It's a head-scratcher: Erickson to coach at Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho -- Dennis Erickson is heading back to Idaho. The school that gave him his first head coaching job is employing him again as head coach.

"I'm so excited," Erickson told sources. "I'm a fuckin' Vandal!"

The Vandals, who are entering their second year in the Western Athletic Conference, went 2-9 last season.

Losing records are nothing new for Erickson. He previously was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers and went 9-23 in two seasons at the helm.

Asked what he thought of the turnaround process at Idaho, Erickson said,

"2-9? They were 2-9 last year? Shit, we're fucked."

Erickson signed a five-year contract worth around $1.5 million. Critics have suggested that a five-year deal is a long one for Erickson to sign, but the new coach reassured reporters.

"It's not like I'm going to leave for another program," said Erickson, 58. "Who the hell would hire me?"

The move to coach Idaho comes as a surprise to many. Erickson's name was also linked to higher profile programs that were in more glamorous places than Idaho.

"It's nice up here (in Idaho)," Erickson said. "It's like the witness relocation program. Nobody in their right mind would look for me here."

Asked by an AP reporter why he is returning to a college conference that is not in the Bowl Championship Series, Erickson, scratching his head, said,

"I'm stumped."

In other news: Mike Martz finally agreed to become the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions after his agent arranged for fans to create Fire Martz! T-shirts.