MOSCOW, Idaho – Vandal head coach Jason Eck Friday announced the hire of Joe Tripodi as Offensive Line Coach. A veteran FBS O-Line coach, Tripodi comes to Idaho from Temple where he coached the last three seasons.
 
"My family and I would like to thank Coach Eck and Athletic Director Terry Gawlik for this opportunity," Tripodi said. "We are extremely excited to join the University of Idaho."
 
During his time at Temple, Tripodi coached All-American and Rimington Award Finalist Matt Hennessey. He also coached Jovahn Fair to All-Conference honors in 2019.
 
He came to Temple from Northern Illinois where he spent nine seasons, six as the Offensive Line Coach and three as the Run Game Coordinator.
 
"Joe is smart. He attended Northwestern, one of the best universities in the country. He has played the position, which is very important to me, especially at the Offensive Line," Eck said. "I've known him since he was a GA and have been impressed by his work and his development. He is a good football mind and will help us a lot with the development of the game plans, especially run games and protections. Our coaches will have recruiting areas, but I want him to focus on recruiting offensive linemen and getting the guys with the toughness and grit that we want in that room."
 
His offensive line helped pave the way for the Huskies to average 240 rushing yards per game, the best in the MAC in 2018. Over his last four years, the Huskies' offensive line ranked among the nation's best in fewest sacks allowed.
 
In his nine seasons working with the Huskies' offense, 15 of his players have earned All Mid-American Conference honors, including three in 2015. He has coached three All-Americans - Trevor Olson and Scott Wedige earned the recognition in 2011, while 2016 All-MAC tackle Max Scharping was a 2015 Freshman All-American.
 
Tripodi spent two seasons as a graduate assistant on the Huskies' coaching staff before serving as tight ends and fullbacks coach during NIU's 2012 MAC Championship season. He spent his first two GA seasons at NIU working with the offensive line and led the unit in the Huskies' 40-17 victory over Fresno State in the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl.
 
Before becoming a graduate assistant at NIU in 2010, he started as the defensive line coach at Chelsea High (Mich.), his alma mater, in 2008 and 2009.
 
Tripodi started at left guard for Northwestern in 2005 and 2006 and was a co-recipient of the 2006 Randy Walker Wildcat Award, given for work ethic, toughness, and warrior attitude.
 
"As an O-line coach myself, I am really picky about who I want in that position," Eck said. "Joe was my first choice for the job so we are very excited to get him and his wonderful family here and I think our guys will enjoy playing for him."
 
He graduated from Northwestern in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in communications and earned his master's in adult and higher education at NIU. Tripodi is married to the former Rachel Munoz, and they have two children: daughter Emma and son Roman.