Chris Tormey
Encyclopedia
Chris Tormey is an American football
coach
. Formerly the head coach
at Idaho
and Nevada
, he is currently an assistant at Washington State
, coaching the linebackers. Tormey was an assistant coach for 16 seasons at Washington
, 1984–94 and 2004-08; he also spent two seasons as a UW graduate assistant (1980-81).
and attended high school at Gonzaga Prep
. He played college football
at the University of Idaho
in Moscow
, where he was an all-conference (Big Sky
) linebacker (1976
-77
) and three-year letter winner for the Vandals
under head coach Ed Troxel
. He received a bachelor's degree
in education in 1978.
of the NFL
, then began his coaching career as a high school assistant back at Gonzaga Prep
, where he also taught geography
. In 1980
his collegiate coaching career began as a graduate assistant
at Washington
in Seattle, a position he left in 1982
to coach the defensive line at his alma mater
, serving under newly-hired Idaho Vandals
' head coach Dennis Erickson
.
After two years on the Palouse
, Tormey returned to the Huskies
in Seattle, where he would remain for 11 seasons, 1984
-94
, coaching tight end
s, linebacker
s, and the secondary
for Don James and Jim Lambright
. UW shared the national championship (with Miami
) in 1991
. For the 1994
season Tormey was named acting defensive coordinator
.
left Idaho
and Tormey returned to Moscow
to succeed him as head coach. Tormey's first season in 1995 was the Vandals' last in the Big Sky
and Division I-AA; Idaho joined the Big West
in Division I-A in 1996
.
In his five seasons at the helm in Moscow, Tormey compiled a 33-23 record (.589), including the Vandals' first-ever bowl
appearance in 1998
in the Humanitarian Bowl
, a 42-35 victory over 17-point favorite Southern Mississippi
. The Vandals earned the bowl berth by winning the Big West
title with a dramatic one-point overtime win over rival Boise State
, on the road in Bronco Stadium
in Boise
. The bowl victory propelled Idaho to an impressive 9-3 record in 1998
, their third season back in Division I-A, and Tormey was named Coach of the Year in the Big West
.
The Vandals went 7-4 in 1999
, including a 28-17 win over neighboring Washington State
, eight miles (13 km) to the west. It was Idaho's first football victory over the Cougars since 1965
in the Battle of the Palouse
.
season, Tormey moved south to Reno
to coach the Nevada Wolf Pack
, which was leaving the Big West
to join the WAC
. Tormey was the head coach for four seasons (2000
-03
), compiling a 16-31 record (.340). He succeeded Jeff Tisdel
, a former All-American quarterback
for the Wolf Pack. While Tormey's win totals improved each season (2,3,5,6), he was released from the fifth and final season of his contract at the end of the 2003 season, the final game marked by a 56-3 blowout loss at Boise State
. Most notably, Tormey failed to defeat bitter in-state rival UNLV
in the annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon
, but his Nevada team did defeat the Washington Huskies
28-17 in Seattle that final season. Nevada's athletic director Chris Ault
hired himself to succeed Tormey, his third stint as head coach of the Wolf Pack.
in 2004 as a defensive assistant under head coach Keith Gilbertson
, and stayed on with the new coach Tyrone Willingham
, becoming the recruiting coordinator.
season, Tormey joined head coach Greg McMackin
at Hawai'i
as an assistant coach for two seasons.
in 2011
, joining the Washington State
staff as the linebackers coach under fourth-year head coach Paul Wulff
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. Formerly the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
at Idaho
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
and Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
, he is currently an assistant at Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, coaching the linebackers. Tormey was an assistant coach for 16 seasons at Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
, 1984–94 and 2004-08; he also spent two seasons as a UW graduate assistant (1980-81).
Early years
Tormey grew up in SpokaneSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
and attended high school at Gonzaga Prep
Gonzaga Preparatory School
Gonzaga Preparatory School located in Spokane, Washington is a private Catholic high school in the Inland Northwest. As a Jesuit institution, "G-Prep" has been recognized for its college preparation education, and community service.- History :...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
in Moscow
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
, where he was an all-conference (Big Sky
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
) linebacker (1976
1976 college football season
The 1976 college football season ended with a championship for the Panthers of the University of Pittsburgh. Coached by Johnny Majors , the Pitt Panthers brought a college football championship to the home of the defending pro football champions, the Steelers. Pitt also had the Heisman Trophy...
