Link here.

It seems like the conference shuffle in college sports is a never-ending story.
It is a blatant money-grab with rivalries being cast aside in favor of a fatter paycheck. Regional affiliations are becoming a thing of the past. Just ask San Diego State and Boise State and their abandonment of the Mountain West Conference for the Big East.
Because the first thing that comes to mind when I hear Boise is the East coast, of course.
Since every school is looking to take care of itself and reassure its own future, there are only two universities that could be left out in the cold when all is said and done. As of now, New Mexico State and Idaho are flapping in the wind of uncertainty when it comes to conference affiliation.
The Mountain West doesn’t want them for some reason. Craig Thompson will take a horrid San Jose State program and leave the Vandals in a Western Athletic Conference that is crumbling before his very eyes. After next season, Idaho and NMSU will be the only football playing schools left in the WAC.
Nobody wants the Vandals, and I don’t understand why.
Idaho president Duane Nellis issued a statement on Tuesday that reflects the University’s frustrations.
“As you well know TV networks like ESPN are now running major college athletic affiliations not the NCAA,” he said. “Please stand by us as we work to make this frustrating situation a positive one for the University of Idaho, its vandal alumni, family and friends.”
Let’s be honest. Regardless whether or not the Vandals are successful or not athletically at the FBS level shouldn’t really be taken into account. Ball State is in the MAC, and the Cardinals have had one good football season in many years of existence. If money is what conferences want, Idaho has a niche that would do just that.
“We believe our strong presence in the Northwest media markets is being overlooked during this crucial evaluation period,” Nellis said. “We are a presence in both the Spokane and Boise media markets, which extends our reach throughout the entire Inland Northwest.”
Believe me, Idaho will fight tooth and nail to stay in what was formerly called “Div. 1A.” It’s a matter of pride. Hated rival Boise State has ascended the ranks in college football and while one sport doesn’t make or break an athletic department, there has to be a hint of jealousy there.
Idaho does not want to drop down to what was once called “Div. 1AA” because in its eyes, that would be the final blow for admitting defeat.
That, however, is dead wrong.
As dead as the WAC, actually.
Take away school and/or conference biases as well as pride and think: What would you rather be involved in? A viable college conference that regularly puts quality teams into a football playoff, or cling to hope of salvaging a decaying, forgotten conference with nowhere to turn if it does go down in flames?
Idaho, come to the Big Sky. For us on the outside, it’s really a no-brainer. A viable conference makes more sense than one that is soon to be nonexistent, regardless of division or level.
The Big Sky is sitting there with open arms ready to catch the Vandals in a trust fall. The Conference would take Idaho in a second. It has said as much.
Think of how exciting a yearly match up between the Bengals and the Vandals would be. It would give both teams a feeling of state pride to compete in such a contest. It’s certainly better than any pride or emotions that emanate from a match up with New Mexico State.
There’s no telling when and where the conference realignment carousel will stop or who will get burned because of it. Schools need to make sure they are set for years to come, even if it means dropping to the Big Sky.
Idaho State would welcome the Vandals. So would Montana, Montana State. Weber State. Now there are some rivalries.
Make the move Vandals. You’ll be glad you did.

Sept. 1- at Air Force
Sept. 8- Black Hills State 4 p.m.
Sept. 15- Bye
Sept. 22- at Nebraska
Sept. 29- Sacramento State, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 6- at Portland State
Oct. 13- UC Davis, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20- at Northern Colorado
Oct. 27- at Montana
Nov. 3- NAU, 4 p.m.
Nov. 10- at Cal Poly
Nov. 17- Weber State,4 p.m.

KRAMER ADDS TO 2012 RECRUITING CLASS

From ISU Sports Information

Idaho State coach Mike Kramer has announced the signing of defensive lineman Mitch Word to a National Letter of Intent.

Word, 6-4 and 285 pounds, is from Marietta, Georgia where he prepped at Lassiter High School and was coached by Jep Irwin. As a senior he participated in the Cobb County Senior Bowl as a starter and had nine tackles. He led his team to the Class AAAAA Final Four in 2011 and he is a two-time Iron Man Award Recipient. Had 31 tackles, 22 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery as a senior. He was a two-year letterman and starter that set the school defensive line record in the bench press at 365 pounds.

“He is a big strapping defensive lineman who has excellent foot speed, hand quickness and toughness,” Kramer said. “He gives us an immediate physical presence in the middle of the defense. This signing gives us three top notch defensive linemen.”

Words’ parents are Joe and Dawn. His father played football at Jacksonville State and was a two-time All-American that played for the Dallas Cowboys in 1976 and for the CFL’s Winnepeg Blue Bombers in 1977.

I have received confirmation that safety Taison Manu is planning on signing to play football at Idaho State when national signing day arrives on Feb. 1. What I also found out is that defensive lineman Patrick Ryan will also sign on to suit up in black and orange.

Ryan, at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, will probably have to bulk up a little bit as his career as a Bengal progresses.

With Manu and Ryan on board, they join fellow Highland player and wide receiver Kai Campbell.

ISU is signing local kids, which I think is huge for building a program.

Darius Williams, a wide reciever and kick returner from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., has verbal committed to play football at Idaho State.
Williams, at 5-foot-9, 175 lbs. earned Class AA first team all-state kick returner honors. His fourty-yard dash time is a blistering 4.32.
Williams was recruited by ISU linebackers coach Rudy Griffin.
“I like the coaching staff,” Williams said. “It would feel like I am at home a long way from home.”
Williams only played one year of football at Carver because his family moved from Tuscaloosa, Ala. He attended Paul W. Bryant High School.
He will join the Bengals in the summer when he graduates from high school.

