The 2012 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Vandals were led by sixth-year head coach Robb Akey for the first eight games and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome. This was Idaho's final season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference; the WAC ceased to support football after the 2012 season, and Idaho played as an independent in football in 2013.[2]
After achieving a 20–50 (.286) record while head coach and a 1–7 record in 2012, Akey's contract was terminated on October 21. First-year offensive coordinator Jason Gesser was appointed interim head coach for the final four games,[3] in which the Vandals were winless.
Idaho finished the season 1–11, 1–5 in conference to finish in sixth place in the seven-team WAC. On December 3, Paul Petrino was hired as head coach for the 2013 season.