Beginning at his alma mater, Montana State University, in 1971 under Sonny Holland, he became an offensive coordinator in 1974 at the University of Idaho under newly promoted head coach, Ed Troxel, and stayed for two seasons. In 1970 at age 23, he was the head coach at Billings Central Catholic High School, staying for just a single season.įrom 1971 to 1981 Erickson was a college assistant coach, working with the offense. Immediately after his senior season, Erickson began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Bobcats in 1969. He was an effective undersized quarterback from 1966 to 1968, earning all-conference honors in the Big Sky. While at Idaho, Erickson was 2–2 in conference play against Price's Weber teams, and at Oregon State, he was 2–1 against Price's Washington State teams.Įrickson graduated from EHS in 1965 and accepted a football scholarship to Montana State in Bozeman to play for head coach Jim Sweeney, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Six years earlier in 1981, Price had beaten Erickson out for the job at Weber State College in Ogden, Utah. Erickson had beaten out Price for the Washington State job in 1987. When Erickson left Washington State for Miami in 1989, he recommended Mike Price (who got the job) as his replacement, and Price rented Erickson's Pullman home.

Price, the son of the head coach of Everett Junior College, was moved to defense as a safety. This 'made for some quiet dinners on game day.' As a junior, Dennis was the starting quarterback, beating out the former starter, senior Mike Price, another future college head coach. The younger Erickson played quarterback at the rival Everett High, coached by next-door neighbor, Bill Dunn.

His father, Robert 'Pinky' Erickson, was the head football coach at Ferndale High School and later at Cascade High School in Everett.

State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame (2017)Įrickson was raised in Ferndale, Washington, 100 miles (160 km) north of Seattle, and in Everett, 25 miles (40 km) north of Seattle.

2× Sporting News College Football COY (1992, 2000).

Billings Central Catholic HS (MT) (1970)Ĭo-offensive coordinator/running backs coach.

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