THE SIDELINES : Coach Decides to Stay at Idaho

University of Idaho football Coach John L. Smith said today that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the head coaching job at New Mexico State University.

Smith, who had interviewed at the Las Cruces campus last weekend, returned Thursday from a recruiting trip in California and said he made his decision after discussing the situation with his wife, his coaching staff and Idaho Athletic Director Gary Hunter.

Smith was reportedly the leading candidate to replace Coach Mike Knoll, whose contract was not renewed after New Mexico State, a Division 1-A school, went 4-40 in his four-year tenure and lost all 11 games this season.