Report: Tormey, Lindgren interview for Vandals' job

Of the five finalists for the Idaho Vandals' vacant head coaching position, two have already completed face-to-face interviews, according to FootballScoop.com.

The website, which specializes in coaching news, reported on Monday that both Chris Tormey and Brian Lindgren would have interviews regarding the opening on Tuesday.

Tormey, who coached UI from 1995-99, is currently the defensive coordinator at Wyoming and his candidacy was confirmed by Cowboys' coach Dave Christensen on Monday.

"I don't want to get the cart ahead of the horse," Christensen said to the Casper Star-Tribune. "Chris is going to interview there. I'm supportive of anything our guys can do from a career standpoint that advances them."

On Monday, Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman told the Star-Tribune that he had discussed Tormey with UI athletic director Rob Spear. At the time, Spear said he hoped to name a coach within seven-to-10 days.

Lindgren, a former UI quarterback who still holds the school record for most passing yards in a single game, is in his first year as the offensive coordinator at San Jose State.

Previous to his stint at SJSU, Lindgren, a Walla Walla native, spent six years coaching at Northern Arizona. He was the wide receivers coach in 2006 and the running backs coach in '07 before being bumped up to passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach in '08. From '09-11, Lindgren was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

One coach who was rumored to be in the mix, but appears to be on the outside looking in - at least for the moment - is former Montana coach and Washington State assistant Robin Pflugrad.

Pflugrad, whose contract was not renewed by UM President Royce Engstrom in March, confirmed that he applied for the position at UI, had a phone interview last week, but has not heard back regarding his candidacy.

"I did an interview with a committee over the telephone a little over a week ago and there was quite a few people they interviewed over the phone," Pflugrad told the Tribune on Tuesday. "The next step was either meeting up with them or come into Moscow to interview, but I haven't heard back."

With the Cougars, Pflugrad coached tight ends and was the recruiting coordinator from '01-05. At Montana, the coach compiled a record of 18-7, won a share of the Big Sky title in 2011 and reached the Football Championship Subdivision national semifinal where the Grizzlies fell to top-seeded Sam Houston State.

"I think it'd be a good fit, having been at Washington State that many years," Pflugrad said. "I know how to get to Moscow.

"I thought (Idaho) would be a good fit with Northwest recruiting and what they told me they wanted offensively was what we were doing (at Montana). I think it'd be a neat fit, but I'm not the decision-maker on that end, so who knows."

While successful on the field, the 2011 Grizzlies found trouble off it - resulting in investigations from the university as well as the Department of Education.

"Coaching is a great profession and I've had a few months here to reflect on things and the main thing I miss is the age group of those college kids because you can still mold them and guide them," Pflugrad said. "You have a 104 players and you're responsible for all of them and helping them make that next step whether it's academically, physically, socially - you're the next step in their life for four or five years."

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Warzocha may be contacted at twarzocha@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2260. Follow him on Twitter @lmtribTroyW.