- Larry Craig
Larry Edwin Craig (born July 20, 1945) is the senior United States Senator from Idaho. He is a member of the Republican Party, and has been a Senator since 1991; he was a U.S. Representative from 1981 to 1991.
- Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908-August 31, 2002), was a jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first real jazz vibraphone players. "Hamp" ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy Rich to Charlie Parker and Quincy Jones.
- Sami Omar Al-Hussayen
Sami Omar Al-Hussayen, a native of Saudi Arabia and graduate student in Computer Science at the University of Idaho, is a webmaster whose actions placed him at the center of a Patriot Act lawsuit. Allegedly a major force within the Islamic Assembly of North America, Al-Hussayen ran websites that allegedly recruited, funded, and otherwise supported Islamic terrorists within the United States.
- Scott Minnich
Scott A. Minnich is an associate professor of microbiology at the University of Idaho, and a fellow at the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. Minnich's research interests are temperature regulation of "Yestis enterocolitca" gene expression and coordinate reciprocal expression of flagellar and virulence genes.
- Jim Risch
James E. "Jim" Risch (born May 3, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former Governor of Idaho. He succeeded to the office on May 26, 2006 when his predecessor, Dirk Kempthorne, resigned to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Risch is a rancher, attorney, and politician from Ada County. He was the first Catholic to become governor of the State of Idaho. Currently he is Lieutenant Governor of Idaho.
- Robb Akey
Robb Akey (born July 24, 1966) is an American football coach, named the head coach at the University of Idaho on December 20, 2006, by athletic director Rob Spear. Akey succeeds Dennis Erickson, who left his second stint at Idaho after just ten months for Arizona State of the Pac-10. Erickson was preceded by Nick Holt, who voluntarily departed after only two seasons, compiling nine losses in each. The Idaho Vandals joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2005.
- George Pfeifer
George Pfeifer is the head men's basketball coach at the University of Idaho.
- Nick Holt
Nick Holt (born October 15, 1962) is an American football coach, currently the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach of the USC Trojans. He was formerly the head coach of the University of Idaho Vandals. Nick Holt attended high school at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, where he played football and baseball. He attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where he played linebacker.
- John L. Smith
John L. Smith (b. November 15, 1948) was an American football coach, most recently the head coach at Michigan State. He was previously the head coach at Louisville, Utah State, and Idaho. Smith was born in Idaho Falls and raised in nearby Iona. He lettered in football, basketball, and track at Bonneville High School, graduating in 1967. He played college football at Weber State College in Ogden, Utah, as both a linebacker and quarterback.
- Scott Linehan
Scott Thomas Linehan (born September 17, 1963) was named head coach of the St. Louis Rams on January 19, 2006. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and the Minnesota Vikings for three seasons (2002-04). Scott Linehan was born and raised in Sunnyside, Washington, the son of a high school principal and the youngest of seven children.
- Tom Cable
Thomas Lee (Tom) Cable, Jr, (b. 1964) is an American football coach, currently the offensive line coach for the NFL's Oakland Raiders, under head coach Lane Kiffin. Tom Cable was previously the offensive line coach for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons during Jim Mora's coaching tenure, and before that was offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins (2004-05) under head coach Karl Dorrell. He was the head coach at the University of Idaho, his alma mater, …
- Robert Wrigley
Robert Wrigley is a contemporary American poet. His poetry often takes place in and draws meaning from the natural world. His most recent book is "Earthly Meditations: New and Selected Poems" (Penguin Group, 2006). Other collections include "Lives of the Animals" (2003); "Reign of Snakes" (1999), …
- Dan O'Brien
Daniel ("Dan") Dion O'Brien (born July 18, 1966 in Portland, Oregon) is a former American decathlete. He was deemed one of the best decathlon athletes of the 1990s. In 1992 he set a world record of 8,891 points, but failed to qualify for that year's Olympics when he failed to clear a height in the pole vault during the decathlon in the U.S. Olympic Trials. Dan O'Brien grew up as an adopted child in an Irish-American family in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
- Carol Ryrie Brink
Carol Ryrie Brink (1895-1981) was a United States author of children's fiction. Her novel "Caddie Woodlawn" won the 1936 Newbery Medal.
- Steve Symms
Steven Douglas Symms was an American congressman (1973–1981) and U.S. senator (1981–1993) from the state of Idaho. He was among the most conservative members of the Republican Party. He currently works for Parry, Romani & DeConcini, a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. Symms attended public schools in Canyon County and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1956. He attended the University of Idaho in Moscow and graduated in 1960, with a B.S. in agriculture.
