A little more than proximity between EWU and Idaho

The ties between Big Sky troupes seem never-ending, but for Idaho and Eastern Washington - the two closest schools in the conference by proximity (76 miles) - "intermingling" might be putting it lightly.

First of all, the programs scour much of the same Inland Empire for recruiting purposes; for UI, there's sure to be more regional reconnaissance now than in years past.

Yet, a significant truth resurfaces when focusing on the 5-2 Eagles.

EWU's links run close to home - besides the fact it's got an offensive lineman from Troy, Will Gram, and a safety, Calin Criner, who's father, Mark, coordinated UI's defense from 2007-12.

Look a bit closer. The Eagles enjoy the coaching presence of two former standout Vandals, both of whom competed for UI and coach Paul Petrino in the early 1990s.

That's Josh Fetter (linebackers) and Brian Strandley (defensive line) - guys who contended their now-employer in several instances at the Kibbie Dome, donning gold, lining up between 1991-94 at the positions they now coach, defensive groups that No. 5 EWU's staunch ground defense will bank on to combat UI's ever-upgrading rushing attack.

It'll be a welcoming-home-the-past party on Saturday, when Fetter and Strandley's Eagles get Petrino's Vandals at noon on the Inferno of Cheney's Roos Field.

"Both (Fetter and Strandley are) great guys; I love 'em to death," Petrino said. "In fact, when I first got the job here, I tried to hire Fetter, but he was loyal to the coaches up there."

They've kept up since, but what does Petrino remember about the two from 1992-94, regardless of his then-station as an offensive-minded assistant?

"You really appreciated them as players 'cause of how hard they worked and how hard they played," he said. "It's no surprise at all that they're both successful as coaches."

For Fetter, who was recruited to UI by Petrino's brother, Bobby - he was a defensive captain at LB - it was just too hard to say no to former EWU skipper Beau Baldwin.

"When I first got into coaching, I worked at Central Washington and (Baldwin) was the offensive coordinator over there," Fetter said. "A few years after, he won the national championship (in 2010), so he got me here."

Now eight years deep at Eastern, he's red through-and-through - though a little silver and gold still looms from his playing days.

He said his "mind was better than my athleticism," but gratefully, he was "coached up," by such notables as John L. Smith, who led Fetter and UI to a Big Sky title in '92 and four consecutive playoff appearances.

"Any week we don't play Idaho, I'm rooting for them," Fetter said.

For Strandley, it's a lot of the same. He was enlisted by former UI offensive coordinator Dan Cozzetto, played on one of the nation's best defensive lines (No. 1 in '94) for four years, was named a defensive captain and notched three of four wins against the team from his forthcoming residence.

"Those were always tough football games," Strandley said. "There was that double-overtime game in '91 (the Eagles won, 34-31) and some really good battles overall. Eastern's always had a strong program, but it became obvious in 2010."

After traversing the coaching ladder, starting at Potlatch High, Strandley linked up with Baldwin at Central Washington, just as Fetter had. A one-year stop in '06 at Eastern was next, then it was off to Idaho State - alongside Fetter - then Eastern Illinois.

"I had an opportunity to coach up in Canada (in 2012), either in Winnipeg or to come back here and coach with a great group of guys and a great staff that I knew," Strandley said. "It was close to my family as well, and I knew the program's history."

He started as tight ends coach, a position designation he "had to pause for a few minutes" before accepting. Eventually, a session on the offensive side "made me a better football coach."

Three years on offense didn't deter him. In 2015, he was back to what he knew best - heading the defensive trenches.

Through their eight and seven years at EWU, respectively, Fetter and Strandley have bolstered an Eastern program that's been known in recent years as the Big Sky's most formidable - kind of like Idaho's branding during their residency there.

It's consistently been in the top 25, and isn't known for ceding a ton of points, by any means. The Eags' defense - with quarterback Gage Gubrud sidelined with a foot injury the last three games - has augmented its hold on the reins.

There's nine seniors starting on defense - 21 in the overall two-deep. It ranks in the top three of nearly every defensive category, and boasts a big, fast and blitz-fond box.

So everyone's expecting a physical bout, but that's what's necessary to turn this semi-rivalry - more a close-proximity tilt of mutual respect - into one of pure disdain.

Strandley and Fetter would welcome a feud like that. On that note, they were pleasantly surprised with UI's drop; "it brings another good football team," said Strandley.

And Fetter?

"For me, every week is a rivalry," he said. "But time will tell."

Colton Clark may be reached at cclark@lmtribune.com, on Twitter @coltonclark95 or by phone at (208) 848-2260.