, Elmore Brooks
- 1966: Ron Boyd, Ron Washington, Lon Troxel, Gary Hirai, Bruce DeGroat
- 1967: Lon Troxel, Rich Pelkey, Jim Miller, Dick Johnson, Rick Candaele
- 1968: Lon Troxel, Bruce DeGroat, Joe Glaisyer, Rich Pelkey, Bob Yensen
- 1969: Lon Troxel, Bruce DeGroat, Joe Glaisyer, Chuck Knox, Rick Jensen
- 1970: Cisco Limbago, Gary Evans, Chuck Knox, Rick Jensen, Jim Scherer
- 1971: Rick Jensen, Kim Hall, Cisco Limbago, Dan Uranga, Evere Carolina
- 1972: Kim Hall, Rick Jensen, Tom Attebery, Dav Cadwallader, Larry Wickleffe
- 1973: Craig Belle, Steve Douglas, Dav Cadwallader, Rich Martinez, Terry Williams
- 1974: Don Anderson, Steve Douglas, Larry Wickleffe, Bill Combo, Kelly O'Dell
- 1975: Don Anderson, Steve Douglas, Dave McAnaney, Jeff Marler, Bruce Lincoln
- 1976: Steve Douglas, Dave McAnaney, Mark Palmore, Don Crossley, Rocky Lammers
- 1977: Randy Osler, Robert Spriggs, Mark Palmore, Rocky Lammers, Don Coloma
- 2014: Teejay Gordon, Zach Garzoli, Ryan Texeira, Jake Hennessey, Kyle Merritt
- 2015: Teejay Gordon, Kyle Merritt, Zach Garzoli, A.J. Martin, Colby Brown
- 2016: Tyler Cox, Darius Peterson, Zach Garzoli, Colby Brown, Mike Kirby
- 2017: Darius Peterson, Tyler Cox, Nick Calzaretta, Zach Garzoli, Mike Kirby
- 2018: Darius Peterson, Nick Calzaretta, Nathaniel Holcomb, Dominic Garzoli, Justin Hellyer
- 2019: Darius Peterson, Nick Calzaretta, Justin Hellyer, Dominic Garzoli, E Osterberger
- 2020: Ryan Hibbs, Jacob Holcomb, Nick Calzaretta, A. Alexander, Hunter Gilbert
- 2021: Ryan Hibbs, Nick Calzaretta, Jack Rice, Hunter Gilbert, A. Alexander
- 2022: Andy Peters, A. Alexander, Hunter Gilbert, Ryan Hibbs, Jon Schofield
- 2023: Andy Peters, Hunter Gilbert, A. Alexander, Caden Cobb, Caden Young
- 2024: Andy Peters, Caden Young, Hunter Gilbert, Jackson Stampfl, Ryken EchoHawk
These individuals have left an indelible mark on the program, inspiring future generations of Coyotes to strive for greatness.
The Future of College of Idaho Football
As the College of Idaho football program looks to the future, it remains committed to its core values of academic excellence, athletic achievement, and community engagement. The program seeks to build upon its recent successes, continue to develop talented student-athletes, and provide an exciting and memorable experience for fans and supporters.
With a dedicated coaching staff, a supportive administration, and a passionate fan base, the College of Idaho football program is poised to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.
Additional Notable Achievements
In 2023, the College of Idaho's men's basketball team won its second NAIA national championship, defeating Indiana Tech 73-71 in Kansas City, Missouri. In Fall 2023, the women's cross country team won its first national championship and the first NAIA women's team national championship in school history.
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