Northwest Notes July 17, 2026

Former Boise State football coach Setencich dies at 81

BOISE — Former Boise State head football coach Lyle Setencich, who led the Broncos from 1983-86, passed away on June 23. He was 81.

Setencich posted a 24-20 record in his four years as the Broncos’ head coach, including a 16-12 mark in Big Sky play. He served as the head coach of the program during Boise State’s first game on The Blue, defeating Humboldt State 74-0 on Sept. 13, 1986.

After spending a decade coaching in the high school ranks in California, Setencich originally joined the Broncos as the defensive backs coach in 1980 under Jim Criner. He was moved to defensive coordinator prior to the season, helping guide Boise State to the NCAA Division I-AA national championship, defeating Eastern Kentucky 31-29 in the title game. The Broncos reached the semifinal round the following season.

In total, Setencich spent three seasons as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. He was elevated to the head coaching position in 1983 when Criner departed for Iowa State.

His 24 victories as head coach are tied with Pokey Allen (1993-96) and current head coach Spencer Danielson for the ninth-most in program history. His 16 conference victories are also the ninth-most by a Boise State head coach.

Following his tenure in the Treasure Valley, Setencich spent seven years as the head coach at Cal Poly (1987-93), totaling a 41-29-2 record. He also had stints as an assistant coach at Pacific, Arizona State and California before ending his career as the defensive coordinator at Texas Tech (2003-07).

A former player, Setencich competed for two years at the College of the Sequoias before finishing his career with two seasons at Fresno State (1965-66).