University of Idaho football enters its second season under head coach Thomas Ford Jr. with a notably different message than last year: process over results.
At the Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend in Spokane on Monday, Ford addressed the shift in team philosophy after his inaugural season concluded with discussion centered on conference championships and playoff appearances. Rather than chase specific outcomes, the Vandals are embracing a simpler directive.
“It doesn’t matter, get better,” Ford told his team, setting the tone for the fall camp that begins Wednesday morning and a season that kicks off in late August.
New Leadership, Familiar Connections
The coaching staff underwent significant changes heading into 2026. Ford brought in three new coordinators: Ian Shoemaker on offense, Lee Stalker on defense, and Joe Begnal handling special teams. The hire of Shoemaker carries particular significance for quarterback Joshua Wood, who transferred to Idaho at the end of spring camp in 2025 and is entering his second year with the Vandals. Wood was previously committed to Shoemaker at Eastern Washington, reuniting the two.
As a junior, Wood steps into the season with a full offseason under the Idaho program and the benefit of working alongside new offensive leadership that coached him before his arrival in Moscow.
Roster Leadership and Local Ties
Linebacker Cruz Hepburn, a Lewiston High School product, brings veteran leadership as he enters his fifth year of eligibility. Hepburn expressed pride in representing the Vandals program.
“It’s an honor to wear some Vandals across my chest, and definitely a lot of pride that comes with playing for this program,” Hepburn said.
The inclusion of local athletes like Hepburn underscores the program’s connection to the Palouse and surrounding communities. His eligibility situation, afforded under NCAA rules governing redshirt years and transfer windows, allows Idaho to retain experienced defensive leadership as the team transitions under Ford’s revised approach.
A Philosophy Shift
Ford’s emphasis on incremental improvement rather than championship targets represents a deliberate recalibration. In his first year, the coach acknowledged that framing goals around Big Sky Conference titles and playoff berths placed undue pressure on the roster and, by his assessment, did the team a disservice.
The new messaging—concentrate on getting better each day, each practice, each game—aims to build a foundation rooted in development and consistency. This philosophy aligns with standard program-building approaches: master fundamentals, improve execution, and let results follow naturally.
Fall camp runs through the preseason schedule, with the Vandals preparing for their September opener less than a month away. The coaching staff’s familiarity with key players like Wood and the retention of core defensive talent in Hepburn position the program to execute the new strategic focus.
For a program in its second year under a new regime, clarity of message and cohesive staff alignment are essential. Ford’s streamlined philosophy—”get better”—removes noise and redirects attention to process. Whether that mindset produces measurable on-field results will become clear once the Vandals take the field next month.
For more on Ford’s approach to continuity and culture, see the coach’s full remarks at Big Sky Media Day. The University of Idaho is also seeking community volunteers for August move-in day to assist student-athletes and other incoming students.
What Comes Next
Idaho football opens its 2026 campaign in late August. The Vandals will spend the next week in fall camp before preseason games and eventual conference play begin. Fans and followers can track the program’s progress as it aims to implement Ford’s emphasis on continuous improvement throughout the season.