POCATELLO, Idaho -The Idaho State football program kicked off the first practice of spring ball 2026 inside the ICCU Dome on Tuesday, with fourth-year head coach Cody Hawkins emphasizing player integration, technique, and the dual goal of improvement and health as the Bengals prepare for the weeks ahead.
"The biggest focus is getting these new guys integrated, schematically, because I think we have a lot of strong returns coming back, but as we look at our performance expectation continuing to increase around here, the level of execution continues to get higher," Hawkins said.
When asked about roster turnover, a constant reality in modern college football, Hawkins made clear that bringing new players up to speed quickly is a priority. "When you have so much turnover like you do in college football now you wanna make sure that, you wanna stay healthy. And we wanna get better collectively as a team. And for us, just get the new guys integrated, especially these first couple practices is what it's all about."
The Bengals held Tuesday's practice inside the ICCU Dome, where Idaho State is scheduled to play seven of its 12 games in 2026. Hawkins said the decision to work in the dome is intentional. "I want guys to be able to focus on training and, and playing in a, as much of a game like atmosphere as you can create," he said. "This is our home and we got a lot of new guys and they've never even seen turf down on the field in here until the last week. So they need to see that they need to get used to him, get used to playing in here and envision success in here."
With spring ball placing an emphasis on installation and technique rather than full contact, Hawkins outlined what early practices are designed to accomplish. "Technique and communication are really important in all of this. So making sure that we're in the right fronts, that we have the right mic ID points, and that the guys are playing with great technique. I mean, that's the biggest component of it."
Hawkins described the overarching philosophy guiding how he manages the spring schedule. "My two primary objectives are get better and stay healthy. And I don't wanna do one without the other. If we stay healthy, but we don't get any better. It's a loss if we get better, but we don't stay healthy, that's also a loss."
The Bengals will hold one additional practice this week before a scheduled break. Hawkins said the early sessions serve a specific purpose before pads go on. "Really it's teaching these guys this week of kind of having 'em, shake the dust off, maybe get off some of those nerves of what is it like to practice here? What does this period mean? What is the temp supposed to look like here? What does this. This play look like in its actuality." He added that the team will eventually settle into roughly 10 meaningful practices total across the spring.
Hawkins also addressed what he wants to see from his coaching staff over the next month. "I think it's continuing to find ways that we can elevate this program. Is it how I run meetings better? Is it this technique? That could be one iota better. How can we connect our position group and make us closer as a unit and as a team." He pointed to player relationships as the foundation of that work. "I tell the coach the most important job that they can do is connect with our players. So we've gotta connect with our players. We have to engage with them, and we have to find ways to develop them personally and athletically."
Idaho State's next spring practice is scheduled for Thursday morning inside the ICCU Dome. The session is open to the public. "Everything's open. Meetings practice. I, I hope everybody feels welcome to come out and watch. We'd love to see them," Hawkins said.
2026 Spring Practice Schedule
All practices are open to the public and held in the morning unless otherwise noted.
Mar 17, Tuesday
Mar 19, Thursday
Mar 31, Tuesday
Apr 1, Wednesday
Apr 3, Friday
Apr 4, Saturday
Apr 7, Tuesday
Apr 9, Thursday
Apr 11, Saturday - Spring Game / Junior Day, 2 p.m.
Apr 14, Tuesday
Apr 15, Wednesday
Apr 17, Friday
Apr 18, Saturday - HS Coaches Clinic, 4 p.m.
Apr 21, Tuesday Apr 23, Thursday
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