MOSCOW, Idaho - Nick Holt's coaching staff at the University of Idaho is complete with the hiring of Alundis Brice (cornerbacks), James Cregg (defensive line), Jason Eck (offensive line) and Chad Brown (receivers).
"I'm just really excited about all my guys," Holt said. "They're really good, young teachers. And they'll be great recruiters. They have great personalities.
"We need them at 100 - full max out."
Cregg comes to UI from Colgate University where the Raiders were 15-1 last season with their only loss in the Division I-AA championship game. Cregg had been at Colgate as the defensive line coach since 2000. Prior to his coaching the Raiders, he was a graduate assistant at his alma mater - Colorado State University - during the 1997-99 seasons.
Cregg was a student assistant for the Rams for one season after earning all-Western Athletic Conference honors as a senior. Holt first met Cregg when Cregg worked the summer football camps at USC.
"I was really impressed with his coaching ability," Holt said. "He has a great passion and enthusiasm for the position. He's everything I look for in a coach - loyal and hard working.
"We really need help at that position. We have to improve our productivity there. James brings a lot to the table."
Brice joins the Vandals after one season as a graduate assistant at Mississippi, where he was an all-SEC selection in 1994. He was a third-round draft choice of Dallas where he played for the 1995 Super Bowl champion Cowboys. He spent five years with the Cowboys before stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He eventually returned to Mississippi to try his hand at coaching.
"He has a great knowledge of the individual techniques and skills of the secondary," Holt said. "He comes with great accolades from coaches I really respect.
"Plus, he brings a great attitude, charisma and personality to our staff. He's an excellent asset to the University of Idaho."
Brown comes to Idaho after two seasons as a graduate assistant at Purdue University. His stint with the Boilermakers, however, was preceded by two seasons as the tight ends coach and assistant recruiting coordinator at Dartmouth College, and two seasons as receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Washington & Jefferson College. He earned his bachelor's degree at Purdue, where he played receiver, in 1998. He earned his master's degree in 2000 from California University of Pennsylvania at California, Pa.
"A lot of friends of mine called on his behalf," Holt said. "He is really intelligent, has loads of experience and recruited for Purdue. He brings a lot of knowledge as far as the one-back passing game and the one-back running game.
"Just talking to him on the phone, I was really impressed with his enthusiasm. He got me fired up about football. He's a passionate, tireless worker."
Eck joins Holt's staff after graduate assistantships at Colorado (2002-03) and Wisconsin (1999-2001). During his time at Colorado, the Buffaloes won the Big XII North Championship. At Wisconsin, the Badgers won the 1999 Big Ten Championship and two Rose Bowls. He was involved in all phases of coaching the offensive line as well as assisting in recruiting. He played center at Wisconsin and earned his degree in 1999.
"Jason comes from a long line of a great system of offensive line coaches," Holt said. "He comes highly recommended from some coaches I truly respect in this profession. He's learned the same system we're going to implement here.
"Again, he has a great personality and a great passion for and knowledge of the game. I think the kids will rally around him and play hard for him."
These four complete Holt's staff, which also includes Jeff Mills (assistant head coach/safeties), Joel Thomas (co-offensive coordinator/running backs), Nate Kaczor (co-offensive coordinator/offensive line), Johnny Nansen (linebackers) and Jonathan Smith (quarterbacks).
