The University of Idaho football program opened fall camp Wednesday in Moscow as second-year head coach Thomas Ford Jr. begins preparations for what he hopes will be a significant improvement over last season’s four-win campaign.
The Vandals kicked off their preseason work at the practice fields outside the Kibbie Dome, where the team will conduct 18 total practices leading up to the 2026 season opener. Ford, who completed his inaugural year at the helm last fall, is tasked with turning around a program that finished at the bottom of the Big Sky Conference standings.
The coaching staff gathered information and perspective at the Big Sky Conference Kickoff event held in Spokane earlier this month, where Ford and his team assessed the competitive landscape heading into the new campaign. The message heading into fall camp centers on progress and accountability—both areas the program must address after a disappointing 2025 season.
With an entire offseason to develop his system and refine the roster, Ford enters his second year with renewed focus. The extended fall camp schedule allows the coaching staff additional time to evaluate talent, install offensive and defensive schemes, and build chemistry among position groups heading into conference play.
The Vandals will compete in a loaded Big Sky Conference that includes several returning bowl teams. Success in the fall camp environment, particularly in execution and discipline, will be critical to setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
What Comes Next: Idaho will conclude fall camp over the coming weeks before shifting focus to game preparation. The Vandals’ 2026 schedule will be announced, and the team will begin final preparations for the season opener.