Two publications have named Idaho football coach Robb Akey as the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Akey earned the recognition by The Sporting News and Phil Steele's College Football after leading the Vandals, chosen at or near the bottom of every preseason polls, to the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl with their best record since 2000. The 7-5 Vandals have the second best turnaround in college football this season.