Voice of the Bengals Scott Gross sits down with head football coach Cody Hawkins to break down Idaho State’s close loss at Weber State and preview the Bengals’ home matchup against Portland State. Hawkins discusses the quarterback change, efforts to jump-start the offense, and the challenges of adapting an injury-affected offensive line. He also highlights defensive leadership and the improvements needed on special teams as ISU looks to turn narrow losses into wins.
The conversation also spotlights ISU’s first Native American Heritage Game, honoring the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and their place in the region’s history and community. Recorded live at the Union Taproom in Old Town Pocatello, this episode offers a candid look at the Bengals’ preparations and Hawkins’ priorities for getting back on track.
In part two of this week’s ISU Coaches Show, Scott Gross welcomes Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros for an inside look at the projects shaping the future of Bengal athletics. Thiros discusses donor-funded plans for a new indoor track and multipurpose surface in the ICCU Dome, progress toward the proposed ICCU Bengal Arena, and updates on a sports performance complex designed to support student-athletes across ISU’s programs. She also explains the planning, fundraising, and approval steps behind these major facility investments.
The conversation explores how these projects could serve both the university and the broader community, alongside improvements to the football game-day experience. Thiros also shares her perspective on sustainability in college athletics, including fiscal responsibility, new revenue opportunities, and the challenges surrounding the transfer portal, name, image, and likeness agreements, and proposed federal legislation.
