Prior to his time in Ames, Iowa, Stalker spent two seasons at his alma mater, Kent State, where he coached the outside linebackers in 2021 and was the linebackers coach in 2022.

He’s also spent time at Valdosta State (2019-20), Tiffin University (2014-18) and Oberlin College (2013).

“I’m fired up to have coach Stalker join the Vandal family,” Ford said in a news release. “He’s a brilliant defensive mind who has spent the last three years at Iowa State — a place that is known for its defensive excellence. … He brings a scheme that is multiple, allowing opportunities for a lot of different players to contribute, and will have carryover with a lot of the things we did well on defense in 2025.”

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Cal State Bakersfield 64, Idaho 63

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Vandals ended the 2025 portion of their season with a heartbreaking nonconference road loss to the Roadrunners.

Idaho’s 63 points scored were a season low, but the Vandals’ defense kept them in the game until the end.

A jumper in the paint by UI’s Brody Rowbury gave the Vandals (8-5) a 63-62 lead with just 15 seconds left.

But Cal State Bakersfield’s Ronald Jessamy hit a tough jumper from the top of the key with 2.2 seconds remaining to seal the win for the Roadrunners (6-8).

Rowbury was on a tear throughout the second half, going 8-of-12 (66%) from the floor and knocking down the two triples, tying for a game-high 20 points. The 6-foot-11 center also had nine rebounds.

Sophomore guard Kolton Mitchell pitched in 17 points and dished five assists for UI.

Biko Johnson added 13 points, and Jackson Rasmussen had eight points and eight rebounds.

CJ Hardy led Cal State Bakersfield with 20 points.

Next up, Idaho will play host to Eastern Washington at 2 p.m. Jan 3 at the ICCU Arena for “Don Monson Legacy Night.”

IDAHO (8-5)

Rasmussen 3-9 2-2 8, Rowbury 8-12 2-3 20, Blassingame 1-6 0-0 2, Johnson 3-9 5-6 13, Mitchell 6-16 3-4 17, Joba 1-2 0-0 3, Brickner 0-2 0-0 0, Klapper 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-58 12-15 63.

CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD (6-8)

Jessamy 4-8 0-3 8, Geneste 2-3 2-4 6, Hardy 8-15 1-1 20, Alexander 4-8 0-0 10, George 5-12 0-0 10, Price 2-7 0-0 6, K.Waller 0-0 0-0 0, B.Waller 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 27-56 3-8 64.

Halftime — Cal State Bakersfield 26-23. 3-Point Goals — Idaho 7-25 (Rowbury 2-4, Johnson 2-5, Mitchell 2-8, Joba 1-2, Blassingame 0-3, Rasmussen 0-3), Cal State Bakersfield 7-21 (Hardy 3-8, Price 2-4, Alexander 2-5, Jessamy 0-1, B.Waller 0-1, George 0-2). Rebounds — Idaho 31 (Rowbury 9), Cal State Bakersfield 33 (Geneste 13). Assists — Idaho 9 (Mitchell 5), Cal State Bakersfield 10 (George 4). Total Fouls — Idaho 8, Cal State Bakersfield 18. A — 259 (3,800).

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

Potlatch 53, Garfield-Palouse 39