- W. Mark Felt
William Mark Felt, Sr. (born August 17 1913) is a former agent of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, who retired in 1973 as the Bureau's Associate Director. After thirty years of denying his involvement with reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Felt revealed himself on May 31, 2005, to be the Watergate scandal whistleblower called "Deep Throat". Felt worked in several FBI field offices prior to his promotion to the Bureau's Washington headquarters.
- James A. McClure
James Albertus "Jim" McClure (born December 27, 1924 in Payette, Idaho) is an American politician from the state of Idaho, most notably serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate. McClure attended public schools in Payette. Upon turning 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. McClure graduated from the Navy Program at the University of Idaho-Southern Branch (now Idaho State University) in 1943.
- Don Monson
Donald "Don" Monson (born April 1933 in Menahga, Minnesota) is a former American college basketball coach and the father of basketball coach Dan Monson. He was a high school head coach for 18 seasons and college head coach for 14 seasons: five at Idaho and nine at Oregon.
- Robert E. Smylie
Robert Eben Smylie (born October 31, 1914 in Marcus, Iowa - died July 17, 2004 in Boise, Idaho) was a politician and attorney from Idaho. He served as governor of Idaho from 1955 to 1967. He was a member of the Idaho Republican Party. Smylie began practicing law in Washington, D.C. but left his practice in 1942 to join the United States Coast Guard. He returned to practice in 1946.
- Mark Schlereth
Mark Schlereth (born January 25, 1966 in Anchorage, Alaska) is a former American football player and current television sportscaster. Schlereth played guard for the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently a football analyst for ESPN on "NFL Live", "Sportscenter", and other programs. He is a frequent guest and occasional fill-in host on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning".
- Bobby Petrino
Bernard "Bobby" Petrino (born March 10, 1961 in Lewistown, Montana) is the 13th head coach in the history of the Atlanta Falcons. Petrino grew up in Helena, Montana, and graduated from Carroll College with degrees in math and physical education in 1983. While at Carroll College, he played quarterback and began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant during the 1983 season. The next year, he moved to Weber State University, …
- Yo Murphy
Llewellyn "Yo" Murphy (born May 11, 1971 in San Pedro, California) is an American gridiron football player, currently playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He is a wide receiver. Murphy attended college at the University of Idaho. In 1992 he was signed by the British Columbia Lions where he won the 1994 Grey Cup. Between 1995 and 1999 he played for the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. In 1996 he was named World Bowl MVP.
- Keith Gilbertson
Keith Gilbertson (born May 15, 1948 in Snohomish, Washington) is an American football coach. He was the head coach for the University of Washington from 2003-04, where his record was 7-16 (.304). His previous head coaching experience was at California (1993-96, 20-26 (.435)), and Idaho (1986-88, 28-9 (.757)), then in Division I-AA. His overall record as a collegiate head coach stands at 55-51 (.519). He was previously an assistant coach at Washington (1999-2002 & 1989-92), …
- Arden L. Bement Jr.
Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr. (born May 22, 1932 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American engineer and scientist, and is currently Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Bement was confirmed as NSF Director on November 24, 2004, after having served as Acting Director since February 22 of that year. He joined NSF from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he had been Director since December 7, 2001.
- John Friesz
John Melvin Friesz (born May 19, 1967 in Missoula, Montana) is a former professional American football quarterback in the NFL. Friesz grew up in Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. He was a football standout at Coeur d'Alene High School, graduating in 1985. He enrolled at the University of Idaho, recruited by head coach Dennis Erickson, after attending the Vandal football camps while in high school.
- Hec Edmundson
Clarence S. "Hec" Edmundson was a college men's basketball coach. The Moscow, Idaho, USA native coached at the University of Idaho (1916-1918) and the University of Washington (1920-1947), compiling a 508-204 (.713) overall record over 29 seasons. Edmunson also served on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee from 1941 to 1946. The basketball building at the University of Washington is named Hec Edmundson Pavilion in his honor.
- Daniel Orozco
Daniel Orozco is a writer of fiction known primarily for his short stories. His works have appeared in anthologies such as "The Best American Short Stories" and "The Pushcart Prize Anthology" as well as magazines such as "Harper's" and "Zeotrope". He is a former Stegner Fellow of Stanford University and currently teaches creative writing at the University of Idaho.
