College Football Team Looses Head Coach

Nick Holt, the University of Idaho's coach is leaving to become the St. Louis Rams assistant coach as he announced last Sunday. He has been this NCAA Football team's head coach since December 8th, 2003. Holt initially turned down a chance to join new St. Louis coach Scott Linehan's staff, sources said, but Linehan returned with an enhanced offer later in the week and Holt accepted. As Idaho athletic director Rob Spear said, for them it is disappointing to loose Holt, but they are happy to see one of them is getting a big opportunity like this one.

The coach's decision to leave Idaho comes just days after the Vandals announced a recruiting class of 20 players. During a Wednesday conference call, Holt said one of the reasons for Idaho's success in recruiting was due to the stability on his staff the last two years. The college football team will now have to replace a head coach for the third time since Chris Tormey left after the 1999 season. Holt at age 43, compiled a 5-18 record, including 2-9 in 2005, as coach of the Vandals.

Holt and new Rams head coach Scott Linehan worked together as assistants at Idaho in the early 1990s. Spear had been working on a new contract for Holt and said the Rams will definitely pay Holt more than Idaho did. Holt had a four-year contract that paid him $205,000 annually. .

By: Julie Smith