When news broke late Tuesday night that four players had been dismissed from the Idaho State football team for “violation(s) of the Idaho State Athletic Department Code of Conduct Policy,” it sent an immediate shockwave through the ranks of Bengal fans across Pocatello and beyond.
In less than 24 hours there were multiple comments posted on my blog as well as on ISU message boards and websites with people sharing their opinions of what happened. There was speculation brought up, rumors offered and concern for the future of the team discussed. I saw as much condemnation for wrongdoing as I did support and hesitation to cast judgment until more information was revealed.
Well, more information was released Wednesday with the arrests of two defensive lineman, departing senior Jordan Monga and junior Austin Schnizler. Both were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. There is still no word on why redshirt freshman defensive back Ryan Coleman or junior offensive lineman Elijah Ruhl were dismissed from the team and without that, any speculation is useless.
One of the comments that I saw on my blog asked why the information was even posted. It said that these players shouldn’t be humiliated and that they deserve and reserve their right to privacy.
Unfortunately, when something is public record and a press release is sent from Idaho State University to the media outlets statewide, it’s going to be posted and discussed. On the other hand, had I made assumptions, offered a negative, libelous opinion of these four young men and what allegedly happened, then it would be an invasion of privacy.
Simply stating that they were released from the team is just that, a statement of fact.
When you look past the possible legal ramifications of what Monga and Schnizler will have to go through, it’s necessary to ponder on what the repercussions will be in relation to the Idaho State University football team.
While building a program, as head coach Mike Kramer is currently doing, there are certainly growing pains and acts of attrition that will occur. Of course no one hopes or expects something like drug-related arrests to happen, but it should really come as no surprise anymore given the state of college football.
Monga has already used his eligibility and would not be playing next season regardless. The other three, however, were going to be part of the Bengals’ plans in the immediate future. I think the biggest hits the team takes are the losses of Coleman and Ruhl. ISU’s offensive line needs as many experienced bodies as it can get, and now it’s down by one. Coleman was on his way up in regards to potential and on the field contribution. He leaves a considerable void in the defensive secondary. Schnizler’s absence will undoubtedly affect the depth of the defensive line, but probably won’t cause as many ripples in the program as those of Coleman or Ruhl.
There are a few other aspects of the situation that are important to mention. One, if it wasn’t obvious before than it sure is now: Kramer will not tolerate any type of insubordination, poor behavior or anything that puts a black mark on him or the program. In other words, he’s not going to put up with any garbage from his players, no matter how big a role they play on the team.
Second, all four of those dismissed were recruited and brought to Pocatello by former head coach John Zamberlin. Take that for what it’s worth, but it is an important detail to consider. After one year on the job, not one of Kramer’s recruits has found himself in trouble with the team or the law.
Third, I would like to hear more from the athletic department at Idaho State. While a one sentence press release is an improvement from the past, “there will be no further comment” only leads to speculation and rumors. The fans, after all, are buying tickets to the games and consuming sodas and hot dogs while inside Holt Arena. Athletic director Jeff Tingey and Kramer should hold a press conference to discuss their thought processes behind the dismissals. Obviously we won’t get every detail, but it would provide an avenue for the media and community to relate to them, the program, the university and the team on a more personal and credible level.  
Not doing so is simply a missed opportunity for a program in desperate need of the community’s support and confidence.
I’m sure we will continue to hear more information and details of what happened as they are released. Meanwhile, the Bengals will move on and continue to prepare for next season and the all-important National Letter of Intent Day on Feb. 1 when new recruits will sign binding agreements to come and play at Idaho State.

Just for clarification, defensive lineman Jordan Monga is a senior and has used up his eligibility. He would not be returning to play next season regardless. I’ll have more information as well as my thoughts on the incident(s) tomorrow.

Idaho State football players Jordan Monga, Austin Schnizler, Ryan Coleman and Elijah Ruhl have been dismissed from the Idaho State football team for violation of the Idaho State Athletic Department Code of Conduct Policy.

Offensive lineman Colin Prestesater out of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Calif. has verbally committed to Idaho State.
After being recruited by wide receivers coach Anthony Tucker, the 6-foot-6, 285 lbs senior was offered a scholarship and committed on Saturday, Jan. 7.
“I had a good feeling about it,” Prestesater said of why he chose the Bengals. “Talking to coach I felt they were going to turn the program around and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Prestesater said that he had no other offers at the time of giving his verbal.
He will join ISU in the summer after he graduates and will participate in camp.

I spoke with ISU strength and conditioning coach Mark Campbell Tuesday afternoon and he told me that his son Kai, an all-state wide receiver at Highland High School, has verbally committed to play for Mike Kramer and the Idaho State Bengals.

Mark is excited because ISU is where he played college football as well.

Kai will be signing his letter of intent Thursday, where a Journal photographer and I will be to put together a full feature story for Friday’s paper. I think Kai is a great fit for Kramer’s offense and has a chance to play immediately because of his talent.

I was also told that Highland safety Taison Manu will be committing to the Bengals sometime next week as well. Taison plays hard every down and delivers some pain when he hits. It will be fun to see these two childhood friends playing together at ISU.