Jan. 5, 2007
Pocatello, ID --- If you notice a bunch of new faces around the Idaho State football offices, you aren't alone. John Zamberlin has completed his first Bengal coaching staff, naming Michael Orthmann as offensive coordinator, Brian Strandley as defensive coordinator, and retaining Nick Whitworth as recruiting coordinator.
In all, Zamberlin named eight members to his coaching staff, bringing with him a few coaches that he worked with at Central Washington as well. Along with Orthmann, Strandley, and Whitworth, also named to the staff was Brian Jensen, Drew Miller, Aaron Hineline , Brandon "Cherokee", and Steve Amrine.
"I'm very excited and thrilled about the coaches we were able to bring to Idaho State. I think they are young and excited about the job ahead, and I'm looking forward to working with them," said Zamberlin
Orthmann comes to Idaho State after spending last season at Sacramento State, where he coached the offensive line. Orthmann was also Sacramento State's recruiting coordinator. Mike has tons of Big Sky Conference experience, serving as the assistant head coach to Jerome Sauers at Northern Arizona, helping the Lumberjacks to a pair of playoff appearances, and he also has served on the staffs of Montana State and Eastern Washington. He has also spent time at Baylor and Southern Oregon. Orthmann will also coach the offensive line as well as serving as offensive coordinator.
Strandley comes to Idaho State after spending last season as the defensive ends coach at Eastern Washington. Strandley is no stranger to Zamberlin however, coaching at Central Washington for nine years. Strandley also played in the Big Sky Conference from 1991-94 at the University of Idaho, playing in the playoffs three times. He has also been a head coach at the high school level. Strandley will serve as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
Whitworth, who spent the past four years on the staff serving as first tight ends coach and then running backs coach, will remain as both the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. Whitworth served as a coach last year for 1,117-yard rusher Josh Barnett, and Whitworth was a four-year letterwinner, and also spent two years working with ISU as a student assistant after his playing days.
Rounding out the coaching staff is Brian Jensen, who comes from Central Washington and will coach quarterbacks and Drew Miller, who also comes from Central Washington and will coach the receivers. Miller should be remembered will be Bengal fans as he starred at the University of Montana for two seasons, leading them to the NCAA I-AA title game in 2000. Aaron Hineline is a former fullback at Central and will coach the linebackers, Brandon "Cherokee" Valeria is also a Central graduate and will coach the cornerbacks, and former Eastern Washington Eagle Steve Amrine will coach the safeties.
Head Coach: John Zamberlin (Pacific Lutheran, 1979)
Quarterbacks: Brian Jensen (CWU, 1997)
Running Backs: Nick Whitworth (Idaho State, 2004)
Wide Receivers: Drew Miller (Idaho State, 2007)
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line: Mike Orthmann (Eastern Washington, 1990)
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line: Brian Strandley (Idaho, 1995)
Linebackers: Aaron Hineline (Central Washington, 2005)
Cornerbacks: Brandon "Cherokee" Valeria (Central Washington, 1999)
Safeties: Steve Amrine (Eastern Washington, 1996)
