What Is 1939 Idaho Vandals football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1939 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho during the 1939 college football season, finishing with a 4–5 record under head coach Ted Bank. They competed in the Pacific Coast Conference and played their home games at Neale Stadium in Moscow, Idaho.

Key Facts

The 1939 Idaho Vandals football team had a final record of 4 wins and 5 losses.
Head coach Ted Bank led the team for the fifth consecutive season in 1939.
The Vandals played their home games at Neale Stadium in Moscow, Idaho.
They were members of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) during the 1939 season.
The team scored a total of 97 points while allowing 104 points over nine games.

Overview

The 1939 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1939 college football season, competing as a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). Under the leadership of head coach Ted Bank, who was in his fifth year at the helm, the team finished with a 4–5 overall record, including a 1–4 mark in conference play.

The season reflected a transitional period for the program, as Idaho struggled to maintain consistency against stronger PCC opponents. Despite some promising performances, the Vandals failed to secure a winning season, marking their third consecutive year with a losing record under Bank’s guidance.

Record: The team finished the 1939 season with a 4–5 overall record and a 1–4 record in Pacific Coast Conference games.
Head Coach: Ted Bank led the Vandals for the fifth straight season, continuing efforts to rebuild the program after several losing campaigns.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Neale Stadium, a modest on-campus facility in Moscow, Idaho, with limited seating capacity.
Scoring Output: The Vandals scored 97 total points across nine games, averaging approximately 10.8 points per game.
Defensive Performance: Idaho allowed 104 points during the season, averaging about 11.6 points per game against some of the West Coast’s stronger teams.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 1939 season featured a mix of non-conference and PCC matchups, with the Vandals facing a challenging schedule that included regional powerhouses. Each game contributed to a broader narrative of struggle and resilience as Idaho sought its first winning season in years.

September 30, 1939: The Vandals opened with a 13–6 win over Gonzaga, showing early promise with a solid defensive effort.
October 7, 1939: A 21–0 loss to Oregon State highlighted the gap between Idaho and top-tier PCC teams.
October 14, 1939: Idaho bounced back with a 19–13 victory over Montana, securing a key in-state rivalry win.
October 28, 1939: A 20–0 defeat to Washington exposed offensive limitations against elite competition.
November 11, 1939: A 7–6 win over California was a major upset, marking one of the team’s most significant victories of the year.
November 25, 1939: The season concluded with a 20–7 loss to Washington State in the annual Battle of the Palouse rivalry game.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1939 Idaho Vandals' performance can be better understood when compared to other teams in the Pacific Coast Conference and their own recent history. The following table highlights key statistical and competitive metrics.

Team	Overall Record	PCC Record	Points For	Points Against
Idaho Vandals	4–5	1–4	97	104
Oregon Ducks	5–3–1	4–1–1	112	78
Washington Huskies	5–4	4–3	103	87
California Golden Bears	3–4–2	2–3–2	64	68
Washington State Cougars	3–5–1	3–3–1	98	92

This comparison shows that while Idaho’s record was slightly below average in the PCC, their scoring margin was competitive. The Vandals outperformed California in head-to-head play despite similar conference records, indicating potential for improvement.

Why It Matters

The 1939 season is a notable chapter in the history of Idaho football, reflecting both the challenges of mid-tier college programs and the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics in the pre-World War II era. These games contributed to the development of regional rivalries and laid groundwork for future conference realignments.

Historical Context: The 1939 season occurred just before World War II, which would soon disrupt college sports across the nation.
Program Development: Ted Bank’s tenure helped stabilize the Idaho program, even if winning seasons remained elusive.
Rivalry Games: Matches against Montana, Washington, and Washington State helped solidify long-standing regional rivalries.
Stadium Legacy: Neale Stadium hosted Vandal football until 1969, making the 1939 games part of its early history.
Conference Dynamics: As a PCC member, Idaho competed against teams that would later form the core of the Pac-12 Conference.
Statistical Benchmark: The 97 points scored in 1939 provided a baseline for measuring future offensive improvements.

Though not a championship-caliber season, the 1939 Idaho Vandals football team played a role in shaping the university’s athletic identity and contributed to the broader narrative of college football’s growth in the American Northwest.