Vandals hire Shoemaker as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach

MOSCOW — Ian Shoemaker, whose stops include two seasons at Eastern Washington when Eric Barriere ran the Eagles' high-powered attack, has been named offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Idaho, Vandals head coach Thomas Ford Jr. announced. 

Shoemaker is expected to be formally introduced in a press conference following the completion of Idaho’s staff. Details on his introductory press conference will be finalized and distributed at a later date.

“Coach Shoemaker has a wealth of knowledge, has northwest roots, and has been a consistent winner at every stop he’s made," Ford said. "I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him on a professional level for over a decade and have always held him in the highest regard for his offensive innovation and quarterback development. I know that his expertise and experience in the Big Sky are going to bring a tremendous amount of excitement and points to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.”

At offensive coordinator, Shoemaker replaces Matt Linehan, who was OC for most of last season, before he and the Vandals parted ways after three years on the coaching staff.

Shoemaker has nearly 30 years of coaching experience at the FBS, FCS, and Division II levels. 

“Our goal offensively will be to be multiple in our approach, attacking defenses in a variety of ways to keep them off balance," Shoemaker said. "We will work relentlessly to put our student-athletes in the best position to succeed, focusing on both running the ball effectively and creating explosive plays in the passing game.”

Shoemaker joins Idaho from NCAA Division II Grand Valley State, where he served as offensive coordinator/quarterback coach in helping lead the Lakers to an 18-5 record over two seasons. In 2024, the Lakers were ranked in the top 25 nationally for total offense (24th) and scoring offense (14th). GVSU followed that up in 2025 by averaging over 400 yards per game and putting up nearly 40 points a game. 

Before his two seasons at GVSU, Shoemaker spent a couple of years as the co-offensive coordinator/quarterback coach in Hawaii.

During his stay at Eastern Washington, the Eagles were averaging 537 yards per game and putting up over 40 points per outing. Barriere was a Walter Payton Award finalist both seasons, winning in 2021 as the FCS Player of the Year.

Before making his first jump to the Division I ranks, Shoemaker was the head coach at Central Washington from 2014-2019, during which the Wildcats went 45-20. 

He spent six years at St. Cloud State, where he ran the offense from 2008-13. 

In addition to this experience, he also had coaching stops at Baldwin Wallace College, Kenyon College, Minot State, St. Mary and Western Washington.