Sources close to University of Idaho Athletics report that head football coach Paul Petrino and his staff will not be retained for the 2022 season, making the Vandals’ game this Saturday at Idaho State Petrino’s final outing as head coach of Idaho football.

The University of Idaho athletic department released a statement late Thursday evening confirming the departure of Paul Petrino, first reported by Tubs at the Club.

Additional sources report boosters have raised funds with the intention of paying out the remainder of Petrino’s contract. Our sources indicate the amount needed to payout the remainder of Petrino’s contract has been successfully raised.

Petrino coached the Vandals for nine seasons, compiling a 33-65 record. His best season came in 2016, the lone season in Petrino’s tenure the Vandals finished above .500 (9-4 overall, 6-2 in conference), which was capped with Idaho’s 61-50 win over Colorado State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Idaho was unable to match its 2016 success in Petrino’s following four seasons. In Idaho’s final FBS season in 2017, the Vandals finished 4-8. Expectations for Idaho remained high in 2018, when Idaho became the first school to drop down from FBS to FCS classification and rejoined the Big Sky Conference. Since becoming a Big Sky member, Petrino’s Vandals have not finished a season with more than three conference wins, including a 1-13 record in conference away games.

Petrino’s contract runs through June 30, 2022, with a base salary of $446,214.40.

Sources spoke to Tubs at the Club under the condition of anonymity.

The University of Idaho Athletic Department did not return multiple requests for comment.