- Jake Scott
Jake Scott (born April 16, 1981 in Lewiston, Idaho) is an American football offensive guard who played college football at the University of Idaho, where he received a degree in Civil Engineering. He is currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Jake Scott
Jake Scott (born April 16, 1981 in Lewiston, Idaho) is an offensive guard for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL. He is 6'5" and weighs 295 pounds. He attended Lewiston High School and the University of Idaho. He was on the 2004 Football Digest All-Rookie Team.
- Larry Eustachy
Larry Eustachy (born December 1, 1955 in Alameda, California) is the current head coach of The University of Southern Mississippi's men's basketball team. He was hired as head coach on March 25, 2004. He had previously been head coach of the men's basketball teams at the University of Idaho (1990-1993), Utah State (1993-1998) and Iowa State (1998-2003). Eustachy won the AP National Coach of the Year after leading Iowa State to the Elite Eight in the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
- Wayne Walker
Wayne Harrison Walker (born September 30, 1936 in Boise, Idaho) is a former professional football player and sports broadcaster. He played outside linebacker for the Detroit Lions for fifteen seasons from 1958-1972. Wearing #55, he played in 200 regular season games as a 6'2", 225 lb. linebacker, the most ever at that position. Walker was raised in Boise, and passed on an offer to play professional baseball in order to play college football at the University of Idaho, …
- Douglas Q. Adams
Douglas Q. Adams is a professor of English at the University of Idaho and an Indo-European comparativist.
- Bill Fagerbakke
William "Bill" Fagerbakke (born October 4, 1957, in Fontana, California) is an American actor. 6.5 feet tall, Fagerbakke played football and appeared on television in such roles as Assistant Coach "Dauber" Dybinski on "Coach", in movies, including "Funny Farm", and several on-and-off Broadway stage shows. He had a memorable and well-cast role, appearing almost precisely as described in the novel, …
- Kristin Armstrong
Kristin Armstrong (born August 11, 1973) is a professional road bicycle racer. She rides for Team Lipton in women's elite professional events on the National Racing Calendar (NRC) and UCI Women's World Cup. Armstrong lives in Boise, Idaho and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sports physiology from the University of Idaho. She is often confused with Lance Armstrong's ex-wife who is also named Kristin (Kik).
- Kaniel Dickens
Kaniel Dickens (born July 21, 1978, in Denver, Colorado) is a professional basketball player who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 2nd round (50th pick) in the 2000 NBA Draft. Dickens was signed as a free agent by the Portland Trail Blazers on 12/19/2003 and appeared in 3 games for them during the 2003-04 season. He signed a 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets on 01/05/2005 and saw action in 11 games. He played his college ball at the University of Idaho.
- Jim Norton
James Charles Norton was an American football strong safety who played for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. Norton played college football at the University of Idaho. Drafted by the AFL's Dallas Texans, he signed as an original Houston Oiler in 1960. Although he intercepted only one pass in his first year, he went on to become the American Football League’s all-time interception leader.
- Philip Habib
Philip Charles Habib (February 25, 1920-May 25, 1992) was an American career diplomat known for work in Vietnam, South Korea and the Middle East. The "New York Times" in observing his passing described him as "the outstanding professional diplomat of his generation in the United States". Habib was born in Brooklyn and raised there in section of the borough known as Bensonhurst, by Lebanese Maronite Christian parents.
- Mike Hollis
Michael Shane Hollis (born May 22, 1972 in Kellogg, Idaho), is a former professional football placekicker. Hollis was the kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars for seven seasons, beginning in 1995, and for the Buffalo Bills in 2002. He was signed by the New York Giants but missed the 2003 season after being placed on injured reserve. He never recovered from the injury and failed his physical, and has not resumed his NFL career.
- Pat Fitzgerald
Pat Fitzgerald is the current head coach of the Northwestern University Wildcats football team. He was selected after the unexpected death of Randy Walker and announced at a press conference on July 7, 2006. He was 31 at the time of his appointment, making him the youngest coach in the Big Ten Conference and in NCAA Division I-A football by five years. Fitzgerald starred at Linebacker for the Wildcats in the mid-1990's, helping to lead the team to the 1996 Rose Bowl, …
- Claude King
Claude King (born February 5, 1923 in Keithville, Louisiana near the city of Shreveport) is an American country music singer and songwriter. At a young age, he was interested in music but his primary interest was athletics. He purchased a guitar at the age of 12 and although he learned to play it, most of his time was devoted to sports. This eventually resulted in being offered a baseball scholarship to the University of Idaho at Moscow.