Troy Purcell is in his third season with Idaho football. Purcell joined the Vandal staff in 2016 as the inside linebackers coach. In 2017, Purcell took over the tight ends and in the spring of 2018 added the responsibility of special teams coordinator.
In 2017, Purcell groomed Joe Wysocki into a red-zone target and developed all-conference linebacker Kaden Elliss into one of the best dual-threat players in the country by teaching him the tight end position. Of Wysocki's four catches, two went for touchdowns. Meanwhile, Elliss moonlighted as an offensive weapon, catching seven passes for 156 yards and two scores.
Purcell's move to Moscow reunited him with Paul Petrino. The duo's roots go back to their high school days as teammates and classmates at Helena’s Capital High School. Both graduated in 1986, and went on to play for Petrino's father, Bob, at Carroll College.
While Petrino headed to coach in the college ranks after graduating from Carroll, Purcell started on a path that led to an immensely successful career at three Montana high schools.
He capped his high school coaching career with his third state title at Bozeman High School. The championship wrapped up a 13-1 season and was Bozeman’s fourth state championship game appearance. Under Purcell, Bozeman, in 2010, won its first state title since 1917. It added another in 2013, capping a perfect season.
In addition to his success at Bozeman, Purcell also coached Havre to a state championship in 2004 – its first in 36 years.
Purcell and his wife, Krista, have one daughter, Brooklyn. In addition to his degree in elementary education and health enhancement, he has a master’s degree in learning development from Montana State-Northern.
