Paul Petrino did not, as far as we are able to discern, find any spare assistants lurking in this overturned barrel. (AP)

By Holly Anderson

Friday night’s Idaho spring game was characterized sunnily in a school release that praised “a potent offense with a hungry, hard-hitting defense.” Today, the Vandals have found themselves still hungering on defense — for coaches. [SFX: CLOWN HORN] The school announced Monday that linebackers coach Mike Anderson and defensive line coach Patrick Libey have both left not just the Vandals, but football:

University of Idaho football assistants Mike Anderson and Patrick Libey have left the program to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Anderson was offered part ownership and is the manager of an start-up company in Lewiston. He said until the offer was presented, he never envisioned leaving coaching. [...] Libey has decided to pursue other career opportunities and extended his best wishes to Petrino and the Vandals.

Anderson and Libey were, according to Idaho’s athletic department, the only two Vandal alumni on Paul Petrino’s new staff.

DeWayne Walker set the coaching carousel spinning once more with his late departure from New Mexico State. (AP)

Tommy Tuberville’s sitting by the phone* and Jimmy Sexton’s got that particular sparkle in his eye. It can mean only one thing: The coach firin’ season is upon us once more. We’ll be tracking the carousel of progress, right here, for as long as it takes to stop spinning. Raise a glass to times past, won’t you? * Well, not anymore, but never tell us we don’t have the gift of very specific prophecy through throwaway jokes.

New Mexico State [updated 02.01.2013]

• Who’s out: DeWayne Walker, who jumps to the NFL with less than two weeks remaining between now and Signing Day. And not even for a coordinating gig: Walker will coach defensive backs for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Walker released the following statement through the athletic department: “I really appreciate the opportunity that Dr. Boston and New Mexico State gave me to be a Division I head football coach. Unfortunately, I did not get the program as far as I would have liked from a wins and losses standpoint. But, we do have a better locker room, better kids and a better foundation for the program moving forward. There are a lot of people that I want to thank for their support and will be reaching out to those individuals in the coming days. They have helped me in moving the program forward. I am excited about starting a new chapter in my coaching career, as is my family. I wish New Mexico State great success in the future and wish everyone the best. Go Aggies!” • Who’s in: Doug Martin — the one who played at Kentucky, not the one who played at Boise State. Although if Martin The Younger is really so opposed to his excellent nickname, we’re gonna refer to Martin The Elder as coach Muscle Hamster instead. It’s been a whirlwind courtship for Martin and the Aggies: He was announced as offensive coordinator on January 17, temporarily promoted to interim head coach on January 24 and will be officially announced as DeWayne Walker’s successor on Monday, February 4. Martin’s previous head coaching experience consists of a seven-year stint at Kent State, from 2004-2010. Read More…