MOSCOW, Idaho - There should be a lot of familiar faces on Dennis Erickson's football staff at the University of Idaho, some from last year and some whose Vandal ties goes way back.

"It's a combination of young guys and some veterans," said Erickson, who returned to the UI campus as the Vandals' head coach last Wednesday. "I spent a lot of time interviewing and talking to the staff here. I really felt they did a good job. I wanted to keep as many as I could."

Erickson retained the entire defensive staff with Jeff Mills assuming the defensive coordinator's role along with coaching the safeties. Alundis Brice remains the cornerbacks coach, while Johnny Nansen is with the linebackers and James Cregg is with the defensive linemen.

Offensively, Erickson is expected to bring in long-time colleague Gregg Smith, who was at UI with Erickson during his first go-round with the Vandals, as the offensive line coach and as his assistant head coach. UI grad Dan Cozzetto, who also was with Erickson at Idaho in the 1980s and at Oregon State, should fill Erickson's offensive coordinator position and serve as receivers coach. Jamie Christian, whose career includes stops at Northern Arizona, Oregon State, the San Francisco 49ers and Sacramento State, likely is the running backs coach.

Jonathan Smith, who played quarterback for Erickson at Oregon State, remains as the quarterbacks coach, while Jason Eck, who coached offensive line the past two seasons, will coach tight ends.

Contracts are pending State Board of Education approval.