-77
1977 college football season
The 1977 college football season was one in which the top five teams all finished with records of 11-1-0. Notre Dame, which beat a #1 ranked Texas team in the Cotton Bowl Classic, became the national champion. The year 1977 was the last before NCAA's Division I was divided into I-A and I-AA...
) and three-year letter winner for the Vandals
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
under head coach Ed Troxel
Ed Troxel
-External links:* - Ed Troxel - Idaho - 1974-77...
. He received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in education in 1978.
Assistant coach
Tormey had a brief stop with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
of the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, then began his coaching career as a high school assistant back at Gonzaga Prep
Gonzaga Preparatory School
Gonzaga Preparatory School located in Spokane, Washington is a private Catholic high school in the Inland Northwest. As a Jesuit institution, "G-Prep" has been recognized for its college preparation education, and community service.- History :...
, where he also taught geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
. In 1980
1980 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Georgia take its first national title since World War II.The Georgia Bulldogs starred freshman running back Herschel Walker, who made his NCAA debut against Tennessee. Down 15-2 at halftime, Georgia sent in Walker, the third string running back at the...
his collegiate coaching career began as a graduate assistant
Graduate assistant
A graduate assistant is a position who serves in a support role at a university, usually while completing post-graduate education. The individual typically assists professors or with instructional responsibilities as teaching assistants, coaches with an athletic team, or university department...
at Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
in Seattle, a position he left in 1982
1982 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Paul "Bear" Bryant retire as head coach at Alabama with 323 career victories in 38 seasons.The Penn State Nittany Lions won their first consensus national championship, closing out an 11-1 season by defeating Georgia and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel...
to coach the defensive line at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, serving under newly-hired Idaho Vandals
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
' head coach Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
.
After two years on the Palouse
Palouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
, Tormey returned to the Huskies
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
in Seattle, where he would remain for 11 seasons, 1984
1984 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Brigham Young University winning their first national championship by beating an unranked Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl...
-94
1994 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season saw yet another controversial finish as both Nebraska and Penn State finished undefeated, and yet Penn State finished a distant second in the final AP and UPI polls. The controversial finish, however, could have been an even worse morass if not for some...
, coaching tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s, linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
s, and the secondary
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
for Don James and Jim Lambright
Jim Lambright
James "Jim" Lambright is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Washington for six seasons from 1993 to 1998, compiling a record of 44–25–1...
. UW shared the national championship (with Miami
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
) in 1991
1991 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a split champion for the second consecutive season. Both the Miami Hurricanes and the Washington Huskies finished the season undefeated and with the top ranking in a nationally recognized poll...
. For the 1994
1994 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season saw yet another controversial finish as both Nebraska and Penn State finished undefeated, and yet Penn State finished a distant second in the final AP and UPI polls. The controversial finish, however, could have been an even worse morass if not for some...
season Tormey was named acting defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
.
Idaho
Following the 1994 season, John L. SmithJohn L. Smith
John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino...
left Idaho
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
and Tormey returned to Moscow
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
to succeed him as head coach. Tormey's first season in 1995 was the Vandals' last in the Big Sky
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
and Division I-AA; Idaho joined the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
in Division I-A in 1996
1996 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Florida Gators crowned National Champions, but not as unanimously as the Bowl Alliance would have hoped....
.
In his five seasons at the helm in Moscow, Tormey compiled a 33-23 record (.589), including the Vandals' first-ever bowl
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
appearance in 1998
1998 Idaho Vandals football team
The 1998 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1998 college football season. The Vandals, led by fourth-year head coach Chris Tormey, were members of the Big West Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow,...
in the Humanitarian Bowl
1998 Humanitarian Bowl
The 1998 Humanitarian Bowl was the second edition of the bowl game. It featured the and the Idaho Vandals, the champions of the Big West Conference. Idaho upset Southern Miss 42-35, after entering as a 17 point underdog....
, a 42-35 victory over 17-point favorite Southern Mississippi
Southern Miss Golden Eagles football
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Southern Mississippi in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Eagles are members of Conference USA and player their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi...
