'Tired of coming close': Despite coaching change, Idaho enters season with sky-high goals

The air at Northern Quest Casino on Monday, July 21st, was thick with the usual preseason optimism, but for the University of Idaho Vandals, it carried an extra layer of resolve. Adorning their media table at the Big Sky Conference football kickoff were the tangible symbols of recent gridiron triumphs – perhaps a playoff bracket, a conference recognition plaque, or images of hard-fought victories. These "accoutrements of success" were not just decorations; they were reminders of how close the Vandals have come, and simultaneously, a powerful statement of intent: this program is done with merely coming close.

For the past few seasons, Idaho has established itself as a formidable presence in the FCS landscape, consistently making deep playoff runs and challenging for Big Sky supremacy. Yet, the ultimate prize has remained just out of reach, a recurring narrative that has fueled a collective hunger within the locker room and beyond. This offseason, the program navigated a significant coaching transition, a period that for many teams might necessitate a reset of expectations. However, the sentiment emanating from the Vandals' contingent at the kickoff event was anything but tempered. Instead, the change appears to have galvanized the team, instilling a renewed focus on overcoming that final hurdle. Players and staff alike spoke with a quiet confidence, acknowledging the strides made but emphasizing that the program's sights are now firmly set on securing the championship hardware that has eluded them.