Idaho football coach Robb Akey has been terminated effective immediately and Offensive Coordinator Jason Gesser will take over as head coach on an interim basis, the athletic department announced Sunday.
“The President (Duane Nellis) and I believe it is important to make this move now so we can immediately begin the process of hiring a new coach for the 2013 season,” Athletic Director Rob Spear said. “We appreciate Coach Akey’s enthusiasm and dedication to the University of Idaho but this is the right move at this time.”
The termination comes on the heels of Akey’s 70th game as coach of the Vandals, a 70-28 loss at La. Tech. Akey is 20-50 in his five-and-a-half seasons with Idaho and 1-7 this season.
Spear said a search for Akey’s replacement will begin immediately.
News conference audio —
Rob Spear
Jason Gesser
Akey signed a contract extension in June 2010 following the Vandals’ Humanitarian Bowl victory. The extension was set to extend through 2014. Per terms of the agreement, if terminated, Akey would receive his base annual salary of $165,796.80 per year “until the terms of this agreement ends or until (Akey) obtains employment, which occurs first.”
In Akey’s third season with the Vandals, he led the team to a 8-5 record which included a Humanitarian Bowl victory, Idaho’s second ever bowl victory.
Notable players to play under Akey include San Francisco 49ers left guard Mike Iupati, Houston Texans safety Shiloh Keo and former Chicago Bears quarterback Nathan Enderle.
Idaho starting quarterback Dominique Blackman along with other Vandals took to Twitter following Akey’s termination to express their feelings.
Honestly me or my cousin ken wouldn’t have got a chance if it wasn’t for Akey #RIP86 #akeyarmy
— #itsallforKEN#⃣3⃣ (@vandalsQB3) October 21, 2012
Akey was the glue that held us together. I can say as a team we played for him. Not even for ourselves.We love Akey we need Akey #akeyarmy
— Taylor J Elmo (@TjMO81) October 21, 2012
Wishing nothing but the best for Coach Akey. Great coach/mentor who truly cared for his players. Still a lot of coaching left in him I hope.
— Nathan Enderle (@nenderle) October 21, 2012
Wish Coach Robb Akey the best. Idaho won bowl game in 09, Vandals became our “official” team. Been a rough stretch for a good guy. #Nolte
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 21, 2012
Gesser, who has been on the Idaho staff for two seasons, spent time as a quarterback in the NFL and Canadian Football League after playing his college football at Washington State. Before coming to Idaho, Gesser coached the Eastside Catholic High School Crusaders from Sammamish, Wash., for two seasons.
Lynn Curtis
I'm so sad to see Coach Akey go - he is truly a terrific coach who cares about his players. I think the transition to Independent hurt UI and recruiting possibilities immensely, taking the toll on Coach and staff. I wish him and his family the very best - he was such a good friend to Bob (Curtis - my husband) and to me especially during a very difficult time. Love you and your family so much Coach!
Realist
Well JP, sounds like it's time to adjust the competitive level. Come on, Big Sky football!
nick
AKEY IS A GOOD MAN!! I WISH HIM ALL THE BEST!!THANKS FOR GIVING MY SON A CHANCE!!!GOD BLESS YOU AND UR FAMILY!!
CKuheana
Coach Akey, Wishing you nothing but the Best. Thanks for giving my son the opportunity to be a Vandal.
Howard Warren
Unfortunately, I haven't been back to Idaho since I graduated in 99. I was able to watch only one game, the Humanitarian Bowl (and this was when I was deployed to Africa). I loved Akey's fire and positive attitude in that game. Tough times being a Vandals fan with the transition to Independence. Even tougher with no coach for next year.
Lois
This truly makes me sad that they would release coach Akey before the end of the season. He is a good coach and loves the young men that play for him.
JP
Well, Emily, Akey couldhave tried winning the games beside LSU and UNC, and at least being competitve in our conference games. We lost 38-7 to a first year FBS team, we lost 70-28 to a team we used to be competitve with, we lost to Eastern Washington, an FCS team, and could only must 3 points. We only won 2 games last year. This is a sad, sad team, and it has nothing to do with the fact that they had to play a couple of a really good teams on the road. This is about getting rid of a coach who sucked. I'm not confident that Spear can find anyone better to replace Akey, but at least it's worth a try.
Emily
This is called Spears trying to save his own job. How does he expect the team to win when he schedules so many unwinnable games, LSU, UNC.... This is a joke.