. The Vandals earned the bowl berth by winning the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
title with a dramatic one-point overtime win over rival Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
, on the road in Bronco Stadium
Bronco Stadium
Bronco Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Boise, Idaho, the home field of the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference. Since 1997, it has hosted the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Bronco Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Boise, Idaho, the home field of the Boise State Broncos...
in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
. The bowl victory propelled Idaho to an impressive 9-3 record in 1998
1998 Idaho Vandals football team
The 1998 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1998 college football season. The Vandals, led by fourth-year head coach Chris Tormey, were members of the Big West Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow,...
, their third season back in Division I-A, and Tormey was named Coach of the Year in the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
.
The Vandals went 7-4 in 1999
1999 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida State became the first team in history to start out preseason #1 and remain there through the entire season. Their 12-0 season gave them 109 victories in the...
, including a 28-17 win over neighboring Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, eight miles (13 km) to the west. It was Idaho's first football victory over the Cougars since 1965
1965 in sports
1965 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* AFL Championship Buffalo Bills won 23-0 over the San Diego Chargers* NFL Championship – Green Bay Packers won 23-12 over the Cleveland Browns on January 2, 1966-England:...
in the Battle of the Palouse
Battle of the Palouse
The Battle of the Palouse is an American college football rivalry between the Washington State University Cougars and the University of Idaho Vandals. The name of the rivalry is derived from the "Palouse", the rolling agricultural region in which both schools are located...
.
Nevada
Following the 19991999 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida State became the first team in history to start out preseason #1 and remain there through the entire season. Their 12-0 season gave them 109 victories in the...
season, Tormey moved south to Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
to coach the Nevada Wolf Pack
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
, which was leaving the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
to join the WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
. Tormey was the head coach for four seasons (2000
2000 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Oklahoma Sooners claiming their first national championship and their first conference championship since the departure of head coach Barry Switzer....
-03
2003 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate....
), compiling a 16-31 record (.340). He succeeded Jeff Tisdel
Jeff Tisdel
-Junior college:-External links:*...
, a former All-American quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Wolf Pack. While Tormey's win totals improved each season (2,3,5,6), he was released from the fifth and final season of his contract at the end of the 2003 season, the final game marked by a 56-3 blowout loss at Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
. Most notably, Tormey failed to defeat bitter in-state rival UNLV
UNLV Rebels football
The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association...
in the annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon
Fremont Cannon
The Fremont Cannon is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Battle for Nevada, a college football rivalry game between the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The trophy was built in 1970 and is a replica of a 19th century Howitzer cannon that accompanied...
, but his Nevada team did defeat the Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
28-17 in Seattle that final season. Nevada's athletic director Chris Ault
Chris Ault
Chris Ault is the current college football head coach of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack. Ault, along with John Gagliardi, is one of two active coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame....
hired himself to succeed Tormey, his third stint as head coach of the Wolf Pack.
Back to Washington
Tormey was quickly rehired at WashingtonWashington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
in 2004 as a defensive assistant under head coach Keith Gilbertson
Keith Gilbertson
Keith Gilbertson, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. He is currently a scout with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL...
, and stayed on with the new coach Tyrone Willingham
Tyrone Willingham
Lionel Tyrone "Ty" Willingham is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Stanford University , the University of Notre Dame , and the University of Washington , compiling a career college football record of 76–88–1.-Early career:Willingham attended...
, becoming the recruiting coordinator.
Hawai'i
Following the dismissal of Willingham after Washington's winless 2008season, Tormey joined head coach Greg McMackin
Greg McMackin
-References:...
at Hawai'i
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
as an assistant coach for two seasons.
Washington State
Tormey returned to the mainland and the PalousePalouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
in 2011
2011 Washington State Cougars football team
The 2011 Washington State Cougars football team represents Washington State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by fourth year head coach Paul Wulff and play their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington...
, joining the Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
staff as the linebackers coach under fourth-year head coach Paul Wulff
Paul Wulff
-External links:*...
.
Head coaching record
External links
- WSU Cougars.com - Chris Tormey
- Go Huskies.com - Chris Tormey biography
- College Football Data Warehouse - Chris Tormey - head coaching records